Why is the roe of steamed crab bitter?

Autumn is the best season to eat crabs. For many people who like to eat crabs, autumn is their favorite season, because only in autumn are crabs the fattest and most delicious. In general, many people buy crabs and cook them at home. The most common method is to steam crabs. When eating crabs, everyone likes to eat crab roe, which is the most fragrant and delicious part of the crab.

Why is crab roe bitter?

1. Drug residues

Aquaculture often uses drugs to maintain the growth of seafood, and crabs are no exception. If they are caught too early, there will be a lot of drug residues in the crabs' bodies, and they will taste bitter when eaten, so it is not recommended to eat them.

2. Environmental pollution

In order to reduce pond diseases, some river crab farmers illegally add chloramphenicol and pesticides into the crab seedling ponds. These pollutants are adsorbed on the reproductive glands of river crabs, and the crab roe (genital glands) will taste bitter. Crabs are semi-scavengers, and their hygiene level is directly related to the environment. Many farmers use farmland and ponds to raise hairy crabs, and the water flow is not smooth. The crabs have been living in silt and muddy water. There are many stains in their bodies, which will give people a bitter taste when eaten. This type of crab is not recommended for consumption.

3. Dead Crab

If it is not a fresh crab but a dead crab, it is best not to eat it. Crabs are river fish and one of the foods that can be eaten fresh. The fresher they are, the more delicious they are. However, once a crab dies, the toxins and parasites in its body will begin to decompose the crab meat and crab roe in just a few minutes. If this type of crab is steamed and eaten, the crab roe will taste bitter and is not recommended.

3. The crab is too tender

The crab roe tastes bitter, which may be because the crab is still relatively tender. Crabs are at their plumpest from the end of October to November. At other times, try to choose female crabs. Male crabs in September and October are not as fat as female crabs and are relatively "empty".

4. Improper cleaning and eating

The crab roe is sometimes next to the internal organs, so if you accidentally eat the internal organs, it will taste bitter. Another reason is that the preparation work before cooking was not done enough. Before buying crabs and cooking them, they must be kept in clean water for two days. The dirt in the stomach of a clean crab is completely discharged, so the crab roe will naturally not taste bitter.

Can I eat crab roe if it's a bit bitter?

It's best not to eat it. Except for the case of eating internal organs, normal crab roe is generally not bitter. The components of crab roe are cholesterol, fat, and protein, and there are no bitter ingredients. So if the crab roe tastes bitter, try not to eat it to avoid causing physical discomfort.