How long can fish maw be kept
As long as you store it properly, it can be stored for decades without any problems.
Day after day, year after year, fish maw has undergone decades of changes, from new fish maw to old fish maw, the color has become darker, the fiber has become harder, and the meat has become more tender. The quality of fish maw has not only not deteriorated, but has become even better.
Generally, fish maws that are more than ten years old are called "old body", "old water" or "old fish maw".
Can fish maw be put in the refrigerator?
Fish maw is most afraid of moisture and insects. It can be stored in a ceramic or wooden container with desiccant or quicklime at the bottom and sealed. You can also put a few star anise in it to repel insects. If the fish maw is properly made and sufficiently dry, just place it in a cool place and avoid moisture. Aged fish maw will preserve its value better. However, if the fish maw you bought is not dry enough, you can also put it in a refrigerator below 4℃ to avoid insects and mold. But please note that the soaked fish maw should not be stored for a long time.
How to store fish maw
Fish maw is not as "fragile" as everyone imagines. In the homes of older friends or some time-honored seafood shops, large pieces of fish maw are usually hung on beams or directly on the wall.
The longer fish maw can be stored, the better. Generally speaking, fish maw can be stored at room temperature. As long as it is placed in a ventilated and cool place, fish maw will basically not deteriorate. To prevent the fish maw from getting damp, put the fish maw out to air in the dry season every year, or expose it to the sun, but avoid direct sunlight, as it will cause the fish maw to curl and crack.
What to do if there are bugs growing on fish maw
First of all, don’t be afraid, and don’t flush the fish maw or throw it directly into the trash can... (dizzy)
The weather in Hong Kong is very humid, and insects are a common problem (don’t be surprised, I’m serious... =_= )
Although fish maw is easy to preserve, sometimes during the storage process, some new fish maw, especially those from saltwater areas that have not been fully washed with fresh water, may grow black hairy "fish maw worms" in the first two or three years if the temperature, humidity, and sealing conditions are not ideal. The fish maw worms mainly eat the fish maw colloid (mainly the oil and blood vessels).
What we call "fish maw bugs" are actually a global stored product pest called "white-bellied dermestid", which specifically harms various stored grains, leather and skins. The white-bellied dermestid has a short lifespan, and its life cycle is related to the environment, but is generally within a few months. So sometimes we see black bugs on fish maw, which are already dead or have turned into adults (like fireflies).
If you see bugs, just take out the fish maw and remove any bugs visible to the naked eye (they are very stupid, and the adult bugs can't fly at all. When I was a child, I would catch them to feed the fish... ). You can use a toothbrush or a small brush to slowly dry-brush the fish maw. If it is a fish maw tube, check and brush the inside of the tube, then let it dry in the sun and then put it in a dry place to let it air for a day or two. (You can also use a dehumidifier to help)
Fish maw with "worms" is just like vegetables that have not been sprayed with pesticides. Although they may have worms, they can still be eaten after being processed. Don't worry~