When are Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs available on the market each year?

Yangcheng Lake hairy crab, also known as golden-claw crab, is produced in Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou. The crab body does not touch mud, so it is commonly known as clean-water hairy crab. It has a large body and plump flesh, a blue-green shell and white belly, golden claws and yellow hair, tender and rich meat and roe, and ten agile legs; placed on a glass plate, it can crawl rapidly. Whenever the golden breeze brings coolness and chrysanthemums bloom, it is exactly the peak season for golden-claw crabs to be marketed. Female crabs in the 9th lunar month and male crabs in the 10th lunar month have the best gonadal development.

When are Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs available on the market?

Late September each year is the time when Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs are available on the market. Whenever the golden breeze brings coolness and chrysanthemums bloom, it is exactly the peak season for golden-claw crabs to be marketed. Female crabs in the 9th lunar month and male crabs in the 10th lunar month have the best gonadal development. After cooking and congealing, the female becomes golden yellow and the male looks like white jade, with a delicious taste; it is a famous-brand product renowned in China.

How much does Yangcheng Lake hairy crab cost per jin?

The price of Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs is relatively stable, with few sharp rises or falls. Generally, crabs of 3 to 4 liang cost 140 yuan to 160 yuan per jin, while extra-large premium crabs over 5 liang will rise somewhat. However, shipping, labor and other costs have increased, so retail prices in various places should rise slightly. Still, if they are extra-large premium crabs over 5 liang, they may rise a little, but not by much.

What characteristics do Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs have?

1. Blue-green back: The shell of Yangcheng Lake crabs is blue-gray, smooth and glossy.

2. White belly: The umbilical abdomen attached to the mud is crystal white.

3. Yellow hair: The leg hair is long, yellow and upright.

4. Golden claws: The claws of Yangcheng Lake crabs are golden, firm and powerful; placed on glass, they can stand on all eight legs with both pincers raised.

How do you select Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs?

1. Crab shell: If the shell has bright color, luster, and is dark green, it is generally thick and firm; if it is yellow, it is mostly thinner and weaker. It is even better if you can pick one with “golden hair and golden claws”.

2. Crab legs: Look at whether the leg tips are sturdy and the “leg hair” on the crab legs is thickly grown; these are generally plump and mature. Those without hair are mostly soft-bodied and not plump.

3. Vitality: Turn the crab over; if it can quickly use its legs to flip itself back, it shows strong vitality; if it cannot flip back, its vitality is poor and it cannot be stored for long.

4. Female and male: As the saying goes: “In the 8th lunar month choose female crabs; after the 9th month choose male crabs.”