Weizhou Sea Cucumber

Weizhou Sea Cucumber

　　The sea cucumbers produced in Beihai are mainly flowerback sea cucumbers. The main producing area is Weizhou Island. Known for their rich nutrition, these spiny sea cucumbers have long enjoyed a good reputation and are exported both domestically and internationally, making them one of China's Eight Treasures of Seafood.  

　　The sea cucumbers that Beihai produces abundantly are mainly flowerback sea cucumbers, with Weizhou Island being the primary producing area. These spiny sea cucumbers are rich in nutrients and are considered one of China’s Eight Treasures of Seafood. They nourish the kidneys and invigorate yang, benefit the kidneys and lungs, warm yang and promote urination. They are used to treat erectile dysfunction, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, and seminal emission caused by kidney yang deficiency. They also help with tuberculosis, coughing, chronic wheezing, and phlegm in cases of lung exhaustion. Used for conditions involving kidney yang damage and water retention.

　　Flowerback sea cucumbers are generally 30 to 40 centimeters in length, with bodies slightly shaped like square columns. Their backs are scattered with numerous conical flesh spines. The ventral side has tube feet arranged in three longitudinal bands, with the middle band being the widest. There are twenty tentacles around the mouth. Body colors are mostly dark yellow with varying shades of olive spots, yellow-gray with brownish mesh patterns, or dark green patterns. The tips of the flesh spines may sometimes be tinged with red. Dried specimens are nearly cylindrical and slightly flattened. Both sides are relatively flat, with thicker and harder skin on coarser specimens, and the coarse skin layer features small granules. Colors range from blue-yellow to some with white rings. Grading is usually based on individual weight. Grade one weighs over 125 grams per piece, grade two over 50 grams, and grade three over 30 grams. High-quality specimens have intact bodies, straight body lines, uniformly thick and plump flesh, no internal damage, and are not flattened. Those with relatively intact bodies, uniform thickness but not perfectly straight, collapsed flesh with dents, cuts, and damaged interiors are considered lower quality.