Is it more cost-effective to buy large or small abalone? Why is dried abalone more expensive?

Abalone, one of the eight delicacies of the sea, is listed as the first of the "eight delicacies of water" in my country. Generally, larger abalones are tastier, with thicker and more chewy meat, but the larger the abalone, the more expensive it is. It can be used for braising or making seafood stew. Is it more cost-effective to buy large or small abalone? Do you often struggle with this? Here is a solution for you. Make your life happier.

Contents of this article

1. Is it more cost-effective to buy large or small abalone?

2. Why is dried abalone more expensive?

3. Can abalone still be eaten if it becomes hard?

Is it more cost-effective to buy big or small abalone?

It is recommended to buy medium-sized abalone, such as 6-9 heads, which are delicious and cost-effective. Generally, larger abalones are tastier, with thicker and more chewy meat, but the larger the abalone, the more expensive it is. Abalones with 6-9 heads are more affordable, and they are not small in size. The meat is very tender and delicious, and can be used for braising or making seafood stew. Although small abalones with more than ten heads or even 30-40 heads are cheaper, it is not recommended to choose them. First, the taste is not good enough, and second, it is more troublesome to clean, which is time-consuming and laborious.

Why is dried abalone more expensive?

Abalone is one of the treasures of the sea. Due to its relatively high growth requirements and low yield, its price has always been high.

Abalone, one of the eight delicacies of the sea, is listed as the first of the "eight delicacies of water" in my country.

Abalone grows very slowly, taking about 5 to 10 years to reach edible stage, which is one of the reasons why abalone is so valuable.

Fresh abalone needs to go through a series of complex and meticulous processing steps such as airing, salting, boiling, drying, and hanging to become dried abalone, and a 1,500-gram fresh abalone can only produce about 250 grams of dried abalone after processing. This is one of the reasons why dried abalone is expensive.

Can abalone be eaten if it becomes hard?

If fresh abalone becomes hard, it is generally not recommended to eat it, because such abalone is no longer fresh and may have bred a large number of bacteria, which may cause physical discomfort after human consumption. If the abalone is hardened due to being steamed for too long, it can still be eaten, but relatively speaking, the taste of the abalone will be worse, but it will not have an adverse effect on the body.