What is the difference between snow crab and king crab? Learn to tell them apart by the legs

King crab is also called stone crab, rock crab, Alaskan king crab, and so on, but king crab is not a true crab. Because of its large size and delicious flavor, it enjoys the title of “king of crabs.” When it comes to king crab, many friends assume it is the same type as snow crab, so what exactly are the differences between snow crab and king crab?

Differences between snow crab and king crab

To clearly understand the differences between the two, we first need to understand the definitions of snow crab and king crab, and only then can we make a detailed comparison. The editor has put together some key points here for everyone, so let's take a look:

1. Snow crab is also called gray-eyed snow crab. In the United States, many people call it tanner crab, while in Canada and Europe it is called queen crab. Snow crab is mainly produced in Alaska in the United States, and its meat is tender and tasty. Snow crab is basically caught in Alaska and the Bering Sea every year. The average annual output in the United States is as high as more than 50,000 tons, and in high-yield years it can even reach 100,000 tons.

2. The annual output of king crab in the United States is as high as 10,000 tons, and the best season to eat it is around October each year. King crab bought on the Chinese market is basically quick-frozen; there is no truly 100 percent fresh king crab, because the waters of China and even Asia do not produce king crab. It must be imported from overseas, preserved and refrigerated at ultra-low temperatures, and then air-freighted back to China.

3. What we more commonly see of king crab is the crab legs, which are served many times in buffet restaurants. In fact, most of these crab legs are snow crab legs, not real king crab legs. We already know how hard it is to buy king crab; truly supplying all king crab legs would cost a great deal.

Key differences:

1. King crab legs are thicker than snow crab legs and can be identified with the naked eye; they are about twice as thick as snow crab legs.

2. The spines on king crab legs are larger than those on snow crab legs, and more prominent and eye-catching. The body of the king crab also has spines.

3. Snow crab has eight legs, not counting the claws. Its body has few spines, is smooth and easy to handle, and its price is lower than that of king crab.

That is all for today's introduction to the differences between king crab and snow crab. No matter which type of crab it is, both have high nutritional value, so everyone can eat them with confidence. If you buy snow crab or king crab and do not know how to cook or handle it, you can go to a seafood processing shop to find a professional to solve the problem. Common ways to eat them include scrambled eggs with crab roe, making salad, steaming with minced garlic, and dipping sauce for crab legs, or you can also try making them yourself.