Male or Female Softshell Turtle: Which Is Better? How to Tell Them Apart, Select, Slaughter, and Dietary Taboos

The softshell turtle is commonly known as biejia, also called tuan yu or shui yu, and is an egg-laying amphibious reptile. It is not only a delicious dish on the dining table but can also be used as a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient.So is the female softshell turtle better or the male? How do you tell them apart? How do you slaughter it? What can't it be eaten with? How do you select one? According to a softshell turtle breeding base in Jiangxi, turn the turtle over and look at its belly. Slightly above the tail, press with your hand: the male has reproductive organs protruding, while the female does not.

Is the female softshell turtle better or the male?

Male and female softshell turtles have the same nutritional content, with no real difference. However, wild softshell turtles have much higher nutritional value than farmed ones, because farmed softshell turtles are force-grown with feed and their growth cycle is too short.

How do you slaughter a softshell turtle?

1. Place the softshell turtle flat or turn it over, then step on its body with your foot. When its neck extends, quickly cut off its neck with scissors or a kitchen knife. It is best to hold a bowl to catch the blood, otherwise it will get everywhere! If you really can't bear to kill it yourself, you can take it to a market and ask a shop that specializes in slaughtering to kill it for you, then clean and prepare it yourself.

2. After slaughtering, boil a pot of water to about 80-100 degrees, then put the softshell turtle into the hot water and blanch for 3-5 minutes (be sure to put it into the water immediately after slaughter; if left too long, the softshell turtle will secrete many toxic substances, and the water temperature can be adjusted according to whether the turtle is old or young), then remove. Then tear off the membrane on the softshell turtle's body; if it is too hot to handle, soak it in cold water briefly before tearing.

3. After cleaning the softshell turtle, use scissors to cut along the underside edge around the calipash (also called fei bian, located around the softshell turtle; it is the most flavorful part of the softshell turtle), but be careful not to cut the calipash off. Lift the shell, and remove the internal organs and yellow fat. You can also cut a cross shape on the belly of the softshell turtle with scissors and dig out the internal organs and yellow fat. After cleaning the softshell turtle, cut off its four legs and tail sheath, and remove all the yellow fat inside.

What can't softshell turtle be eaten with?

Incompatible:

Softshell turtle + peach: heart pain

Softshell turtle + eel: may affect fetal health

Softshell turtle + dried persimmon: may hinder digestion

Softshell turtle + amaranth: may cause poisoning

Softshell turtle + duck meat: may cause edema and diarrhea

Softshell turtle + pork: may cause abdominal pain

Softshell turtle + celery: eating them together may cause poisoning; olive juice can be used as an antidote

Softshell turtle + rabbit meat: those with weak and cold spleen and stomach should avoid eating

Softshell turtle + persimmon: indigestion

Softshell turtle + salted duck egg: gastrointestinal discomfort

Softshell turtle + egg: salty and neutral in nature; pregnant women and those with postpartum constipation should avoid eating

Softshell turtle + amaranth: eating them together makes digestion difficult

Softshell turtle + winter bamboo shoots: damages vital energy

Softshell turtle + yellow eel + crab: if pregnant women eat this, it may affect fetal health

Softshell turtle + duck meat: eating it over time causes yang deficiency, edema, and diarrhea

Softshell turtle + duck egg: both are cooling in nature and should not be eaten together

Good pairings:

Softshell turtle + Fritillaria cirrhosa: can nourish yin and moisten the lungs

Softshell turtle + goji berries: can tonify the kidneys, strengthen essence, and promote longevity

Softshell turtle + honey: can clear heat and reduce internal fire

Softshell turtle + longan: can tonify the spleen and stomach, benefit the heart and lungs, and nourish the liver and kidneys

Softshell turtle + winter melon: can nourish the skin and brighten the eyes

Softshell turtle + winter melon: nourishes the skin, brightens the eyes, and aids weight loss

Softshell turtle + white pigeon meat: can nourish the kidneys, boost qi, and nourish the skin and complexion

How do you select a softshell turtle?

1. Look at every part of the softshell turtle. One that is complete in appearance, uninjured and disease-free, with thick, plump muscle, a glossy plastron, indistinct dorsal ribs, a thick, upturned calipash, four thick and strong legs, and agile movement is a superior softshell turtle.

2. Grasp the softshell turtle by the hollow behind its hind legs. If it moves quickly, kicks its four feet wildly, and is fierce and strong, it is a superior softshell turtle.

3. Try turning the softshell turtle upside down and placing it flat on the ground. If it can quickly flip back over, flees rapidly, and moves nimbly, it is a superior softshell turtle.