Abalone is an extremely delicious and precious seafood, renowned for its rich, meaty texture and highly favored by consumers. This article will introduce some famous abalone producing areas in China and provide a brief overview, addressing the question of which regions produce the best abalone. These include Dalian abalone, Dongshan abalone, Nan'ao abalone, Lushun abalone, Yantai abalone, Lianjiang abalone, Laoshan abalone, Rongcheng abalone, Jinghai abalone, and Pingtan abalone. Let's learn more about these famous abalone producing areas in China and related information.
1. Dalian abalone (famous for its wrinkled abalone)
Dalian abalone is a unique specialty of Dalian City, Liaoning Province, mainly produced from the wrinkled abalone variety. This type of abalone is renowned for its large size and delicious flavor, earning it the title of "King of Seafood." Also commonly known as "four-hole abalone" or simply "abalone," it is one of the highest quality varieties of abalone, with well-developed foot muscles, tender flesh, and rich nutrition. It has been listed as one of the "Eight Treasures of the Sea" since ancient times.
Dalian abalone is characterized by its flat, wide, ear-shaped shell with distinct growth lines and numerous rough, irregular wrinkles, hence its name "wrinkled abalone." The shell's exterior is dark greenish-brown, while the interior is silvery-white with a bluish-green pearly luster, and in traditional Chinese medicine, it is called "Shi Jue Ming."
2. Dongshan abalone (one of the largest abalone farming areas in China)
Dongshan abalone is a specialty of Dongshan County, Fujian Province, renowned for its rich protein and high sugar content. The meat is tender, delicious, and has a delicate aroma, offering a refreshing taste. There are several varieties of Dongshan abalone, including nine-hole abalone, hybrid abalone, and variegated abalone.
Nine-hole abalone has an oval shape and typically has 6 to 9 spiracles. Its shell is brown, reddish-brown, or a combination of both colors. Hybrid abalone has 3 to 5 spiracles, a greenish-brown shell, and a silvery-white nacre layer with a reddish-green pearly luster. Variegated abalone has 6 to 9 spiracles, a reddish-brown shell with distinct spirals and finer growth lines. Its inner shell has a silvery-white nacre layer with a glossy appearance. Dongshan Island is one of my country's largest abalone farming areas. It not only sells finished abalone but also supplies a large number of abalone seedlings to other farms.
3. South Australia abalone (one of the largest land-based abalone farming bases in China)
Nan'ao abalone is a specialty seafood product of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. It is mainly produced in the rugged sea cliff areas of Nan'ao Bay, with the Lujui area of Dongchong being the most abundant. Nan'ao is located at the southernmost tip of the Dapeng Peninsula in eastern Shenzhen, surrounded by the ocean, boasting extremely rich aquatic resources. It is also one of the largest land-based abalone farming bases in China. Due to its unique geographical location, Nan'ao abalone possesses distinctive characteristics.
South Australian abalone is dark brown in color, with a hard shell and a slightly flattened shape. After cooking, it has a delicious flavor and a rich abalone sauce. It contains various amino acids and trace elements, and has nourishing and health-promoting effects. Furthermore, the quality grading of South Australian abalone is very strict, divided into several grades based on size and quality, including "extra large," "Grade 1," "Grade 2," and "Grade 3." When purchasing, it is necessary to carefully understand and choose the appropriate grade.
4. Lushun abalone (large size/good quality/high value)
Lushun abalone, scientifically known as *Abalone squarrosa*, is also commonly called abalone, four-hole abalone, purple abalone, or general's hat abalone. It is a specialty of Lushunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, and is one of the eight major economic species of abalone in my country, boasting the largest individual size, highest quality, highest value, and largest natural yield. Lushun abalone has white or pale yellow flesh, is elastic, has a delicious taste, and a unique aroma. Dried abalone is characterized by its good luster, translucency, and intact, plump shape.
According to reports, Lushun abalone is known for its tender and smooth texture, and rich nutritional value. Fresh abalone meat contains 12-16% protein and 0.3-0.8% fat, and is rich in various amino acids. It also contains 5-9 mg of iron per 100g. Dried abalone, on the other hand, contains 39-41g of protein, 0.8-0.9g of fat, and 33-34g of glycogen per 100g, and is also rich in 30 trace elements. The superior quality and abundant nutrition of Lushun abalone have made it highly regarded and a popular seafood delicacy.
5. Yantai abalone (longer growth period/good vitality and nutrition)
Yantai abalone is a unique specialty of Yantai City, Shandong Province. It is characterized by its tender meat, fresh and not greasy taste, rich nutrition, and refreshing yet rich flavor, making it an excellent choice for stir-fries and soups. According to Maigou.com, the waters around Yantai are ideal for abalone. This area boasts abundant clear seawater, strong currents, high salinity, and reefs rich in seaweed. Furthermore, the water temperature in Yantai is relatively low, the impact of the seawater is moderate, and the seaweed resources are plentiful. Abalone cultivated in this environment have a relatively long growth period, resulting in vitality and nutritional value far exceeding that of other abalone varieties.
