In Pictures
In Pictures: China's hairy crab phenomenon
Harvesting season is underway for a tasty crustacean that has been a delicacy in China for centuries.
Dave Tacon Last Modified: 14 Oct 2012 08:03

Hairy crabs have been a popular delicacy in sourthern China for centuries. Harvesting season in now underway until November, and Shanghai’s residents could not be happier.

Crabs from Yangcheng Lake outside of Shanghai are the most highly prized, and once graced the Emperor's dinner table. During hairy crab season, the crustaceans are found everywhere in Shanghai - peddled on street corners and in bustling markets. There's no such phenomenon in the capital Beijing. Hairy crabs are also highly sought after in Hong Kong and are exported to Taiwan and Singapore.

Ping Xie - the crab farm and restaurant on Yangcheng Lake - delivers live crabs to all corners of China. There are signs at airports in Shanghai that forbid the transportation of live crabs as hand luggage.

A feast of hairy crab from Yangcheng Lake sets one back about $25 at a restaurant in Shanghai. The industry was commercialised in the 1980s, and hairy crab prices rise by about 20 per cent each year since then. The crabs are hugely popular “business gifts” - greasing the wheels of Chinese commerce.

Like other luxury goods in China, “fake” hairy crabs raised in less hygienic locations are sold with counterfeit trademarks to unsuspecting buyers.

Part of their popularity is that crab meat is considered a body coolant in traditional Chinese medicine. Hairy crabs are therefore served with “warming” condiments such as vinegar, ginger, and yellow rice wine to provide the perfect balance.

In Mandarin, the word hairy crab sounds like “harmony”.
Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Crab harvesting season begins in China in October and lasts until November. Shanghai's citizens could not be happier about it.


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
Crabs are popular in China, and the ones coming from Yangcheng Lake outside Shanghai are some of the most valued.


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
During the hairy crab season, one can find the creatures all around Shanghai.


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
Hairy crabs are also exported to Taiwan and Singapore, and are in high demand in Hong Kong.


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
A hairy crab farmer poses with her harvest of the southern China delicacy on a farm on Yangcheng Lake.


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
The price of hairy crabs rise by about 20 per cent each year.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Crabs once graced the Emperor's dinner table. Today, they are served with "warming" condiments such as vinegar, yellow rice, ginger, and wine.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Hairy crabs are also well received as business gifts.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
In Mandarin,  the word for "hairy crab" sounds like "harmony".


Dave Tacon /Al Jazeera
Signs at airports in Shanghai forbid the transportation of live crabs as hand luggage.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
A sous chef at Bund Riverside Hotel prepares a crab dish.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Crab meat is considered a body coolant in traditional Chinese medicine, and part of their popularity is due to this belief.
images:
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captions:
Crab harvesting season begins in China in October and lasts until November. Shanghai(***)s citizens could not be happier about it.;*;Crabs are popular in China, and the ones coming from Yangcheng Lake outside Shanghai are some of the most valued.;*;During the hairy crab season, one can find the creatures all around Shanghai.;*;Hairy crabs are also exported to Taiwan and Singapore, and are in high demand in Hong Kong.;*;A hairy crab farmer poses with her harvest of the southern China delicacy on a farm on Yangcheng Lake.;*;The price of hairy crabs rise by about 20 per cent each year.;*;Crabs once graced the Emperor\(***)s dinner table. Today, they are served with "warming" condiments such as vinegar, yellow rice, ginger, and wine.;*;Hairy crabs are also well received as business gifts.;*;In Mandarin,  the word for "hairy crab" sounds like "harmony".;*;Signs at airports in Shanghai forbid the transportation of live crabs as hand luggage.;*;A sous chef at Bund Riverside Hotel prepares a crab dish.;*;Crab meat is considered a body coolant in traditional Chinese medicine, and part of their popularity is due to this belief. Daylife ID:
1347352668143
Photographer:
Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon ;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon
Image Source:
Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
Hairy crabs in Chinahttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghaien-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:37:48 GMTTue, 11 Sep 2012 10:16:44 GMT http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=05cXegD3Cz6Lw

Crab harvesting season begins in China now and lasts until November, and Shanghai's citizens could not be happier about it.


Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=05cXegD3Cz6LwDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Crab harvesting season begins in China now and lasts until November, and Shanghai's citizens could not be happier about it.


 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0fsr6375OR6eT

Crabs are very popular in China, but the ones coming from Yangcheng Lake outside Shanghai are some of the most valued.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:51:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0fsr6375OR6eTDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Crabs are very popular in China, but the ones coming from Yangcheng Lake outside Shanghai are some of the most valued.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0e1mdmy2nubUc

During the hairy crab season, one can find the creatures all around Shanghai.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:51:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0e1mdmy2nubUcDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

During the hairy crab season, one can find the creatures all around Shanghai.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0bsk3iqcic2OP

Hairy crabs are also exported to Taiwan and Singapore, and are highly demanded in Hong Kong.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:51:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0bsk3iqcic2OPDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Hairy crabs are also exported to Taiwan and Singapore, and are highly demanded in Hong Kong.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=09cu45SgRb3Jp

A hairy crab farmer poses with her harvest of the southern China delicacy on a farm on Yangcheng Lake.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=09cu45SgRb3JpDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

A hairy crab farmer poses with her harvest of the southern China delicacy on a farm on Yangcheng Lake.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0foKcMC39S6wV

The price of hairy crabs rise by about 20 per cent each year.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:52:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0foKcMC39S6wVDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

The price of hairy crabs rise by about 20 per cent each year.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=090x9F6dzM8dS

Crabs once graced the Emperor's dinner table. Today, they are served with "warming" condiments such as vinegar, yellow rice, ginger, and wine.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=090x9F6dzM8dSDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Crabs once graced the Emperor's dinner table. Today, they are served with "warming" condiments such as vinegar, yellow rice, ginger, and wine.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=00WP60hgRk502

Hairy crabs are also well received as business gifts.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=00WP60hgRk502Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Hairy crabs are also well received as business gifts.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=09Yx3jL1WI7t6

In Mandarin,  the word for "hairy crab" sounds like "harmony".

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=09Yx3jL1WI7t6Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

In Mandarin,  the word for "hairy crab" sounds like "harmony".

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0daP0lIfdi2qB

Signs at airports in Shanghai forbid the transportation of live crabs as hand luggage.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=0daP0lIfdi2qBDave Tacon Al Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Signs at airports in Shanghai forbid the transportation of live crabs as hand luggage.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=03544S34Nf7cu

Ping Xie, a crab farm and restaurant on Yangcheng Lake, delivers live crabs all over China.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=03544S34Nf7cuDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Ping Xie, a crab farm and restaurant on Yangcheng Lake, delivers live crabs all over China.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=077Ph2YasJ6Y1

Crab meat is considered a body coolant in traditional Chinese medicine, and part of their popularity is due to this belief.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/A-hairy-crab-farmer-poses-with-her-harvest-of-the-southern-China-delicacy-on-a-farm-on-Yangcheng-Lake-outside-of-Shanghai?image_id=077Ph2YasJ6Y1Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Crab meat is considered a body coolant in traditional Chinese medicine, and part of their popularity is due to this belief.

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