Crabs are one of the most popular items in seafood restaurants. There are many varieties of crab, each with distinct flavors and cooking options. Crabs are a thriving and in demand species, making them lucrative income resources for restaurateurs and crab wholesalers alike.

It's important to understand the basics of crabs in order to grow and sell healthy crabs as crab dealers or crab farmers, and to buy the best crabs for restaurants. Whether you run crabs fisheries, restaurants, or are a crab farmer, make sure your crabs education and training includes:

1. Deciphering the differences between types of crabs.

2. Understanding the basics of crab aquaculture.

3. Learning how to inspect and verify quality of crabs for sale.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the different types of crabs and the regulations that govern them in commercial fishing

There are many different kinds of crabs, and it's important to understand their values if you plan to offer king crab legs for sale or Maryland blue crabs for sale. If you operate a commercial fishing operation, then it is imperative that you understand the rules and regulations for each species of crab.

I recommend: Learn how different species of crab are valued by crab fisheries depending on where they're harvested with the guide from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Crab dealers should be acquainted with the daily catch limit as determined by the Fisheries and Oceans Department of Canada.

Get trained to fully understand crab aquaculture and what keeps crabs healthy

Crabs as a species are vibrant and fascinating animals. They are vital parts of the freshwater aquaculture to which they belong, and they also sustain local economies for crabs farmers, fishermen, and restaurant owners. Learn about crabs so that you are always buying and selling healthy crabs.

I recommend: AQUATT offers training and education programs to crab fisheries owners to learn about crab farming and dealing. Learn about the essential fish habitat for crabs with guidelines that must be met by crab farmers and crab fisheries with the guide from NOAA.

Get an education in how to run a successful and safe crab fishery

Crabs dealers deal with crab fisheries that supply them with consistently large and healthy crabs. It's important to learn the basic business principles of farming and selling quality, marketable wholesale crab. Learn the steps to running a lucrative crab fishery while complying with state and federal fishery regulations.

I recommend: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife details how to run successful and profitable commercial crab fishery. Read about the Dungeness crab fishery survey and study conducted by the University of California. Download its results to learn about crab fisheries for this popular species.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn about diseases or aquaculture threats occurring in the geographic area where you work with or buy crabs so that you can stay prepared for shortages and health issues.

Crabs aquaculture, or the commercial breeding, harvesting and selling of crabs, can be a profitable business venture. Seafood restaurants and private individuals will come to you to buy crabs if you have a good selection of quality crabs for sale.

When you are purchasing the crabs to sell to your customers, keep in mind that you should try to have crabs to please any customer available. Consider these suggestions when you are ordering crabs:

1. Appeal to customers who want to cook their own crabs by offering live crabs.

2. Accommodate customers who want to eat crabs that someone else cooks.

3. Offer king crab legs for sale for customers who want to eat the sweet part of the crab.

4. Sell crab meat for customers who need crabs for recipes such as crab cakes.

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Sell live crabs

Customers can cook live crabs in any way they want. This makes live crabs a good choice for almost anyone. Different types of crabs are caught during different seasons. Selling different types of live crabs will ensure that you always have some type of fresh live crabs available. If you supply live crabs for restaurants, make sure you always have an ample amount in stock.

I recommend: Maryland Blue Crab Express sells live crabs. This company has Maryland blue crabs for sale among other hard shelled and soft shelled crabs. They apply discounts to large orders. Great Alaska Seafood offers live crabs straight from the ocean. These crabs are wild caught instead of farmed in crabs' fisheries.

Offer steamed crabs

Steamed crabs are a good option for people who want to enjoy crab without having to cook it. In most cases, steamed crab is frozen so all the customer has to do is reheat it. Making sure that you purchase steamed crabs from reputable crab dealers is essential so you can guarantee the quality of the steamed crabs you sell.

I recommend: Tar Bay Seafood has steamed crabs for sale. This company sells the crabs by the bushel or by the dozen. The crabs are at wholesale prices. CrabPlace.com has Maryland crabs for sale. They sell crabs by the half bushel or bushel. Seasoning and crab mallets are included in every order.

Have king crab legs for sale

King crab legs are a popular appetizer choice. Many restaurants serve crab legs as part of a buffet. Offering king crab legs and claws to your customers will help you appeal to people who want to enjoy crab meat without having to shell whole crabs. Most king crab legs are cooked.

I recommend: Linton's Seafood has snow crab and king crab legs for sale. It offers whole crab legs, crab claws and crab leg pieces. This company offers discounts for large orders. Ed's Kasilof Seafoods has various types of crab claws. This company offers wholesale prices and discounts on shipping for large orders.

Set a fair price for crab meat

Crab cakes and some other crab recipes call for crab meat. There are a few different types of crab meat. Lump crab meat is the best because meat is taken from whole crabs and is priced higher than other types, including crab claw meat. Setting a fair price for crab meat allows you to meet the needs of almost anyone who wants to enjoy a crab dish.