6. Lianjiang abalone (plump and brightly colored shell/tender meat/delicious taste)
Lianjiang abalone is a unique local specialty of Lianjiang County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, with its cultivation beginning in 1989. The abalone produced here are renowned for their plump bodies, vibrant shell colors, tender flesh, unique and delicious flavor, and rich nutritional value, making them highly popular among consumers. Live Lianjiang abalone have a hard shell, a high proportion of soft tissue, and plump, yellowish-white flesh with good elasticity. Their foot has a strong adhesive capacity. Dried abalone, on the other hand, retains its shape, has an opaque maltose-colored appearance, plump flesh with a certain degree of firmness, a slightly white frost-like coating, and a fragrant aroma of charcoal grilling.
7. Laoshan Abalone (Fresh but not greasy / Clear yet rich in flavor / Suitable for cooking / Soup)
Laoshan abalone is a unique seafood from Laoshan District, Qingdao City, mainly produced in the subtidal zone of the bedrock areas along the coast of Wanggezhuang, Shazikou, and other towns in Laoshan District. Laoshan abalone is renowned for its tender, fresh, and non-greasy meat, rich nutrition, and refreshing yet flavorful taste. Whether cooked in stir-fries or soups, it brings endless delicious enjoyment. According to research, Laoshan abalone is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients. Analysis shows that abalone contains more than 20 kinds of amino acids needed by the human body, with glutamic acid being the most abundant, earning it the reputation of a top-grade tonic and the title of "King of Seafood Treasures." According to the *Compendium of Materia Medica* and *Records of Famous Physicians*, abalone has the effects of calming the mind, relieving asthma, clearing heat, improving eyesight, and promoting urination.
8. Rongcheng abalone (fresh, tender texture/delicious flavor)
Rongcheng abalone is a specialty of Rongcheng City, Shandong Province. Its shell is large and thick, with a greenish-brown or brown exterior and a spiral-shaped protrusion on the back. When fully open, the abalone is generally 7 to 10 centimeters long, with a maximum of about 14 centimeters. The inside of the abalone shell is silvery-white and has a pearly luster.
Fresh abalone meat, in particular, is pale yellow, possesses excellent elasticity and strong abdominal foot muscle contraction, exhibiting strong adsorption capacity. It also boasts the unique aroma of abalone without any off-putting odor. The edible portion contains no less than 10.0 g/100g of protein, no more than 0.3 g/100g of fat, no less than 300.0 mg/kg of calcium, and no less than 50.0 mg/100g of phosphorus, making it exceptionally nutritious. Rongcheng abalone is not only tender but also delicious, possessing high nutritional value.
9. Jinghai abalone (the first choice for "stewed abalone" in banquets)
Jinghai abalone is a specialty aquatic product of Guangdong Province, mainly produced in the waters of Jinghai Town, Huilai County. Jinghai abalone are relatively small, but their flavor is exceptionally delicious. At banquets, the Chaozhou-style "Stewed Abalone" made with Jinghai abalone is particularly outstanding; its fresh and fragrant aroma, and its chewy and smooth texture, make it a dish that receives rave reviews.
It is understood that the waters around Jinghai are shallow, featuring continuous reefs, surging waves, and rapid currents. Without a large influx of freshwater, the seawater has a high salinity, and algae thrive in the area. These environmental conditions make Jinghai an ideal habitat for abalone, producing abalone that is considered one of the treasures of the ocean, delicious whether eaten fresh or dried.
10. Pingtan abalone (fresh, crisp and tender texture/unique flavor)
Pingtan abalone is a specialty seafood of Pingtan County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Its shell is firm, slightly flattened oval, with a convex apex and irregular ring-shaped folds on the surface, containing 3-6 breathing pores. The abalone's foot is thick and has a strong suction force. The flesh is pale yellow, with good elasticity, a crisp and tender texture, and a delicious and unique flavor.
According to the "Pingtan County Aquatic Products Chronicle", as early as 1986, Pingtan imported 1,000 black abalone seedlings from abroad and successfully conducted trial farming on Dasong Island. Subsequently, abalone farming was carried out on a large scale, and different varieties such as golden abalone, green hybrid abalone, and wrinkled abalone were introduced for cultivation. The abalone produced as a result is of excellent quality.
The ranking of China's top ten abalone producing areas is based on the quality, public awareness, and honors received by abalone from my country. It takes into account honors such as "China's National Geographical Indication Product" and "Agricultural Product Geographical Indication" awarded by authoritative institutions like the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, as well as online rankings and lists such as "Abalone Producing Area" and "Where is the Best Abalone?" This ranking is for reference only. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or offer criticism at the end.
