花胶，又称鱼胶，是鱼膘的干品，即鱼在水中调节升降的器官，并非指鱼的肚子或者胃。四大极品“鲍参翅肚” 中的 “肚” 即为鱼胶。
Fish Maw is the dry product of fish bladder, which is the organ that regulates the rise and fall of fish in the water, not the belly or stomach of the fish. Yet, the “belly” in 4 high-class ingredients “Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Fin and Belly” is referring to Fish Maw.
01.花胶的功效 The Effects of Fish Maw
花胶具有养阴润肺、补肾益精、养血止血、润肤养颜等功效。其主要成分高级胶原蛋白，并富含中碘酸、不饱和脂肪酸、黏多糖并含有多种维生素及钙、锌、铁、硒等多种微量元素，其蛋白质含量高达84.2%，脂肪仅为0.2%，是理想的高蛋白低脂肪食品。
Fish Maw has the effects of nourishing yin and lungs, the kidney and essence, and moisturizing skin. Its main component is high-grade collagen, which is rich in iodic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, mucopolysaccharides, and contains a variety of vitamins, calcium, zinc, iron, selenium and other trace elements. Its protein content is as high as 84.2%, and its fat is only 0.2%. It is an ideal high-protein low-fat food.
除此之外，花胶能增强肌肉组织的韧性和弹力，增强体力，可助人体消除疲劳、防止皮肤老化，使皮肤细腻光润，有保健及美容的食疗作用，还能增强胃肠的消化吸收功能。产后吃花胶也可促进子宫恢复，让伤口更快更好愈合。花胶的作用功效如此之多，因此也越来越受到广大街坊的追捧。
In addition, Fish Maw can enhance the toughness and elasticity of muscle tissue, enhance physical strength, help the human body eliminate fatigue, prevent skin aging, make the skin delicate and smooth, and can also enhance the gastrointestinal function. Consuming Fish Maw after childbirth can also promote the recovery of the uterus and make the wound heal faster and better. Many people sought after Fish Maw because it is very beneficial to the human body.
但是市面上的花胶，种类繁多，价格也差异甚大，如何能挑选到适合自己的花胶？
However, there are many kinds of Fish Maw on the market, and the prices vary greatly. But which type of Fish Maw is suitable for you? We will go into details below.
02.花胶的分类 Classification of Fish Maw
市场上常见的花胶很多，大约有二十几种，细分多达数百种。其品种因鱼而异，大多数都是咸水鱼。当中一大半花胶的品种都来自于石首鱼科，而且最名贵的也是石首类鱼胶，比如金钱鳘胶、房胶、蜘蛛胶、白花胶、赤嘴胶、土鳘胶、北海胶、安南胶、金龙胶、越南蜘蛛胶等。
There are many common Fish Maw in the market, roughly 20 kinds, and hundreds of subdivided ones. The species varies from fish to fish, most of which are saltwater fish. Most of the Fish Maw are from the sciaenidae family, and the most valuable are the Fish Maw of the sciaenidae, such as Chinese Bahaba Maw, Cuja Bola Maw, Spider Maw, White Fish Maw, Red Mouth Maw, Miiuy Maw, etc. Among them, Red Mouth Maw is the most complicated one among many varieties of Fish Maw.
03.花胶的质量辨别 Quality of Fish Maw
很多街坊都有疑问，花胶的品种、规格这么多，是不是越贵越好？如何选择适合自己的？
There are many varieties and specifications of Fish Maw, is it the more expensive the better? How to choose the one that suits you?
不同品种的花胶，其具体效果也略有不同，并不是越贵越好，要适合自己的才是最好的。
Different varieties of Fish Maw have slightly different specific effects. It is not that the more expensive the better, what’s best is the one that suits you.
市场上常听到“广肚”这一叫法，这往往特指体形较大的鱼肚。广肚有雌雄之分，雄性的“广肚公”形如马鞍，肚身中部较厚，而两边较薄，身呈V字条纹，以质地结实、厚身、干淡、呈金黄色为佳，呈半透明状为上品，烹调后结实弹牙。雌性的“广肚乸” 则略圆而平展，形似波板，身呈横纹或呈波浪纹，质较薄，质感、口感均略逊。通常认为公肚好于母肚。
The term “Wide Maw” is often heard in the market, which often refers to the larger fish belly. There are males and females in Wide Maw. The male “Wide Male Maw” is shaped like a saddle. The middle part of the Maw is thicker, and the sides are thinner. The body has V-shaped stripes. It is preferably strong, thick, dry and golden. Translucent consider top grade, strong elastic teeth after cooking. The female “Wide Maw” is slightly round and flat, shaped like a corrugated board, with a horizontal or wavy body, thin in texture, and slightly inferior in texture and taste. Male Maw is generally considered better than female Maw.
此外，同一品种的鱼胶，其规格一般按重量、干度等来区分，主要以重量来区分。民间有“十斤鱼一两胶” 的说法，重量越大，价格就越高。
In addition, the specifications of the Fish Maw of the same species are generally distinguished by weight, dryness, etc., mainly by weight. There is a folk saying that “Ten Catties of Fish, One Tael of Maw”, the heavier the weight, the higher the price.
