What is Fish Maw?

Fish maw is simply dried fish swim bladder.

Fish maw is often represented as one of the four precious Chinese delicacies of the sea (along with abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin)

What nutrition does Ling fish maw have?

Ling fish maw is rich in collagen.
It contains lots of protein (up to 84.2%) and is low in fats (only 0.2%)

Fish maw also includes a variety of vitamins, calcium, etc.

Will Dried Fish Maw expire?

Because we dry and process our NZ Ling Fish Maw with machine under strict temperature and hygiene control, our Ling Fish Maw can last for many years.

Just store our Ling Fish Maw in a cool and dry place and there is no need at all to worry about expiration. The longer you leave it, the more valuable and tastier it becomes

P.S.: Avoid storing dried fish maw in the refrigerator because moisture in the refrigerator can cause the fish maw to turn bad.

How long can an already prepared/soaked fish maw last?

Although dried fish maw will not expire (in fact, the older, the more valuable), but an already prepared/soaked fish maw is recommended to be consumed within 3-7 days.
Storage time can be extended to 1 month if it is stored in the freezer.

However, it is still recommended to prepare/soak sufficient but not excessive fish maw to ensure you are eating its top quality and nutrition.

How to store fish maw?

Because we dry and process our Ling Fish Maw with machine under strict temperature and hygiene control, our Ling Fish Maw can last for many years.

Just store our Ling Fish Maw in a cool and dry place and there is no need at all to worry about expiration.

The longer you leave it, the more valuable and tastier it becomes.

How to prepare NZ Ling Fish Maw?

Easy-peasy ~
Here are the simple steps to prepare NZ Ling Fish Maw:

1️⃣ Wash Ling Fish Maw
2️⃣ Soak Fish Maw in cold water with water level fully covering the Ling Fish Maw. Put it in the fridge overnight (8-12 hours)
Remarks: Make sure to put the fish maw in the fridge to prevent it from turning bad plus to keep its “Q” (chewy and bouncy) texture.

3️⃣ Steam the NZ Ling Fish Maw for 3-5 minutes or until the Ling Fish Maw is expanded and curled (depending on the hardness and thickness of the Fish Maw)
4️⃣Take out the Ling Fish Maw. Rinse it. Soak it in cold water and put it in the fridge overnight (8-12 hours)
5️⃣ Ling Fish Maw is ready to be cooked with your preferred recipe. You can also keep it in the freezer for future use.

Remarks:
When soaking fish maw, make sure all utensils are free of oil

What are the benefits of eating fish maw?

Fish Maw is rich in collagen and it holds many nutritional values.

The major benefits of fish maw are:
1️⃣ Skin nourishment
The collagen in fish maw helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce visible wrinkles.

2️⃣ “Yin” nourishment and better babies growth
The nutrients are beneficial for pregnant women and are helpful in promoting babies’ growth and development.

3️⃣General health care
Enhance the digestive function of the elderly, prevent loss of appetite, and prevent mental decline

4️⃣Blood and kidney replenishment
The multivitamins and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron, selenium) of fish maw invigorates blood circulation and replenishes kidney

5️⃣ Wound recovery
The collagen of fish maw benefits wound healing and shortens the recovery period. Thus, it’s extremely suitable for postpartum mothers and post-surgery patients

6️⃣ Better immune system
The amino acids in fish maw helps to enhance our physical strength and immune system

How to identify fake fish maw?

It’s shocking and disappointing to know that fake fish maw exists.
So make sure you know how to spot fake fish maw so that you don’t buy the fake ones from unethical sources.
The fake fish maw in the market are normally made of pig’s skin, plastic, or a mixture of seafood skin and fin combined using chemicals.

It’s not hard to tell if you pay attention to the following:
1️⃣ Translucence – Real fish maw allows light to pass through and is not opaque. Under the illumination of light, you can see your finger.

2️⃣ Smell – Real fish maw has light sea water smell whereas fake fish maw emits no smell or chemical/plastic smell.

3️⃣ Grain – Real fish maw has natural grains whereas fake fish maw does not have obvious and orderly grain

4️⃣ Colour – Real fish maw has golden yellow colour whereas fake fish maw has light and whitish yellow unnatural colour”

Why are some Ling Fish Maw red in colour or have some red stains on it?

It is normal for real natural ling fish maw to have some red stains.

During the fishing process, the ling fish maw is captured in a big fishing net and most fish are squeezed or being stacked on, causing their blood sacs to burst.
After processing, their blood stains become the red color we see on the fish maw.

There are also some ling fish maw that show little or no red stains. The reason for this is because they are placed on the upper top position in the fishing net and are not squeezed, thus remaining a cleaner look.
However, only less than 5% of fish could be at the top of the net. Therefore, with the limited supply, its price is much more expensive.

In terms of its nutrients and therapeutic effects, there is no difference between fish maw with or without red/blood stains. The only difference is its taste, the ling fish maw with more red stains color have a stronger fishy smell.