Learn about the differences between the four most popular crabs.
Did you know that there are over 4,500 species of crab in the world? Different types of crabs live in the ocean, freshwater bays, and a few that stay on land. Out of these thousands of species, only a handful make it to our dinner table, including Dungeness Crabs, Snow Crabs, King Crabs, and Maryland’s favorite Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs. Read on to learn about these four popular types of crab and what makes each one different!
Dungeness
Dungeness crabs are named after a small fishing village in Dungeness, Washington. They are found in Pacific waters, ranging from Alaska to California. They can grow as much as 10+ inches across and weigh up to 2 pounds, and you can spot a Dungeness crab by looking for its fan-shaped sizeable shell. The crab is a West Coast delicacy, as it has very sweet and tender meat, and is enjoyed during the peak season of November to late June.
Snow Crabs
Snow crabs are also found in the cold waters from the Pacific North West and North West Atlantic, Alaska to Siberia, and Greenland to Newfoundland. Crab season typically begins when the ice breaks (any time from mid-April to early November.) Snow crabs are easy to identify, as they have very small, round bodies and are mostly all-leg. They tend to weigh 2 to 4 pounds, and males are usually double the size of the females. Snow crabs are often sold in clusters, and their meat is very hearty with a hint of salt and pair well with melted butter.
King Crabs
King crabs are very popular in Alaska and are even the most commercially important shellfish species in the state. The crab is not only a way of life for many crabbers, but they also provide a very valuable revenue stream for the whole state. King crabs are actually divided into three different types of crabs- red, blue, and brown. As you may expect, King crabs are named ‘king’ for a good reason- they are huge! The average weight is between 6-8 pounds (but some can weigh as much as 20 pounds), and their bodies are an average of 11 inches with an almost 5-foot-long leg span. King crab legs are very popular, and the meat is mild in flavor with a nice sweetness.
Blue Crabs
Everyone in Maryland knows this type of crab very well, as the famous Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab is the most coveted crab in the area. They can grow up to 10 inches, but the smallest size that can legally be caught is 4.5 inches. At Box Hill, our world-famous crab cakes are packed full of their delicious meat from the freshest crabs we can find!
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, Trip Advisor, YouTube, and Twitter.
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