A Detailed Guide to the Harvesting, Processing and Storage of Scorpion

Scorpion, also called quanchong, is the dried whole body of the East Asian scorpion of the family Buthidae.

1 Harvesting

The time for catching wild scorpions is generally from after they emerge from hibernation to before they enter it. Every year in mid-to-late April, that is, around "Grain Rain". At this time the scorpions have just emerged from hibernation, their bodies are plump and thick, there is no food in their abdomens, and there are few impurities; after processing the quality is good and the weight is high, and they are usually called "spring scorpions". Therefore, Shandong often takes the purchase of "spring scorpions" as the main season. At this time the scorpions have just emerged from hibernation and are not active, and the green grass has just sprouted, so the scorpions are easy to find and easy to catch.

"Summer scorpions" are scorpions caught and processed during the dog days of summer. By this time the scorpions have already taken in food, and pregnant female scorpions have already given birth to their young, so the quality after processing is not as good as that of "spring scorpions"; for the same number of scorpions, the yield of "summer scorpions" is lower than that of "spring scorpions". Catching them at this time is relatively difficult, because by then the scorpions are already moving about everywhere and are active, and there is grass and other cover that hinders catching. Their phototaxis can be used to trap them. Place a lamp on a relatively flat spot on the hill, and they can be caught. When catching scorpions, carry 1 pair of chopsticks or 1 pair of tweezers, and also carry a wide-mouthed bottle, bucket or other container with a lid for holding the scorpions, to prevent them from escaping.

2 Processing

2.1 Saltwater scorpions ① Put the scorpions into about 25°C 1% light salt water and soak for 4-6 hours to make them spit out the filth in their abdomens, then gently scoop the scorpions out with a strainer, put them into water again, and repeat 3-4 times to wash off the mud and sand on their bodies. ② Prepare the salt water (for 1 kg of live scorpions use 100-200 g of table salt, add 4-6 kg of water), and bring the salt water to a boil. ③ Put the washed live scorpions into the pot of boiling salt water and boil them; the amount of water in the pot should be enough to submerge the scorpions to a depth of 3 fingers. Cover the pot with a reed mat slightly smaller than the pot opening, and press a "well"-shaped wooden strip on the mat; this both prevents the scorpions from rolling out of the pot and avoids stewing them until they fall apart. Use high heat to bring it to a boil as quickly as possible, first boiling over high heat for 2 hours, then over low heat for 2 hours. When boiling over low heat, check and stir 2 times every 30 minutes. When the scorpion bodies are stiff, do not bend, and a distinct groove (that is, a sunken line) appears on the back, they can be scooped out. When boiling, if the heat is appropriate, the scorpions' pincers, legs and tails will not easily fall off, the quality is good, and they are also easy to preserve. If the heat is not appropriate, the scorpions' pincers, legs and tails will separate from the body, affecting quality. ④ Dry in the shade. Place the boiled scorpions on a reed mat and dry them in a cool, ventilated place. If they are dried in the sun, salt bloom will form on the scorpion bodies after drying, and after packaging they are likely to absorb moisture again, or even become moldy and deteriorate.

2.2 Freshwater scorpions Before processing, wash the scorpions in clean water, then scoop them out and put them into boiling water to cook for 10-15 minutes. For every 1.5 kg of live scorpions add 50-100 g of salt. Stir gently while cooking, and after cooking scoop them out and dry them in the shade. 1 kg of live scorpions can be processed into 300-350 g of dried scorpions.

3 Storage

Pack in wooden boxes. Coat the inner walls of the packing box with lime powder mixed with pig blood. Line the box with moisture-proof oil paper, and you can also put the scorpions in non-toxic plastic bags and place them in the above-mentioned wooden box, then seal it. Keep it in a dry, ventilated place, and strictly guard against moisture and mold. After scorpions absorb moisture, they are prone to mold and deterioration and to their claws and tails falling off. Avoid violent shaking during transport.