Morphological features: soft and delicious under the hard shell
Crabs belong to the decapod order of Crustacea, their bodies are covered by a hard shell, which is composed of calcium carbonate and chitin, and protects the body and defends it from external enemies. The crab's body is divided into a cephalothorax, which consists of the fusion of the head and thorax, and an abdomen, which consists of a series of movable body segments. Crabs have five pairs of stepping feet, the first three pairs of which are used for walking and the last two pairs are used for swimming or holding eggs. Their eyes grow on stalks on either side of their head and have a 360-degree field of vision, allowing them to spot prey or avoid danger in time.
There are many kinds of crabs: hairy crabs and pike crabs have their own specialties
There are many kinds of crabs, which are widely distributed, and can be found from the offshore to the deep sea. Among them, the most famous is the hairy crab. Hairy crabs live in freshwater environments, are large and have fatty meat, and are a favorite of many gourmets. Pike crabs are also a common type of crab, their bodies are pike shaped, smaller and tender, suitable for steaming or stir-frying. Apart from hairy crabs and pike crabs, there are also green crabs, flower crabs, bread crabs and other types of crabs, each with a unique flavor waiting to be explored.
Habits and customs: retreating from their shells to find a mate
Crabs have interesting habits. They are nocturnal, usually hiding in rock crevices or sandy holes during the day before coming out at night to forage for food. The crab's diet mainly consists of small fish, shellfish, seaweed and so on. It is worth mentioning that crabs need to molt their shells regularly during the growth process in order to continue to grow. When molting, the crab secretes a hormone that softens the old shell and then crawls out of the shell. The body of a freshly molted crab is very soft and takes some time to regain its hardness. Crabs also have a unique custom of choosing their mates. Male crabs will attract females by waving their large chelae, while females will choose their mates based on the size of the male, the size of his chelae and the splendor of his dance.
Nutritional value: rich in protein, nourishing and strengthening
The nutritional value of crabs is very rich, in which the protein content is particularly prominent. Each 100 grams of crab meat contains more than 15 grams of protein, which is a good source of essential amino acids. Crabs are also rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, iron and so on. These nutrients play an important role in human health and can strengthen the body and improve immunity. It should be noted that crabs are cold in nature and should not be eaten by people with a cold spleen and stomach.
Selection method: fresh fat, quality
Selection of crabs is also a learning experience, master some tips can help us buy fresh fat crabs. Observe the appearance of the crab, fresh crab shell is lime green or brown, glossy, and elastic by hand. Weigh the weight of the crab, the heavier the crab is, the fuller the meat is. Thirdly, check the abdomen of the crab. Fresh crabs have an intact, shiny abdomen with no breakage or blackening. You can pinch the legs of the crab with your hand. Fresh crab legs are strong and sturdy and do not fall off easily.
Cooking methods: a feast for the taste buds
There are many ways to cook crabs, including steaming, stir-frying, stewing and soup. Steaming is one of the best ways to preserve the original flavor of the crab, just put the crab into the steamer to steam, dipped in ginger vinegar sauce to eat, fresh and sweet. Stir-fried crabs are more flavorful, cut the crabs into pieces and stir-fried with onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers and other condiments, the aroma is full of mouth-watering. Stewed crabs are a classic Huaiyang dish, in which the crabs are stewed with soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar and other seasonings, and the freshness of the crabs and the richness of the sauce are perfectly combined, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. Soup is also a good choice, the crab will be boiled with ribs, corn, winter melon and other ingredients, the soup is delicious and nutritious.
Conclusion: fresh and delicious, nutritious seafood treasures
Crab as a delicious seafood treasures, not only flavorful, but also nutritious. Understanding the crab's morphological characteristics, species habits, nutritional value and cooking methods can help us better savor the crab's deliciousness. The next time you taste crabs, you may want to experience the fresh flavor of crabs, and feel the gift of nature to us this marine delicacy!