Crabs have a higher variation in the world, with more than 4000 Types of crab. This article will introduce 7 edible types of crabs.

Crabs come from the crustacean family that has got a complete evolution throughout world history. They are considered to be as old as Dinosaurs as well.  Along with the increased number of crab species, they have owned different sizes, the content of flesh, awesome habits, and lots of unique features. For example, you will find crabs from the size of half an inch to several feet when measuring the claw to claw distance.

As a better protein source, crabs deliver some essential and unique nutrients for the consumers. Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin B12, and Selenium are enriched in crabs. Here are 10 crab species that can attract your favor as edible types of crabs.

1. King Crab Is The First Among Edible Types Of Crab

King crabs are the most delicate flesh-owned crab species in the world. Since they have delicious food, king crabs have a higher demand in the market as well.  King crabs are considered to be the most expensive edible crab species in the world as well. The larger bodies of these crabs are another reason to claim a high price in the markets. These crabs can grow up to 30cm in length and a weight of 13kg.  Known as the Red King crabs in the European and Northern American Abbreviation, these crabs can tolerate cooler conditions. They have been found in cooler temperatures that range from -3C to 12C, which makes them more available in the North Pacific Ocean.

There are several subspecies in the King Crab type which have different tastes in the flesh. Being one of the tastiest and Edible Types of Crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus or The Alaskan King Crab has got a delicious nature in the taste. The color of their body is a good parameter to set the high prices. Although the brownish bodies stay low in the living mode, the cooked crabs can be seen in red color, which is the most addictive color for hunger.

2. Japanese Spider Crab

If you mind the taste only but not the appearance, the Japanese spider crab is going to be a nice match for your crab fever. As one of the Edible Types Of Crabs, they are found in Japan mainly. The habitat and the food habit are stronger than the typical crabs. First, they can live in any depth under any reduction of the temperature.

Secondly, you can find these creatures depending on different food sources, which means they can eat even debris as well as the dead fish. Also, it has been found that the Japanese Spider Crab has a life expectancy of over a hundred years. Therefore, you won’t mind having extra-long legs for these amazing creatures as well.

The crab is known as the Macrocheira kaempferi scientifically. It has got longer claws than any other edible crab types of crabs as well. Although the crab looks scary, the Japanese Spider Crab has got a maximum weight of 18kg. Also, the length of the crab can be measured as 3.5m after expanding its lengthy legs. As you already know, the catching techniques, labor, and the efforts go for catching defines the price of the carbs. When it come sot the Japanese Spider Crabs, it doesn’t have any aggressiveness, unlike other edible types of carb in the world. Therefore, a buyer can buy the flesh of this crab species cheaper than a typical edible crab species.

3. Brown Crab

The brown crab is one of the edible types of crabs in the world for a reasonable price. Although the crabs are made expensive due to the increased price, brown carb is always a somewhat relief for a tasting person. It has got all the qualities that a crab needs to have, the delicate taste, sweetness, and fleshy sound. Other than Norway and Portugal, like European countries, the USA has become the regular tasting country of the brown crab.

Unlike the inedible brown crab, the Brown crab is a larger creature. It has got dark spots all over the body. If you are looking for an alternative for fish, the brown crab will be a great source to get the nutrients. The Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, as well as EPA and DHA are available in the brown crabs. Lowered blood pressure, inflammation, antioxidation, and good mental health are the benefits that you can claim with the brown crab for a reasonable price. But, you have to remember that there is a season for them. When it comes to the USA, that will be between November to May.

 4. Snow Crab

Genetically named Chionoecete, the Snow crabs have been named after the snow, meaning in Greek. As the way their names sound, these crabs can be found in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The tolerance of the cooler climate is a positive factor when compared to the other crab species.

Also, Snow crabs can live in cooler climates ranging from _13C to 13C, which is higher than the King Crab types. When coming to their origin, they were discovered in Alaska, similar to the red King Crabs. These crabs have white and grey bodies, which may differ according to the habitat of the crabs. The most popular crab types of this species are the spider crabs and the queen crabs.

