When are sea crabs at their plumpest, and can they still be eaten after they die?

Sea crab is a type of crab, and it is quite popular because of its abundant meat, delicious flavor and rich nutritional value. Most importantly, it can not only be steamed but also stir-fried. So when are sea crabs at their plumpest? Can they still be eaten after they die?

When are they at their plumpest?

Generally speaking, the most delicious female crabs usually start from late September to early October, while male crabs may not be ready until around November. Another saying is that coastal fishermen hold that sea crabs eaten in spring are plumper, but this specifically depends on the region and the type of sea crab! Sea crab is one of people's favorite seafood products. In early spring and golden autumn, most crabs are in their spawning season. Crabs are at their plumpest at this time, so this is the best time to eat crabs. In the eighth lunar month, female crabs are at their plumpest, with plenty of crab roe; in the ninth lunar month, male crabs are at their most fragrant, with plenty of crab fat. However, the window for eating crabs is relatively short. October and November are the best, and in the ninth lunar month it is best to eat female crabs. You can absolutely eat sea crabs according to these times, and it will surely bring you complete happiness.

Can they still be eaten after they die?

Generally speaking, crabs cannot be eaten after they die, especially river crabs, which cannot be eaten no matter how long they have been dead. But if a sea crab dies and not much time has passed and it has not spoiled, it can still be eaten. Therefore, when choosing crabs, everyone should try to pick fresh ones, as they taste better and are also healthier.

Generally speaking, dead crabs cannot be eaten. From a scientific point of view, this is not a bacterial problem, but because when a crab is dying or has already died, the arginine in the crab's body decomposes to produce histamine. Histamine is a toxic substance. As the time since death lengthens, more and more histamine accumulates in the crab's body, and the toxicity grows greater and greater. Even if the crab is cooked, this toxin is not easily destroyed. Therefore, dead crabs must never be eaten.

However, sea crabs can be eaten after they die as long as they have not spoiled. There is no problem keeping them in the refrigerator for a few days, and they can be frozen for even longer. The crabs that cannot be eaten after death refer to river crabs, usually Chinese mitten crabs. When a crab is dying or has already died, the arginine in the crab's body decomposes to produce histamine. Histamine is a toxic substance. As the time since death lengthens, more and more histamine accumulates in the crab's body, and the toxicity grows greater and greater. Even if the crab is cooked, this toxin is not easily destroyed.

Science popularization:

Symptoms caused by eating dead crabs:

Histamine food poisoning mainly involves local or systemic capillary dilation, increased permeability and bronchial constriction. The main symptoms are facial flushing, dizziness, headache, palpitations, rapid pulse, chest tightness and respiratory distress, etc. Some patients experience conjunctival congestion, dilated pupils, blurred vision, facial swelling, lip edema, numbness of the mouth, tongue and limbs, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, hives, general flushing and decreased blood pressure.