Difference between the red king crab and blue king crab
Although it sounds easy, red king crabs and blue king crabs really look similiar and it is difficult to tell them apart. Below are the differences between the red king crab and the blue king crab.
The value of red king crab and blue king crab is different(although depending on the season, superiority may differ) so it is important to know the difference between a red king crab and a blue king crab.
Because the color of the king crabs varies depending on their habitat, it is almost impossible to tell apart blue king crab and red king crab just by its color.
Also when cooked, it is almost impossible to tell the difference of the king crabs by their color becuase all crabs turn red when they ar cooked.
Difference between the red king crab and blue king crab 1) Number of spikes on the middle shell
Blue king crabs and red king crabs have pentagon or hexagon or diamond shaped shell part in the middle of its back.
Red king crabs have six spikes in this particular region while blue king crabs have four spikes in this region. However interestingly, some individual king crabs may have different number of spikes.
Difference between the red king crab and blue king crab 2) Color of the shell
The color of the blue king crabs and red king crabs may vary depending on their environment. The below descriptions are more of a general difference but there are some blue king crabs that have the color of the red king crab while some red king crab have the color of a blue king crab.
Blue king crabs are more greyish and blue color and this color is most notable on the claws. Red king crabs have a more brownish burgundy colored shell.
Difference between the red king crab and blue king crab 3) Hardness of the shell
Hardness of the shell may differ per each individual king crab, however red king crab tend to have a less hard shell so a person could press into a red king crab shell. However the blue king crab shells are usually so hard that a person cannot press into a blue king crab shell.
The differences between golden king crabs with blue king crab and red king crab
The golden king crabs have a distinctive brown and golden color that makes it easier to tell apart from the other king crabs. Also, the golden king crab doesn’t have a distinctive pentagon/hexagon or diamond shaped shell region in the middle of the shell.
The number of the spikes in this region also varies and there might be up to 10 spikes in this region. The body of the golden king crab is also a much rounder shape compared with the blue king crab and the red king crab.
Taste differences between the king crabs
All three king crabs golden king crab, red king crab and the blue king crab have great flavor. The hanasaki king crab is also very tasty. Thus, the quality of each individual king crab is much more important for selection.
However, relatively the meat yield and the flavor is the highest in the red king crab compared with the other king crab species.
It is difficult to rank the taste of the king crabs when they are freshly caught and cooked, especially when they are boiled or steamed in the same conditions.
However the difference in flavor and taste between the king crabs is notable when the king crabs are used as ingredients for dishes.
Intestines of King Crabs – King Crab Butter
The intestines of the king crabs are a great delicacy also known as the king crab butter. The intestines of the king crabs are mostly the hepatopancreas that make the creamy and rich buttery flavor of the king crab butter.
The color of the king crab intestines vary from yellow, green and black, however with a high possibility, the intestines of the king crabs have a yellow color.
In South Korea, the yellow colored intestines for snow crabs and king crabs are considered the best tasting intestines.
The color of the intestines vary by the feeding habits of the king crab. However, the king crab intestines tend to be much more watery than the snow crabs, thus draining the king crab blood and the fluids of the king crab is very important to retain the flavor of the king crab intestines.
