Sea cucumbers are distributed in all oceans of the world, from intertidal zone to different depths of water.

Sea cucumber contains more protein and is rich in nutrients, it is a good nourishing food and one of the famous sea food.

Our people have a long history of eating sea cucumber.

At present, there are 21 kinds of edible sea cucumbers used for processing in our country, and the following is the introduction of the main 7 kinds:

First, the spiny cucumber, also known as the Shakou Xun, is the main edible sea cucumber in our country, which is distributed along the northern coast of our country, such as the Dalian and Changshan Islands in Liaoning, the Beidaihe and Qinhuangdao in Hebei, the Miaodao Island in the north coast of Shandong Peninsula, Yantai, Weihai, Chengshantou, etc., and the Slang Island in the south coast of Shandong Peninsula, Rongcheng Bay, Shidao, Jiaozhou Bay and Jiaonan, Rizhao and other places.

Second, the green ginseng, also known as the square column ginseng, the body is a four-sided column.

The whole body is green, dark green or slightly greenish-black when it lives, and the tips of the spines are orange or reddish-orange.

It is found in Hainan Island and Xisha Islands.

It has a large production and is the main edible sea cucumber in the region, but because it is too soft and tender, it needs to be processed in a timely manner after harvesting, otherwise it is prone to rotting and deterioration.

Third, the flower ginseng, commonly known as the square ginseng, white spiny ginseng.

The body is slightly square, the body color varies greatly, there are dark yellow with different shades of olive spots, yellow-gray with light brown mesh or green spots.

Distributed in Guangdong Shi Xiong Zhou Island, Hainan Island and Xisha Islands, it is one of the important edible sea cucumbers produced in the South China Sea, with soft and tender meat, so it is easy to rot if it is not processed in time after harvesting.

Fourth, Plum Blossom Cucumber is the largest sea cucumber, the body is fully stretched up to about 1 meter when living, the general body length is 60 cm to 80 cm, the body color is bright, the back is orange-red with fine yellow and brown spots, the ventral surface with reddish brown.

The fleshy spines on the dorsal surface are very large, and the bases of every three to five spines are connected in a plum petal shape.

It is the best sea cucumber among the edible sea cucumbers in the south of China because of its large individual size and excellent meat quality.

It is distributed in Xisha Islands, Zhongsha Islands and Nansha Islands.

Fifth, the white-sole auxiliary anal ginseng is also known as white-sole boot ginseng, because its dried products are black on the back and white on the ventral surface, like the sole of a shoe, so it has this name.

Because of its well-developed skin and muscle capsule, the dried product is of good quality, and it is the best edible ginseng.

It is mainly found in Xisha Islands.

Sixth, black milk ginseng, also known as Wu Yuan ginseng, the body black with white or yellow-white small spots, both sides have several horizontal lines and milky protuberances, the meat is good.

Distributed in the Xisha Islands.

Seven, brown sea cucumber, also known as Mingyu ginseng, commonly known as white ginseng.

The body color varies greatly, the back is dark greenish brown with a few black spots, the color along the middle line of the back is generally darker, while the sides are lighter, and the ventral surface gradually becomes white.

Distributed along the coasts of Guangdong and Guangxi, it inhabits the mudflats where seaweeds grow in clumps on the sandy mud bottom, and is one of the most important edible sea cucumbers in the south of China, and also an easy-to-cultivate species.