What are the culinary differences between Chinese Mitten Crabs and Blue Crabs?
- I wonder why Chinese mitten crabs are a delicacy in Chinese food, while most people in Europe and US don't eat them even though there are many of them now in these two places? For example, in Germany, mitten crabs are only caught for exporting to China.
- In US, why are blue crabs popular and valued while Chinese mitten crabs are not? On the food safety side, are the two species both safe to eat?
Thanks!
Best Answer
As a Chinese, who have had many mitten crabs in my life, I think I can provide 2 insights:
In Chinese culinary culture, it's not only meat that's the most appreciated, but rather the taste, texture and the freshness especially with seafood.
Mitten crabs during the autumn season contains a lot of eggs under the shell. The flavour of the eggs are what's appreciated as well.
Mitten crabs (not sure in the US) are safe to be consumed from food safety perspective as long as it's being cooked properly like any other seafood.
Pictures about "What are the culinary differences between Chinese Mitten Crabs and Blue Crabs?"
Are Chinese mitten crabs good to eat?
If you ask Chinese people what makes their mouths water in autumn, Chinese mitten crab would be top of the list. The seasonal delicacy is precious, umami and nutrition-inspired with large quantities of proteins, calcium, vitamins and crab erythropoietin.What is the problem with Chinese mitten crab?
These crabs are aggressive and may compete with our popular native blue crab in the Hudson River. Their burrowing habits may threaten stream bank and earthen dam stability and promote erosion and habitat loss.How do you identify Chinese mitten crabs?
The main identifying features of the mitten crab are the dense patches of hairs on the white-tipped claws of larger juveniles and adults, hence the name mitten crab. The claws are equal in size, the shell (carapace) has four spines on either side, and reaches a width of approximately 3 inches (80 mm).What is the Chinese mitten crab also known as?
(Chinese mitten crab)Why hairy crab is all the craze in China
More answers regarding what are the culinary differences between Chinese Mitten Crabs and Blue Crabs?
Answer 2
I'm not sure about the culinary differences, but I've heard that mitten crabs are a bit sweeter (although I think they may have less meat).
As for why they're not more popular, at least in the US mitten crabs are considered an invasive species (i.e., they take over the habitats of the native species, like blue crabs, thus lowering the native population). While controlled harvesting of the crabs could potentially help slow the spread of the species, it also creates a conflict of interest among the fishermen. For example, if fishing of mitten crabs becomes more profitable than fishing of blue crabs, the market could naturally tend to preserve the mitten crab population. Therefore, it is currently illegal to even own a mitten crab in the US:
(2) The importation, transportation, or acquisition of any of the species listed in this paragraph is prohibited except as provided under the terms and conditions set forth in Sec. 16.22:
(i) ...
(ii) Live mitten crabs, genus Eriocheir, or their viable eggs;
Section 16.22 simply states that you need a special permit in order to keep mitten crabs, along with a special containment facility to ensure that none of them escape into the wild.
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