For a home cook buying a whole, fresh Dungeness crab, what is a good indicator of quality?
Answer
A heavier crab for its size usually means more meat inside.
When selecting a whole, fresh crab, regardless of species but particularly for Dungeness where body meat is prized, weight is a critical physical indicator of internal quality. A crab that feels heavy in proportion to its overall size strongly suggests that it has a higher meat content and has not lost internal moisture. Conversely, a light crab of the same dimensions likely has less meat or may have dried out. To ensure the best flavor, the goal for any fresh crab is to minimize the time between harvest and consumption, aiming for rigidity if purchased alive, and a pure scent of the sea if cooked.
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