Snow crabs don’t grow into higher weights, similar to other crab types in Alaska. Also, the body size is smaller than most of the edible types of crab. They grow up to 17cm and weigh a maximumly of 1.5kg. The main reason for being inexpensive for the snow flesh is their color. When it comes to the consumable flesh content, snow crabs have got a less amount as flesh than all other edible types of crabs. But, you should remember that the Snow Crabs have got easily breakable claws which expose the meat immediately after the breaking as well. 

5. Mud Crab

Lived mainly in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Crab is one of the delicious edible types of carbs in the world. Although they are named after the mud, the taste of these crabs will be higher than any crab species in the world. They grow up to 1 ft in length and weigh up to 2-5kg. Other than the taste they bear in the flesh, their catching and farming techniques are unique.

These crabs are farmed in the muddy spots or lagoons where they get favorable conditions. After the removal of the shell, the mud crabs are left for growing the shell. When they have a shell that is suitable for export, they are harvested by the farmers.

Although Singapore is the main exporter of the Sri Lankan Mud Crab, you will be able to order them from Sri Lanka.  Even if you have tasted all edible crab types in the world, you will become a Sri Lankan Mud Crab fan from the first tasting.

6. Florida Stone Crab Is One of the Most Expensive Edible Types Of Crab

Scientifically known as Menippe mercenaria, the Florid Stone crab is one of the popular edible types of crab with a higher customer agitation.  They are caught in the warm waters all over the world. But, they are more popular in Florida and other sub-urban areas due to the delicious taste of the crabs’ flesh.

The brownish color skin, thicker shell, the pincers on the front are the unique features these crabs have got. When coming to harvesting, Florida Stone Carbs are available from mid-Oct to Mid-May in the Florida Sea. The Florida Stone crab has got a sweet taste. When compared to other crabs in the world, Stones crabs have got more sweetness in the flesh as well.

Most of the people use to avoid eh consumption the stone crab flesh due to its increased prices. If a customer can buy one kilo of Florida Crab Flesh, he will be able to have King Crab flesh two kilos for the same price. Since the labor cost is higher and the availability is less, the price has increased.

The catching technique has been a bit strange when compared to the other types of crabs as they are sent to the ocean once. After pulling crabs, one claw is pulled out for flesh and sent to the ocean again, where they get to grow the claw again. They have the ability to grow a removed claw within 15-21 months.

7. Horsehair Crab

This crab species is a limited species in Japan. They can decorate the cuisine on Japanese plates with the milky flavor of the flesh. Scientifically known as the Erimacrus isenbeckii, the Horsehair crabs are identical with their bumpy shell cover. If you can remember the look of the Predator in the Schwarzenegger movie, they will appear to you in that manner. Horsehair crabs have got the name due to the spikes it has got on its body. When it comes to the claws, the horsehair look has spread across those parts a swell.

Horsehair crabs are not only found in Japan Sea but in the Alaskan sea, where most of the edible types of crab are found as well. But, they are mainly available in Japan. The Horsehair crabs are considered to be one of the most expensive crab species in the world due to their deliciousness. If you expect to have tasted the crab, you will have to find the cooking method to be weird. The crabs are boiled in saltwater to preserve the delicate taste. If you are Xanthid crabs-avoiding person, you will not have to include these edible crab types as they do not contain poison.

Conclusion

The mentioned 07 edible types of crabs contain different characteristics regarding taste. If you have more plans in your mind for having a different taste, crabs will have more plans with more than 100 edible crab species in the world. It means you can try several crab species in the market as well. The most important thing is to have an edible crab species. Markets will contain healthy edible crab types for sure. When it comes to your crabbing experience, you have to make sure that they are free from poisonous ingredients before eating.

If you compare crabs with fish, you will see that fish are always behind the different edible types of crabs except the price. Having to pay an extra amount for the deliciousness and the higher nutrient content will not be a thing to think twice if you make up the mind.