Yingkou hairy crabs

Yingkou hairy crabs

Yingkou hairy crabs are a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Yingkou hairy crabs, scientifically known as the Chinese mitten crab, are called river crabs in the north and commonly referred to as hairy crabs in the south. They belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustacea, order Decapoda, suborder Pleocyemata, family Varunidae, genus Eriocheir, and are one of China’s most famous freshwater crabs, also being the most abundantly produced in the country. The growth characteristics of Yingkou hairy crabs are: born in seawater, raised in freshwater. Due to their proximity to the Bohai Sea's Liaodong Bay, they benefit from vast sea areas and ample seawater, which allow them to be “born.” Meanwhile, the abundant freshwater resources and lush aquatic vegetation on land enable them to grow.

　　 Characteristics

　　　　Yingkou hairy crabs are a higher-order crustacean, classified under the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustacea, order Decapoda, suborder Pleocyemata, family Varunidae, subfamily Eriocheirinae, and genus Eriocheir. They originate from Panjin City, Liaoning Province, China. The main characteristics of Yingkou hairy crabs are their nearly round body, flat carapace that is slightly wider than long. In the juvenile stage, the carapace has few spots, the body is dark bluish-black, and the abdomen is silvery-white. As adults, the carapace is dark bluish-black or yellowish-black, and the abdomen is white. There are four frontal teeth, the middle two are sharp, and the angle of their “V” shape is an acute or right angle less than or equal to 90°. The fourth lateral tooth is smaller than that of the Yangtze River crab, and the end of the second walking leg’s merus does not reach the eye socket line. The setae on the legs are fine, dense, and light brown or yellow. When steamed or boiled, the carapace often turns deep red.

　　 Habits

　　　　Yingkou hairy crabs exhibit two types of living behavior: burrowing and hiding. Each burrow may house a single crab or, when larger, several crabs of varying sizes in a row. These crabs are omnivorous, primarily feeding on aquatic plants, fish, shrimp, shellfish, aquatic insects, and worms. However, they will also consume decaying organic matter, animal carcasses, and artificial feed, and in times of food scarcity, they may resort to cannibalism or eat their own eggs. Generally, however, plant-based food is more readily available and forms the bulk of their diet. Although they grow in freshwater rivers, Yingkou hairy crabs are born in brackish shallows where fresh and saltwater meet. After mid-autumn each year, they migrate in groups toward the sea, where they mate, lay eggs, and hatch in shallow offshore waters. By late spring to early summer the following year, the young crabs migrate upstream with the tides into freshwater rivers to continue growing, gradually maturing into adult crabs.

　　 Nutritional Value

　　　　Yingkou hairy crabs have tender, uniquely flavored meat that is rich in nutrients and distinct from southern hairy crabs. The crab meat contains various nutrients such as vitamin A, protein, sugars, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It also offers medicinal benefits including nourishing tendons, invigorating qi, improving digestion, and unblocking meridians. Yingkou hairy crabs can be prepared in many ways—steamed, boiled, pickled alive, mashed into paste, or made into crab tofu and drunken crab, all of which enhance their deliciousness. The crabs are at their plumpest around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Sitting by the crab fields, steaming the crabs while enjoying the fragrance of rice paddies is a truly delightful experience.