I recommend: Cajun Grocer sells wholesale crab claw meat. It is in one-pound packages. Unlike other crab wholesalers who only sell in large quantities, this company offers a wholesale price for crab meat, regardless of the size of the order. Chesapeake Crab Connection offers different types of crab meat, including claw only meat and lump crab meat. This company only sells domestic crabs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider selling crab mallets and crab seasonings for customers who purchase live crabs from you.

There are over 4,400 varieties of crabs, many of which are grown for human consumption. Crabmeat is a great source of selenium and chromium, which help prevent cancer and elevate the "good" cholesterol levels. If you are planning on eating crabmeat, it is important to know which parts are not only edible but can also provide a health benefit. Crabmeat is solid protein and is around 50 calories for a half-cup serving. The following is a summary of important terms relating to crabmeat.

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Hard-shell crabs

Hard-shell crabs that are male are referred to as 'Jimmies' and are usually more meaty and larger than females. Female hard-shell crabs are 'Sooks' and are usually for use as pasteurized meat.

I recommend: Blue Crab Info has information about hard-shell crabs, along with health benefits, uses and anatomy.

Soft-shell crab

A soft-shell crab is one whose shell has been shed. This type of crab is considered a great eating crab because it can be consumed in its entirety, soft shell and all.

I recommend: When considering using soft-shell crabs for food, visit Serious Eats New York. This is a complete reference source for all things related to soft-shell crabs, including types, buying tip and recipes.

Crab boil

A crab boil refers to cooking crabs in boiling water that is seasoned. The seasonings are usually prepackaged and are a mixture of spices and herbs. The blend is usually made of peppercorns, bay leaves, cloves and mustard seeds but can have a variety of other items.

I recommend: Visit the Wise GEEK to learn more about crab boils.

Lump crabmeat

Jumbo lump or lump crabmeat is obtained from the large muscles that the crab uses to help swim. This type of meat is in dishes such as crab cakes and crab imperial.

I recommend: The Nibble offers excellent information on jumbo lump crabmeat and other grades of edible crabmeat.

Back fin

Back-fin crabmeat is the grade of meat that is preferred for most types of crab dishes. This type is also known as lump, back fin or a combination of each term - back-fin lump - because it contains a large amount of white crabmeat. It is in gazpacho, crab benedict and other types of pasta dishes.

I recommend: Phillips Foods has additional information on the types and grades of crabmeat.

Stone crabs

Stone crabs are a great source of low-fat protein, selenium and magnesium. The claws make up half the weight of the whole crab and are an excellent food source. A 3-ounce serving is around 110 calories and is just 1.2 grams of fat. Stone crabs have many detoxifying substances and antioxidants.

I recommend: The National Marine Fisheries Service has an extensive amount of information concerning a stone crab's life, habitat, sustainability and other marine data.

Crab is often thought of as an expensive addition to the menu. This, however, does not have to be the case. There are many crabs types and styles that make adding crab to the menu an affordable and tasty option. With the option to buy wholesale crab of many varieties, you can even add numerous crab dishes without having to break the bank.

Crab is a premier type of seafood and can really set your establishment apart from the competition. Investigate these crabs types and styles and decide how you can incorporate them into your menu.

1. A tasty way to serve crabs in restaurants is to serve king crab legs as a meal.

2. Lump crab meat is a versatile type of crab that can be used in the kitchen.

3. Maryland crab can be purchased from crabs fisheries to spice up your menu.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer king crab legs for sale as a delicacy

King crab legs are known for their juicy, sweet crab meet that comes from both the legs and the claws. King crab legs can be a meal by themselves and are served by the pound. When buying fresh king crabs from crab wholesalers, you will receive the whole crab. You can serve the legs as a main dish and use the crab meat from the rest of the crab to add crab to other dishes.

I recommend: FishEx gives good details on buying, cooking, and serving king crab. LobsterGram provides the nutritional information for king crab and other crab varieties.

Purchase lump crab meat from crab farmers for crab cakes

Lump crab meat is the type of crab that is most commonly used for crab cakes and crab-stuffed items. Lump crab meat is made from the most muscular part of the crab and is usually flaked to be added to dishes. Lump meat from crabs for restaurants is a very versatile ingredient and can also be used for salads, soups, and casseroles. It is also an economical way to get a good price for crab to add to your menu.

I recommend: The Nibble discusses the many grades of lump crab meat and the best uses. Allen Brothers explains why lump crab meat is more beneficial in many recipes than imitation crab meat.

Contract with crab growers to get good quality Maryland blue crabs for sale

Maryland blue crabs are straight from the Chesapeake Bay and are not meant to be eaten elegantly. Maryland crabs are 'picked' and eaten with sleeves rolled up and newspaper on the table. Although the process is slightly messy, the enjoyment and tasty crab meat would make Maryland blue crabs a great addition to any menu.

I recommend: The Maryland Blue Crab details the Maryland crab picking ritual. Cantler's Riverside Inn answers some commonly asked questions about blue crabs and other wholesale crab varieties.