Crab Information & Varieties
Due to the lack of in depth information about the various types of edible crab species available online I decided to put this nifty little crab guide together. In it I will provide detailed information about the various crab types, preparation and buying tips. This site is a work in progress so check back occasionally for updates.
Crabs are decapod crustaceans and over 4400 species exist worldwide. One and a half million tonnes of crab is consumed every year and the majority of it comes from less than 10 species. This makes crab the second most popular shellfish, shrimp is the first.
- King crabs are among the most sought after crabs in the world and are commonly sold in top restaurants. They are generally found in cold waters such as the Bering Sea and can weigh up to 25 pounds. Although they are very large, only the meat from their legs is desirable. There are 4 main species: red king crabs, blue king crabs, golden king crabs and scarlet king crabs. Red kings are the most desirable, however blue and golden varieties are great as well. Although scarlets are edible, they are very small and contain minute amounts of meat so they are not commercially fished. For more detailed information about king crabs please check out our accompanying Alaskan king crab article.
- Dungeness crab which can be found all along the west coast of north America got it's name from the former town of Dungeness, Washington where it was first commercially harvested. It is the most popular Pacific crab and usually weighs 1.5 to 3 pounds. Its meat has a sweet, mild nutty taste and is very tender. You can find further information regarding this species of crab in my accompanying Dungeness crab article.
- Peekytoe crab or Maine rock crab are found on the Atlantic coast. Until recently the value of this crab was overlooked, however it is now very sought after for its sweet pink meat. This variety can not be shipped alive and extreme care must be taken when cooking and extracting the crabmeat.
- Blue crabs, widely called Maryland crabs are the most abundant species of crab found on the US east coast. They have beautiful bluish green coloring that turns red when they are cooked and you can find them 4 inches to 6 inches and larger. Although most are consumed as hard shell crabs, if they are caught just after molting they can be eaten unpeeled as soft shell crabs.
- Stone crabs are primarily harvested in Florida from Mid October to May. Named for their rock hard claws, their meat is sweet and firm. Only the claws of this species are edible, so fishermen catch them and remove 1 claw, then release them with 1 remaining claw to defend themselves. The claws are boiled, frozen and served cold with sauce.
- Other varieties include rock and horseshoe crabs. Rock crabs, sometimes called snow crabs or spider crabs are found amongst rocks and in the deep water off the US east coast. Their spider-like legs give them their name. Horseshoe crab are primarily found along the Northern Atlantic coast of North America and the Gulf of Mexico. Named for their horseshoe shape they are edible however contain very little meat.
Crab is available in a variety of forms including, live, raw, cooked, frozen and canned. Unless you are buying frozen king crab legs, I suggest you buy fresh crab whenever possible. Keep in mind it can take upwards of 10 hard shelled crabs to yield 1 pound of meat. 6 hard shell crabs per person is usually adequate. I prefer to buy crab online from reputable gourmet seafood suppliers to ensure freshness.
Live crabs should be lively with a fresh ocean aroma. Don't buy it if it smells fishy. It is best to buy live crab on the day you plan to consume it and keep it refrigerated. Raw fresh crabmeat should also be kept cold and consumed within 24 hours of purchase. Frozen crab meat will last up to 4 months in the freezer and canned meat will last up to 6 months.
If you are unsure how to cook crab I have posted several healthy recipes and cooking tips on this site, including crab salad and crab cakes. The traditional ways of preparing whole crab include steaming, broiling, boiling and baking. Depending on what form of crab you buy, some methods are better than others. So please check out our recipes to find the best cooking method for your crab.
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