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The hairy crab is known as one sort of the freshwater crab.
The freshwater crab, with Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) as its
scientific name, is widely distributed along the long coastline from Liaohe
River in Northern China to Zhujiang River in the South. Moreover, it boasts the
largest output as well as the most delicious taste in the Yangtze River water
system. Exteriorly, the freshwater crab is characterized by a green back, a
white abdomen, golden claws and yellow setae. Generally speaking, the hairy crab
refers specifically to Eriocheir sinensis from the Yangtze River water system,
among which, that from the Yangcheng Lake enjoys the best reputation.
The
history of Chinese eating crabs dates back to as early as the Western Zhou
Dynasty. As recorded in both Zhou Rites and Zi Lin (a reference book on
philology) in the Jin Dynasty, the history lasts 2700 years or so. It is around
the Mid-Autumn Day every year that the hairy crab is gradually on the market. It
can be cooked in various ways, such as steaming, water boiling, flour coating
and wine preserving. Talking of the hairy crab from Yangcheng Lake specifically,
it is usually steamed, boiled and shelled before being eaten. Ever since the
ancient times, eating crabs has been a refined pleasure which requires careful
study. Imagine the tangerine crab cream, white jade-like grease, white and
tender meat. Isn’t it delightful to eat them dipped in sugar, vinegar and ginger
powder while inviting a couple of intimate friends for cups of good wine?
Besides, it will be of a distinctive flavor to pick out crab meat and make with
it noodles or steamed buns. Li Bai, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, once
wrote in his poetry about the bliss of having good wine and delicious food while
savoring crabs.
The Origin of the Name
Habitually, Chinese mitten crab is called "Dazha
crab" (i.e., hairy crab) in China, literally, big sluice crab. Then, where does
the name come from? 
The First Person to Eat a Crab
Though well-known worldwide, the hairy crab from
Yangcheng Lake appears terrifying. Then who was the first man to eat the crab?
Utensils in Eating a Crab
As early as in the Ming Dynasty, skillful craftsmen
invented a complete set of utensils for eating a crab. As recorded in Study on
Eating, a guidebook to delicious food in the Ming Dynasty, the set...
Steamed Hairy Crabs
Steamed Hairy Crabs
Steaming is the most classical way to cook the hairy crab, intended mainly to highlight the original flavor of the crab and preserve, to the utmost, its appearance, aroma and taste. Steamed crabs...
Spicy Salt Crabs
This dish goes well with wine. Cut fresh and clean
crabs into pieces. Marinate them for a couple of minutes in shallot, ginger and
cooking wine. Coat them in flour paste and then fry them till they...
Huaiyang Steamed Rice with Crab Roe
It looks inviting that the tangerine crab and the
steamed rice set off each other, with a layer of tangerine crab roe spread all
over the latter. Pick out crab meat and cream, add chopped chives,...
Braised Shark Fin with Crab Meat
This delicacy is made with the hairy crab and
shark's tail fin. Consisting of tangerine crab spawn, white and tender crab meat
and bright shark fin, it reaches the acme of appearance, aroma and...
Flour-Coated Crabs
Pick out small-sized crabs with relatively soft
shells and clean them. Cut them into halves and then remove inedible parts like
the stomach, intestines, gill and heart. Blend flour with water and...
Drunken Crabs Preserved in Yellow Rice Wine
This dish, made by marinating the hairy crab in
yellow rice wine, stands out with aroma of the wine and tastiness of the crab
setting off each other. There are two seasonings indispensable for...
Crabs Braised in Orange Juice
Materials: the hairy crab from Yangcheng Lake,
oranges. Seasonings: wine, vinegar and salt.
Edible Value of the Hairy Crab
The reason why crabs from Yangcheng Lake taste so
delicious lies in the fact that the crab meat consists of rich protein and over
ten kinds of amino acid. Glutamate, glycin, histidine, arginine and...
Six Taboos in Eating the Hairy Crab
Do not eat dead crabs...Do not eat raw
crabs...
