Which type of fish maw is better?

There's no standard answer, but we can roughly categorize them. The top-ranked fish maw types are: golden threadfin maw, spider maw, white threadfin maw, and red-lipped threadfin maw. These are considered the best and are also the most expensive. Following closely behind are Annam fish maw, golden dragon fish maw, Beihai fish maw, yellow croaker fish maw, Tawau fish maw, cod maw, and bean maw, among others.

Several factors determine which type of fish maw is best.

① Variety: Different varieties have different grades. As mentioned earlier, there is a ranking of varieties, which is roughly like this.

② Size and thickness: For the same type of fish maw, the larger the size and the thicker the body, the better the quality. There is a saying that "one ounce of fish maw is equivalent to ten pounds of fish." This shows that a fish maw weighing a few ounces can be from a fish weighing tens of pounds.

③Dryness: The drier the fish maw, the better. Generally, older fish maw will be drier because it has been stored for a long time.

④ Selection of Male and Female Fish Maw: Fish maw comes in male and female varieties. Male fish maw is shaped like a saddle, thicker in the middle and thinner at the sides, with V-shaped stripes. The best quality is firm, thick, dry, and golden yellow, with a semi-transparent appearance. It should be firm and chewy after cooking. Female fish maw, on the other hand, is slightly rounder and flatter, resembling a corrugated board, with horizontal or wavy stripes. It is thinner, dissolves easily after cooking, has a softer texture, and is cheaper than male fish maw. Male fish maw is generally considered better than female fish maw.

⑤ Age of Fish Maw: The darker the color of the fish maw, the older it is. The advantage of aged fish maw is that the concentration of collagen is reduced, making the nutrients easier for the body to absorb and more nourishing. Aged fish maw can be found at Huanghaitang Fish Maw Shop. There are too many new fish maws on the market now, so it is not easy to find aged fish maw. This is for reference only.

⑥ Origin: Different types of fish maw come from different origins. For example, white fish maw from Indonesia is considered better than that from Myanmar; similarly, fish maw from the North Sea from Suriname is better than that from Brazil or other South American countries. These factors, such as origin, have been historically proven to determine quality.

⑦ Odor: Old glue has little fishy smell, is gentle on the spleen and stomach, and is more effective than new glue. Therefore, try to choose old glue with a light or no odor.