Sea Cucumber
Also known as：Japanese spiky sea cucumber, Liaoning sea cucumber
Apostichopus japonicus
- Origin
- Dalian, Shandong, Liaoning
- Season
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Dec
- Appearance
- A cylindrical body with protruding tubercles on the back and dense tube feet underneath; color ranges brown, grey-brown to yellowish-brown by environment; dried product is dark brownish.
Content compiled by the Xian Mancang team
Introduction
品种介绍Sea cucumber — the 'sea ginseng' — heads China's traditional nourishing delicacies, counted among the 'eight treasures' with bird's nest, shark fin and abalone. The spiky variety from Shandong and Liaoning is famed for prominent dorsal spines and thick body walls; its core production areas sit on the coasts of Shandong and Liaoning.
Live sea cucumbers autolyze rapidly out of water, so they circulate mostly as salted or dry products — a classic of festive-season nourishment.
Holding Environment
暂养环境Xian Mancang holding advisor: temperature, salinity, water quality and density references per species — feel free to exchange holding experience.
Stored and distributed as dried product (light-dried, salt-dried); no live holding. Dry storage: dry environment, away from moisture and light, below 20°C, humidity under 60%, sealed against insects — keeps 1–2 years.
Rehydration: soak dried sea cucumber in cold water 24–48 hours until soft; open the belly, remove the sand mouth; simmer gently 40–60 minutes; cool naturally, then refrigerate and soak, changing water daily; reaches 3–4× original volume in 2–3 days. Keep all utensils oil-free. Parameters above are reference values — adjust as needed.
Economic Value
经济价值Value varies enormously by size and processing: light-dried far exceeds salt-dried and ready-to-eat; large sizes (fewer per jin) carry premiums. Liaoning and Shandong origin branding is strong — a core category of premium nourishment.
Ready-to-eat sea cucumber and sea cucumber peptides are pulling in mass consumption; e-commerce and gift-box channels sell well.
Culinary & Commercial Use
烹饪与商业用途Sea cucumber itself is bland — famous for absorbing broth flavors. Rehydrated product suits scallion-braised, red-braised and stewed preparations; the Lu-style 'scallion-braised sea cucumber' is its flagship dish.
Foodservice: premium banquets and wedding/birthday feasts; millet congee with sea cucumber and sea-cucumber egg custard are common home nourishments; ready-to-eat packs open and eat — convenience consumption is growing fast.
Buying Guide
选购指南Dried product: complete body, straight spines, thick flesh; thoroughly dry and odorless. Rehydration ratio is the key quality metric — quality light-dried product expands 3× or more; salt-dried expands less with looser flesh.
Market Reference
规格行情Reference price: light-dried graded by head count — e.g., 20–30/jin and 30–50/jin tiers at roughly 1500–4000 CNY/jin; fewer heads = higher unit price. Ready-to-eat 100–300 CNY/jin. Price follows age, origin and process; rises clearly around holidays.
Sea Cucumber · FAQs
How do I pick the freshest Sea Cucumber?
Dried product: complete body, straight spines, thick flesh; thoroughly dry and odorless. Rehydration ratio is the key quality metric — quality light-dried product expands 3× or more; salt-dried expands less with looser flesh.
What are the live-holding requirements for Sea Cucumber?
Stored and distributed as dried product (light-dried, salt-dried); no live holding. Dry storage: dry environment, away from moisture and light, below 20°C, humidity under 60%, sealed against insects — keeps 1–2 years.
What is the current market price of Sea Cucumber?
Reference price: light-dried graded by head count — e.g., 20–30/jin and 30–50/jin tiers at roughly 1500–4000 CNY/jin; fewer heads = higher unit price. Ready-to-eat 100–300 CNY/jin. Price follows age, origin and process; rises clearly around holidays.
How do I cook Sea Cucumber? What methods work best?
Sea cucumber itself is bland — famous for absorbing broth flavors. Rehydrated product suits scallion-braised, red-braised and stewed preparations; the Lu-style 'scallion-braised sea cucumber' is its flagship dish.
Sea Cucumber · For stock availability and holding consultation, contact us