Learn about the origin story of the famous Maryland crab cake.
You can find crab cakes on the menu in many states, but Maryland crab cakes are in a league of their own. At Box Hill, our world-famous crab cakes are so loved that they are shipped all over the U.S. to our beloved customers. Continue reading to learn more about the history and origin story of the famous Maryland crab cake!
19th Century
The origins of the crab cake start at Native American cuisine in the Chesapeake region. In the 19th century, crabs were only enjoyed along the coasts of the U.S. and some parts of Canada. While states along the east coast had many crabs, the seafood wasn’t as popular as it is today as people found the meat too hard to access. The pinchers of the crabs were dangerous, and the front claws pierced the skin from the fishermen who found crabs in their traps. Once they learned how to handle and outsmart the crabs, they were much more accessible, especially blue crabs.
The Term “Crab Cake”
Blue crabs were abundant in the Chesapeake Bay and soon became a staple food in the Maryland region. As blue crabs continued to grow in popularity and were made in various recipes, the crab cake was born. The term “crab cake” was first used in the 1930 cookbook called New York World’s Fair Cook Book by Crosby Gaige. While this was the first reference for the term, it is believed that southern states had already been making crab cakes for a few years.
Today’s Crab Cake
Today, many people have their favorite crab cake restaurants they frequently visit or have family recipes passed down for generations. The recipe for most Maryland crab cakes remains similar, as fresh lump crab meat is the most important ingredient, followed by Old Bay. Over time, we have found ways to ship frozen crab cakes all over the country that keep their delicious, fresh taste. At Box Hill, we make shipping as simple as possible and pack all orders with dry ice to keep the crab cakes cold and preserve quality and freshness.
It’s Always the Right Time for Box Hill
We are located in Abingdon, Maryland, and our crab cakes are available year-round! If you ever have any questions or comments about Box Hill or our Maryland crab cakes, use our contact form here.
Box Hill Crab Cakes is your source for the freshest, most authentic Maryland crab cakes—and we’ll ship them to your door! Our top-secret family recipe has been fine-tuned for decades, and we guarantee you will love them. Visit us online to place your order or give us a call at 410-515-3662. Want to get recipe ideas, updates, and information on sales? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Trip Advisor, YouTube, and Twitter.
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