Maoshan Makou Crabs

Maoshan Makou Crabs

　　Maoshan Makou Crabs

　　　　There are many types of crabs, including sea crabs, river crabs, lake crabs, and stream crabs. River crabs are at their plumpest around the Beginning of Autumn solar term. There’s a saying: “The pointed ones in July (lunar calendar), the round ones in August,” and “By the Double Ninth Festival in September, crab roe flows golden.” Crab roe refers to the ovaries and digestive glands inside the crab, bright orange in color and delicious in taste. The area around Maoshan and Makou Lake in Guangji, at the junction of Hubei’s Qichun and Xishui counties, is famous for its abundant crab production and has a long-standing reputation. Dishes such as crab roe tofu, crab roe shark’s fin, and crab roe catfish made with crab roe from Maoshan and Makou are considered delicacies in local high-end banquets.