Blue crab

The blue crab or Callinectes sapidus is a member of the crustacean family Portunidae. The carapax or body of the blue crab does not exceed, as a rule, 20 cm in width and 10 cm in length. It is worth noting that blue crab males are much larger than females. The blue crab got its original name thanks to its outstanding bright colors. However, the body of a crab can be not only blue, but also gray, as well as dark cinnamon.

Notably, the blue crab has five pairs of limbs, with two being pincers. The main feature of the blue crab can be considered the ability of the crustacean to discard its claws in case of danger. The average life cycle of a blue crab is 4 years. Researchers believe that the coast of South and North America can be considered the birthplace of the blue crab.

In Europe, the blue crab appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century. Currently, blue crab can be found in the waters of the North, as well as the Baltic Seas. In addition, occasionally blue crab is found in the waters of the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. The blue crab selects shallow estuaries for habitat. In winter, the blue crab descends to a depth of at least 36 meters.

According to the scientific classification, the blue crab refers to omnivores that, by the way, compete with other species of crustaceans for food. The main enemies of blue crabs in wildlife are seagulls, red crotch fish, as well as crocker, sea turtles and herons. In cooking, they use valuable blue crab meat, which differs in its vitamin-mineral composition.

Blue crab contains vitamins A, B in its chemical composition, as well as C. In addition, blue crab is enriched with such certainly useful compounds for the human body as potassium, zinc, selenium, manganese, sodium, iron and others. It is especially worth noting that the calorie level of blue crab, which is at a relatively low level and is only 87 Kcal, which fall on 100 grams of crustacean meat.

Blue crab meat is excreted in a large content of easily digestible protein, which in turn contains a significant amount of amino acids indispensable for the human body. Blue crab meat, however, like other types of crustaceans, is used in the preparation of a wide range of culinary products.

Due to its distinctive taste and nutritional properties, blue crab meat is considered a delicatessen product. In our latitudes, you can find pre-boiled and then frozen blue crab meat on sale. In addition, blue crab meat is preserved and marinated.