Are crabs live and steamed directly

Live crabs can be steamed directly, but it is necessary to ensure that the crabs are fresh and handled properly. Steaming live crabs directly can preserve their freshness and nutrition to the greatest extent possible, but attention should be paid to cleaning, bundling, and steaming time control. When live crabs are steamed directly, their shells and muscle tissues are in a fresh state. High temperature steam can quickly lock in the juice and prevent the meat from becoming loose. Before steaming, use a brush to clean the mud and sand in the crevices of the crab shell, and tie the crab claws to prevent struggling and breaking the leg. After the water boils, add the crab and steam over high heat for 10-15 minutes until the crab shell turns red and the crab roe solidifies. This method is suitable for species with hard shells such as horseshoe crabs and hairy crabs, and the steaming process produces a richer variety of umami substances.

In some special cases, pre-treatment is required, such as when crabs have been out of water for too long and lack vitality, or when they may come into contact with pollutants during transportation. In such cases, soaking in diluted salt water can be used to promote the removal of impurities, but it should not exceed 20 minutes to avoid affecting the meat quality. If river crabs grow in environments with poor water quality, it is recommended to brush them and blanch them briefly before steaming. Dead crabs should never be steamed, as histidine in their bodies quickly breaks down into harmful substances.

Steamed crabs are recommended to be paired with ginger vinegar juice to neutralize coldness, and consumed in moderation for those with weak gastrointestinal health. Choose live crabs with intact shells and sensitive reactions, and steam them with perilla leaves or ginger slices to remove the fishy smell. The remaining crab meat needs to be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours, as repeated heating can cause protein denaturation. If symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea occur after consumption, seek medical attention immediately to investigate the risk of allergies or spoilage.