Chaozhou Red Crab

Chaozhou Red Crab

　　Chaozhou Red Crab

　　This crab is the Chaozhou gao xie, scientifically named the blue swimming crab, and is a famous seafood product of Chaozhou, Guangdong. Gao xie are female crabs with the fullest ovaries; females that have been fertilized but whose ovaries are not very plump are called "mother crabs"; those with slightly plump ovaries are called "flower crabs"; and male crabs are used only for stir-frying and are grouped with unfertilized female crabs under the term "meat crabs." Among female crabs caught at sea, few have fully plump ovaries, so they undergo artificial fattening to become "gao xie." Well-raised gao xie have thick legs, plump meat, and rich, creamy roe. When steamed, they are extraordinarily delicious and highly nutritious.