Snow crab is beloved for its extraordinarily long, easy-to-crack legs. Although harvested in icy waters off the coast of Alaska, snow crab gets its name from its flavorful meat, which turns to a snowy white when cooked. With a delicate texture, sweet taste, and leg shells that can be easily cracked open with just your hands, it is easy to see why Alaska snow crab has so many fans! The market name “Snow Crab” actually refers to a few different subspecies, including Bairdi (Tanner) and Opilio.
Opilio Crab
Snow crab is a market name for two major species. The first is the Opilio crab, typically the smaller of the two snow crab species. It has sweet, tender, white meat that is a crowd favorite. Opilio is the most widespread of the marketable snow crab species, and because of this abundance, we frequently have Opilio products in stock, such as snow crab meat, snow crab claws, and snow crab clusters. This makes it relatively easier to source compared to some other crab species, which may be rarer or more localized. Overall landings in Canada are still high; however, starting in 2022, Alaska shut down their Opilio season due to concerns over population numbers.
Bairdi / Tanner Crab
The other type of snow crab is Bairdi crab. Bairdi, also known as Tanner crab, tends to be larger and stuffed with more delicious meat than its Opilio counterpart. Its meat is sweeter than that of Opilio, something our team here at Maine Lobster Now happily blind-tested on several occasions. When captains in Alaska look for crab to enjoy themselves, they choose Bairdi. Those in the know love Bairdi!
Alaska has shut down both its Red King Crab Fishery and its Opilio Fishery. However, they have kept the Tanner fishery open. Over this winter, they allowed 2 million pounds of Tanner crabs to be caught and sold commercially. We were fortunate to acquire the largest size of domestically caught Bairdi and offer it to you! This crab is a real treat and available in very limited quantities, so hurry now and order your Alaskan snow crab legs today!
In general, either type of snow crab is a fantastic choice for crab lovers. Snow crab's high meat-to-shell ratio means that when you crack open an Opilio crab, you can expect a satisfying amount of meat, making it a great value for the price. Snow crab is also versatile in terms of culinary applications. Its meat can be used in a wide range of dishes, including crab cakes, crab salads, soups, and stir-fries. Its sweet flavor and firm texture make it a fitting ingredient for various recipes.
In summary, while Opilio crab and Bairdi snow crab may look similar at first glance, there are several key differences between the two species. Here at Maine Lobster Now, we pride ourselves on delivering the best quality product to our customers. Let’s face it—crab is expensive. We put great effort into ensuring your money gets you the best possible product on the market!
