There are many reasons why you should have crab meat once in a while. One reason is that it is richer in protein compared to all the other meats we have regularly. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins which are very healthy for the body. The fat level is quite low. The iron in the meat helps keep bones healthy as well as strengthens the immune system.
If you are having this meat for the first time, you must be wondering what crab tastes like. In further sections, we have discussed the taste of crab meat and the different recipes that you can try your hand on.
Your Guide to What Crab Tastes Like
The Taste of Crab Meat
The taste of crab meat is a mixture of sweet and salty. The sweetness is very slight like an aftertaste of eating something sugary. Depending on what kind of crab meat you are eating, it can also taste a little like fish. The taste is very unique and cannot entirely be described in terms of other flavours. It is quite different from other seafood and the fresher the meat is the better it tastes.
People have described it as having the taste of the whole ocean in your mouth. It is very delicate and extremely delicious. Usually, people do not cook it with too many spices so that the natural taste of the crab meat is retained as it is too good to be overridden.
The Taste of Crab Legs
A favourite part of the crab to eat is the crab legs. The taste of crab legs is also one of a kind just like the rest of its meat. Although crab meat is not like chicken or steaks, crab legs can taste a little like chicken or like other seafood including lobster. It has a mild taste and do not taste fishy like crab meat does.
Crab legs is also one of the simplest dishes to make at home by yourselves. This means you do not need to go to an expensive hotel to enjoy this flavoursome dish.
For each leg, break them into two at the joints and slowly bend it until the meat slides out from the shell. Make sure you do not apply too much pressure on the shell as it might ruin the meat inside. In a large pot, boil water after mixing in a tablespoon of salt. Put the crab legs inside and let it boil for five minutes. In a separate pan, melt butter and add Old Bay seasoning. Pour this on the boiled crab lags along with a few drops of lemon and serve this delicious dish while still fresh.
You can also steam crab legs by fitting in a steamer basket over the boiling water. Next, place the legs in the basket and cover the pot and let the legs steam for five to seven minutes. Then, take it out and season it to your liking.
The Texture of Crab Meat
When you go out to shop for crab meat, there should be some things about the texture of crab meat that you should keep in mind. It is white meat which has a tinge of either brown or red in different places. If the meat is blue or grey anywhere, you should avoid buying it. It should be firm, not too squishy, and should not be dry. There should be some amount of moistness to it. If there are samples of cooked meat available, you should make sure the taste is fresh and has a slightly sweet taste. Usually, fresh crab meat can only remain edible for up to four to five days so make sure the dates are according to that. If there is an option between hand-picked and machine processed crab meat, go for hand-picked as it has way more flavour.
Wasabi Crab Cake
To know what crab tastes like, you can try some of its recipes. One of the most popular dishes is the Wasabi crab cake. You can try making this dish at your home by yourself.
Take a bowl and add a finely chopped red pepper, about a third cup of bread crumbs, two large egg whites, three tablespoons of mayonnaise, a fourth teaspoon of wasabi that you have already prepared before and finally, three finely chopped green onions. Mix all this well together and add in the crab meat, too.
In a separate bowl, add a cup of bread crumbs. Take a tablespoon of the mixture prepared and coat it well with the crumbs. Shape it into patty shapes and place them on a baking tray.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place the tray inside. Bake it for fifteen to twenty minutes until the patties have turned brown. These are your crab cakes which are now ready.
Crab Soup
You can also prepare crab soup. Take a pan and melt three tablespoons of unsalted butter in it. Add in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour in it and mix it until everything is blended well. After that, add a teaspoon of mustard, a tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning and other seasonings to taste. Also, add four cups of half & half and bring this whole mixture to a boil. When the soup has thickened, add the crabmeat and stir. You can add water to thin it out if you want. Ladle it out into bowls and serve it hot.
Conclusion
Crab is a luxurious dish which is exceptionally delicious and has a taste different from all other kind of meat. It is quite an expensive dish so you should have it when it is cooked to perfection. We have provided a guideline on what to look for when you go crab shopping and then, the popular recipes you can try once you have bought the meat.
The details provided will clear all your doubts about what crab taste likes and would make you want to try it at least once in your lifetime.
