Types of Crab: Atlantic and Pacific
Blue Crab This crab is one of the main types of crab frequently called for in crab cake recipes. In the ocean it’s a blue-green, and its name means “beautiful swimmer.” These crabs range in size from roughly three inches to six inches. They’re native to the western side of the Atlantic Ocean, from Canada to Brazil. They’re very common in the Chesapeake Bay, hence their connection to traditional American crab cakes. Dungeness Crab Bigger than the blue crab and arguably the most common Pacific coast crab, from Alaska to Northern California. Dungeness crabs are named after the town of Dungeness on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula. They grow to about 10 inches in size, and are known for their sweet taste. Snow Crab Also known as Alaska Snow Crab, they live in cold waters in the northern Pacific and the northern Atlantic. They grow larger than Dungeness crabs. They have a slightly tougher texture than Dungeness crab and king crab. King Crab Known by several other names, including Alaska King Crab, Russian King Crab and Norwegian King Crab. King crab actually includes about 30 different species, all native to the cold waters around Alaska. They were introduced to the northern Atlantic, where their numbers have grown exponentially. King crab lives up to its name: some species can reach 25 pounds and measure 10 feet across. Despite its size, only about a fourth of it is edible, mostly its legs and claws. Rock Crab These are also called Peekytoe crabs, Maine rock crabs or sand crabs. They live in the rocks along the coast of the eastern United States and also in deep water. Its claws don’t contain much meat; what’s there is usually blended with other crab meats. Stone Crab These are a distant cousin of the blue crab, but have much bigger claws, distinctive for their black tips. Their meat is considered very sweet. Don't miss these related pages...
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