A good crab is a full one. Two crabs of the same size can differ a lot in meat and roe. Experienced sellers check by hand before weighing, and buyers can do the same.
It feels heavy for its size
A full crab feels heavier than it looks. A freshly moulted or hollow crab feels light, with a watery body and little meat.
Press the apron and shell
- Apron and shell are hard and do not give: a full crab.
- Apron is soft, gives or feels watery: a hollow crab, best avoided.
- Roe crab: the female’s apron is broad, and orange roe often shows through the gaps at the back of the shell.
Check the crab is lively
A healthy crab has alert eyes, moves its legs and claws when touched, and has all its legs firmly attached. A weak crab with limp legs and unresponsive eyes keeps for less time after purchase.
When buying wholesale
For wholesale, picking crab by crab is replaced by a specification: grams per crab, share of roe or meat crab, acceptable losses and how weight is measured. State these when asking for a price so you receive what you expect.
