How to Choose Delicious Sea Crabs
There are several types of sea crabs to choose from, including brick crabs, meat crabs, and water crabs, depending on your preferences or the requirements of the dish you wish to prepare. Both brick crabs and meaty crabs are delicious and highly nutritious.
When selecting crabs, look for a dull gray shell on the outside. Press the crab’s apron with your finger, and if it feels firm and the apron is large, it indicates the crab has plenty of meat.
Choose a live crab, ensuring the gills are still firmly attached to the body. The legs and claws should move vigorously and flexibly, and the spines on the claws and shell should be intact and sharp.
Avoid crabs with a greenish appearance on the claws and shell. If you press the apron and it feels soft, it indicates the crab is watery, spongy, and has less meat, affecting its taste.
To buy the best crabs, it is recommended to shop during the ‘crab season’. The meatiness of crabs largely depends on the season. The end or beginning of a month is when crabs are usually fattest and meatiest. Mid-month is when they tend to molt, often resulting in less meat and a less appealing taste.
How to Choose Delicious Fiddler Crabs
When purchasing fiddler crabs, opt for live ones kept in water tanks with oxygen tubes. Their leg joints should be flexible, and the spines should be sharp.
To assess the freshness and meatiness of a fiddler crab, gently press on its chest, avoiding the apron. If your finger sinks in, the crab is not fresh, and the meat is likely soft and waterlogged. However, if the chest feels firm and slightly hard, it indicates a meatier and fresher crab.
Male fiddler crabs are preferable if you desire meatier crabs, while females are the choice if you prefer crabs with more roe. The triangular-shaped apron, or ‘yoke’, is the distinguishing feature, with a smaller yoke indicating a male crab and a larger one indicating a female.
Select fiddler crabs that are roughly the size of an adult’s palm, as they tend to have more meat and better flavor. The best time to buy fiddler crabs is at the beginning or end of a lunar month, as this is when they are at their meatiest. Mid-month is best avoided, as they tend to molt during this period, resulting in softer meat and a strong odor.
With these tips in mind, you can quickly select fresh and meaty crabs and fiddler crabs. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious meals with your family!
According to Khoevadep
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