Thank goodness for the lowly blue crab. What would our epicurean lives be without this deliciously savory crustacean? Yet, they often do not get the respect they deserve. The blue crab is of considerable culinary and economic importance in the USA. Moreover, it is the Maryland state crustacean and the state’s largest commercial fishery. Unfortunately, due to overfishing and environmental pressures, some of the fisheries have declined, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay fishery.
“Callinectes sapidus”
These small bluish crustaceans are harvested from the mid Atlantic region crab fishery in Chesapeake Bay, to Florida, and along the Gulf states as far west as Texas. It’s beautiful blue shell and delicious flavour is well represented by this crustacean’s scientific name “callinectes sapidus”. Calli is Greek for “beautiful”, nectes means “swimmer”, and sapidus is Latin for “savory”.
In the Shadow of the Lobster
Most crabs, except the luxurious King Crab, live out their meek and humble lives in the shadow of the lobster, the king of seafood. Yet for those in the know, that is okay because that just means more for us, right? Seriously, where would ‘imperial’ and delicious ‘Maryland Style’ be without tender and tasty blue crabs? Ah yes, many nights spent in bittersweet joy, after having your fill at the dinner table with those lowly crustaceans. Slurping, picking and dipping those juicy morsels through butter, old bay, or whatever seasonings you prefer, all the while feeling so sorry for those pitiful crabs that get no respect.
Yield and Shell Types
Let’s pick on the blue crab some more shall we? All puns intended and accepted.
Some will say that they hate to pick out the meat because it is so much work for very little crab meat. Well in a way their complaint is justified. Typically the blue crab will yield only 10% to 15% of its body weight in crab meat. The crabs grow by molting or shedding their shell and growing back a larger one. Just prior to molting, the crab will be encased in both the soft, new shell which is forming underneath the hard old shell. The formation of a new shell is evident along the margins of the swimming paddles of a crab. The crab is referred to as a “peeler” or “shedder”.
Immediately after the molt, the crab’s new shell is soft, pliable and easily stretched. At this time the crab would be referred to as a ” soft shelled crab”. Many crab lovers will only eat a soft shell, which is simply a delightful dish when lightly tossed in flour and pan fried.
Types of Crab Meat
The main types of crab meat are the lump, backfin, specials and claw meat.
The lump is from the largest pieces of meat from the body, adjacent to the backfin and is the most expensive form of crabmeat. The backfin is the white body meat including lump and large flakes and is used for crab cakes and crab imperial. Specials are flakes of white body meat other than lump and are used for crab cakes, soups, dips and casseroles. The claw meat is brownish meat from the claws and is best for dips and soups.
Some more Blue Crab facts
Besides it’s scientific name meaning “beautiful swimmer that is savory”, there are tons of other interesting facts about blue crabs that the average person might not know. Here are a few:
- Crabs reach maturity in 12 to 18 months.
- Few crabs live longer than 3 years.
- The largest crab recorded from Maryland was a male measuring 9 inches; however bigger crabs (10-11 inches) have been captured.
- The annual harvest of hard crabs from Chesapeake Bay accounts for over 50% of total U.S. landings.
- Cannibalism of young blue crabs by larger crabs is common and may regulate population abundance.
- A spring-spawned crab can reach a size of 2½ inches by their first winter.
Steamed Blue Crabs
Description
For steamed crabs, that beach-town summer standby, the Chesapeake catechism teaches plenty: buy more crabs than you think you need, use more spice, a larger pot. Get wooden mallets. Prepare to eat for a while!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup seafood seasoning, salt, beer, and vinegar in a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a strong simmer.
- Right before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind mouth.
- Fit a screen over the beer mixture and layer the crabs on the screen. Be sure that the crabs are above the simmering liquid. Cover.
- Steam crabs until they turn bright orange and all of the blue/green color is gone, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup seafood seasoning before serving.
Final thoughts
Serve and enjoy blue crabs at your next party or cook-out and guarantee yourself the adoration of an appreciative group of seafood lovers. Finally, don’t feel sorry for the blue crab, they get more respect than they know.
