'Fake' hairy crabs in Shanghai force extra security measures
Now we can't even enjoy a little hairy crab in Shanghai without worrying whether it's the real thing or not
Hairy crabs are officially in season, but getting one to your plate will be a trickier matter this year.
And we're not referring to the local rugby team. We're talking about the coveted creepy crawlies from the Yangcheng Lake that made their debut at market on Friday.
But this year there's a slightly different type of 'catch': they might not be as easy to find as in years past.
Although hairy crabs are now bred across China, allowing people to enjoy the delicacy all year, many diners still believe the original is best, making the 大闸蟹 from Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, the most coveted crabs around.
Hairy crabs get serious security
Faced with an increasing number of competitors trying to pass off their hairy crabs as Yangcheng Lake crabs, local farms are now limiting where people can buy the real thing, removing them from public markets.
Those in search of hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake will only be able to buy the critters at authorized supermarkets, exclusive franchise stores and elite hotels, according to the Suzhou-based Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab Association.
"Customers should be aware of the fact that hairy crabs that are said to be from the Yangcheng Lake that they find at wet markets will not be the real thing," an official from the association told China Daily.
The association is taking additional measures to guard against shanzhai 大闸蟹, such as uniformly packaging their crabs, licensing all handlers in the supply chain and even giving every shipment a 12-digit security code.
If you suspect your crabs of not being the real thing, you can call, text or go online to verify the shipment number with the Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab Association.
The increased security measures will mean a 10 to 20 percent price hike compared to last year says Yang Weilong, chairman of the Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab Association.
A 200g male or a 150g female will now sell for between RMB 120 and RMB 130.
"This year's hot weather made the time when the crabs began to shed their shells later than last year," says Yang. "It is still not the best time to eat crab. The best time might be in early October."Yangcheng Lake crab farmers are predicting a harvest of approximately 2,000 tons of hairy crabs, with about half going overseas.
