The Origin of Soft-Shell Crabs

Abstract

Soft-shell crabs are famous in seafood restaurants because they have a wonderful flavor, are easy to eat, and are highly nutritious! Soft-shell crabs are any regular edible crabs, but in their natural, soft-shell condition—because they have just shed their old shells, in an event called molting. Within a few hours after molting, while they are still in their soft-shell condition, these crabs are harvested and sold as soft-shell crabs. Crabs in the soft-shell condition have higher market value than crabs in the hard-shell condition. By understanding the origin of soft-shell crabs, we can improve the production of these crabs, as well as try to find ethical and sustainable ways to obtain them.