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Crabs are among the most popular wild and cultured seafoods globally and
comprise about 20% of marine crustaceans consumed. They fall under the same
scientific classification as shrimps and lobsters with several legs covered in an
external skeleton or shell. In the case of crabs, most of the edible meat is found in
the front claws like lobsters. Other bigger varieties also yield meat from the other
legs. Some species grow to an incredible size like the coconut crab native to the
Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the largest land-living arthropod (animals with
external skeletons including spiders and insects) in the world with a leg span of three
feet weighting up to four kilograms!
Unlike squid, cuttlefish and octopus, crabs take more steps to prepare and
consume since the tender edible meat is enclosed in a hard shell exoskeleton
though there are some species of soft-shell crabs that are entirely edible. In some
Asian cuisines, the fat as well as the roe or eggs of the female crab are also
consumed. The smaller morsels of meat are also carefully extracted from inside the
body enclosed by a hard carapace. It takes some skill to get the meat from the
body of crabs which also has the inedible gills and other organs. This is probably
why most just prefer to crack open the claws and legs for bigger chunks of the
delectable juicy meat.
Crabs are also great additions to salads and mixed seafood soup. For some
preparations like crab cakes and chowder, only the tender flaky meat is needed
while other recipes like Singaporean chili crabs, it is cooked whole with spices and
traditionally served with an apron and crab claw cracker. Having a mild flavor,
cook them in simple dishes to let the mild ocean flavors come out.
Like other seafoods, crab prices vary depending on the source, rarity and
proximity to the place where they are caught. Snow crabs caught off the frigid
waters of the Arctic Ocean in Newfoundland, Greenland and Norway fetch
exorbitant prices due to the immense effort (not to mention hazards) it takes to
catch them. Male and female crabs are also segregated in markets while the more
tender and meaty females fetching a higher price.
Do note that not all types of crabs are edible. Though not poisonous, tiny
hermit crabs that inhabit the abandoned shells of other sea creatures will not yield
much meat. Other species are toxic so care must be taken when deep sea fishing
and a seemingly harmless-looking creature is caught in the net.
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