Blue Crab

These small blue crabs are not only unique and beautiful looking but they are meant to be one of the favourite varieties of crab available. The are mainly caught within the Mid Atlantic region and more specifically in Chesapeake Bay, all the way to Florida and along the Gulf States.

For those who don't know much about the Blue Crab or have even heard of the Blue Crab, there are differing opinions by many people who consume them. Lets have a short insight into this species and some true facts regarding them. 

Many individuals say that the Blue crab is simply too much work for one self as there is not a great deal of crab meat available for the work that has to be put in. It is true that there is not a lot of meat as the typical Blue crab will only yield approximately 10-15% of its body weight. The crabs grow by moulting their old shell allowing a new softer shell to grow under the current one. This crab is often referred to as the peeler or shedder. Many people who are a fan of crab meat will only consume the soft shell.

Types of crab meat within the Blue Crab:

1. Lump meat is specific to the Blue crab and is the most expensive meat from this crab. This meat can be found next to the back fin.
2. The back fin is the white body meat including lump meat as well as flakes. Many recipes that use this meat are the infamous crab cakes and crab imperial.
3. The delicate and tasty flake meat can also be used for crab cakes, soups, dips, casseroles, coleslaw's and much more.
4. The claw meat from the blue crab is most typically used for crab dips, soups and salsas.

General Blue Crab facts:

1. Callinectes sapidus means "Beautiful swimmer that is savory".
2. These crabs reach maturity as early as one to one and a half years old.
3. Not many of the Blue Crabs live longer than 3 years.
4. The biggest crabs recorded have been up to 10-11 inches.
5. The yearly fishing of Blue Crabs from Chesapeake bay accounts for over 50% of American Blue Crab consumption.
6. The younger blue crabs are eaten by Larger ones which can reduce their numbers and prevent them from growing in abundance.

Dungeness crab