However, they are still legal to harvest and are kept by fishermen targeting other species. Declining numbers have made the blue king a species that isn’t directly targeted by commercial fishermen. Only the most astute buyer will be able to tell one from the other on appearance alone and only the most seasoned crab-eaters would be able to taste a difference.īlue king crab is most commonly harvested in Alaskan waters near the Pribilof Islands and near St. In fact, many markets will often label blue king as red king on purpose or by mistake. The blue king crab’s meat tends to be milder than that of the red king’s, but they are generally very similar. Compared to the red king, the blue king has very large claws. The most noticeable feature of the blue king crab is the size of its claws. They grow to over 5ft+ in length and 20lbs+ in weight. Blue King Crabīlue king crab is the largest of the king crab species.

The population has been well-managed, making red king fairly abundant without concern of over-fishing. The common fisheries for red king crab are Alaska’s Bristol Bay and Norton Sound. Compared to other king crab varieties, red king crab meat tends to have a bit more flavor. When you envision a picture-perfect image of king crab being served at a five-star restaurant, you’re envisioning the red variety. The trademark feature of the meat is its stark white coloring with bright red edges. The red king’s meat is considered to be the best crab meat in the world by almost all commercial standards. When you hear someone extol the virtues of king crab, this is the standard they are referring to, whether or not they know it. Red king crab is the Cadillac of crab and it is easily the most sought-after species of crab in the world. Each species is commonly harvested in different areas within Alaskan waters. There are three main types of Alaskan king crab: red, blue, and golden. The differences are apparent in everything from look, taste, and the areas in which they are harvested. Many restaurants and seafood markets don’t distinguish between these subspecies. It’s somewhat of a surprise for many people to find out that there are actually several species of king crab. Each species contain multiple subspecies and there are some big differences between them. The most important part of the comparison is the distinction between the different species of snow crab and king crab alike. Realistically, there is much more information necessary to fully and accurately compare them. That is the quickest, most simple comparison you could possibly make between these two crabs. King crab meat is considered by most to be the superior choice. The king crab is a much larger species and is much more expensive for consumers while the snow crab is smaller and much more affordable.

King crab and snow crab are both excellent for eating, but they do have a few differences. 6 Conclusion Snow Crab vs King Crab – The Short Answer

Blue crab vs snow crab