04.挑选好的花胶，可以从这些特征入手 Characteristics of Good Fish Maw
– 外形板块大，厚成紧实、均匀，色泽呈淡黄、洁净、有光泽，半透明，无血筋无粘物，年限越陈越珍贵.
– Large shaped, thickness is tight and uniform, light yellow colored, clean, shiny, translucent, no blood mark, no stickies, and aged Maws are the most precious.
– 看花胶形态是否完整，波纹是否清晰、干度纯、没有油脂、无杂质、色泽白或淡黄色，没有变黑或花心为好.
– Check whether the shape of the Fish Maw is complete, whether the corrugation is clear, the dryness is pure, there is no grease, no impurities, the color is white or light yellow, and the center is not black.
– 优质的花胶炖煮后不腥不化，滑身爽口.
– High-quality Fish Maw does not taste or smell fishy or melt after stewed, and it is smooth and refreshing.
05.花胶的浸发与保存 Soaking and Preservation of Fish Maw
花胶的浸发方法主要有水发、油发和蒸发三种。一般水发操作简单，使用最广。
There are three main methods for soaking Fish Maw: water, oil and steam. Generally, soaking in water is the simplest and the most widely used method.
水发的方法：对于体形较小、厚度一般的花胶，可用清水浸泡4个小时左右，待花胶软身即可切开小块使用；对于体形较大、质厚的花胶，可用清水浸泡过夜，待花胶软身即可切开小块使用。注意花胶在浸发时，切忌与煮虾、蟹的水接触，以免沾染异味。
Soaking in water: For small-sized and average-thick Fish Maw, you can soak them in water for about 4 hours. After the Fish Maw are soft, you can cut them into small pieces. For larger and thick Fish Maw, you can soak them in water overnight, when the Maw is soft, it can be cut into smaller pieces and for used. Note that when Fish Maw is in process of soaking, it should not be in contact with the water of the boiled shrimps and crabs, so it is not contaminated with odors.
浸发好的花胶可以放入有姜片的开水中滚约15分钟以去除腥味即可炖煮。浸发好的花胶不宜久存，应尽快食用。每人每次用量为20-30克左右，小孩、老人酌量。
The soaked Fish Maw can be boiled in boiling water with ginger slices for about 15 minutes to remove the fishy smell. Soaked Fish Maw should not be stored for a long time and should be consumed as soon as possible. The dosage per person is about 20-30 grams each time, and the amount is appropriate for children and the elderly.
花胶储存年份愈久愈好。存放花胶最怕受潮、生虫，可将花胶放于胶箱、陶瓷等容器中保存，底部放吸潮湿剂，密封放置。也可放在米缸保存，或者用塑料袋密封后放于干爽通风地方保存。每年干爽的季节可以把花胶拿出来适当晾晒，但不宜暴晒，经暴晒的花胶会卷曲和开裂。
The longer the Fish Maw is stored, the better. It is best to avoid Fish Maw getting moisture and infested with insects. Maw can be stored in plastic boxes, ceramics and other containers with moisture-absorbing agent on the bottom. It can also be stored in a rice jar or sealed in a plastic bag and stored in a dry and ventilated place. During dry season of each year, the Fish Maw can be taken out to dry, but it is not suitable to be exposed to the sun. Exposing Fish Maw in the sun will cause Maw to curl and crack.
06.什么时候吃花胶？When do you eat Fish Maw?
最好是晚上或早上吃，空腹吃效果最佳，比较容易吸收。尽量避免晚上太晚食用。
It is best to eat Fish Maw at night or in the morning. It is also best to eat Maw on an empty stomach and is easier to absorb. Try to avoid eating Maw late at night.
07.花胶食疗方 Fish Maw Recipes
# 1. 花胶红枣汤 Fish Maw Red Date Sweet Soup
做法：花胶15克，红枣（去核）4-5个，加水适量，炖大概2-3个小时，放入冰糖炖至融化即可食用。
1. 15 grams of Fish Maw
2. 4-5 Red Dates (Pits removed)
3. Add appropriate amount of water
4. Simmer 2-3 hours
5. Add rock sugar until melted and ready to serve
功效：适用于补气血、养容颜；对于气血不足，失于调养，症见神疲体倦，肌肤不泽，面部皱纹者尤佳。
This is suitable for tonifying qi and blood, nourishing beauty; it is especially good for people with loss of recuperation, people with fatigue, and wrinkles.
# 2. 花胶骨头汤 Fish Maw Pork Bone Soup
做法：花胶15克，加半斤到一斤猪骨或鸡骨，加水适量，文火煲2-3小时后加盐调味即可食用。
1. 15 grams of Fish Maw
2. Half a catty to a catty of pork bones or chicken bones
3. Add appropriate amount of water
4. Simmer 2-3 hours
5. Add salt to taste and ready to serve
功效：适用于健脾养血、补肾益精，提高免疫力。
This soup is suitable for invigorating the spleen and blood, nourishing the kidney and essence, and improving immunity.
来源｜广州医科大学附属中医医院，作者：药学部 邓志军
Source | Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, author: Pharmacy Deng Zhijun
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