Are Spider Crabs Edible?

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The Japanese spider crab might look very scary, but can you actually eat one? You may have even heard that they are poisonous.

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Are Spider Crabs Edible?

Yes, spider crabs are edible. In fact, they are enjoyed in many areas of Japan. Often they are caught off Japan’s main island, Honshu. A lot of Japanese natives love the sweet taste. So much so, they are served with minimal seasoning.

They also have lots of health benefits too. In this article we shall take a look at all things Japanese spider crabs!

What Actually Are Japanese Spider Crabs?

A large crustacean (also known in Japanese as takaashigani or long-legged crab), it has very long legs which makes it look like a giant spider. This can put some people off wanting to eat it.

To put it into perspective, from leg to leg a spider crab can measure close to 4 meters in length. Even with this long leg length they do not have a backbone, so are known as arthropods. 

They can live a very long time, often around 100 years. They are also in abundance. Every season they can lay over a million eggs at a time. 

They live within the Pacific Ocean which surrounds Japan. Despite their scary appearance, they are harmless to humans. In fact, they are often very gentle.

However, as humans we like to eat the meat of a Japanese spider crab. They are known as quite the delicacy due to their delicious and sweet taste.

What Are Other Edible Spider Crabs?

The Japanese spider crabs are not the only ones in existence. There are many other species of crabs from around the world. Here are some of them:

European Spider Crab

This spider crab has two other names: spiny spider crab or common spider crab. They are found along the coastlines that span the Atlantic Ocean.

There are some other variations of this kind of spider crab too. They can be found along North Africa, as well as the Mediterranean. 

Often people say this type of crab is very delicious to eat. It also has a very familiar look to it – the shorter legs and bigger body with lots of meat.

Common Spider Crab

Also known as the Portly spider crab, it can be found in Florida, all the way up to Nova Scotia. Spanning the length of the North American Atlantic coast, these crabs are scavengers.

For that reason, people often say they taste best depending on where they are from. However, a lot of people have also debated whether this type of crab should be eaten.

While not harmful to humans, the taste may not be the nicest out of all the crabs. This is because the taste of the meat comes from what they eat themselves.

What Is The Taste Of A Japanese Spider Crab?

Are Spider Crabs Edible?

The taste of a Japanese spider crab is very similar to regular crab. However, it is much sweeter and very much enjoyed by many.

The price of Japanese spider crab is high. It is the biggest known crab available to eat. All that is needed to season it is lemon and butter.

The overall taste is so wonderful that you do not need to heavily season it. 

Are There Health Benefits To Eating A Japanese Spider Crab?

There are many health benefits to eating a Japanese spider crab. Some of these include proteins, omega 3 fatty acids and minerals.

The white meat is highly nutritious and tasty. This means that if you do pay the high price to eat Japanese spider crab, you will reap some benefits too.

So, let’s take a look at them in more detail. 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The amount of omega 3 fatty acids within Japanese spider crabs is very high. This is similar to other fish. 

These healthy fatty acids are needed to help with brain development, fight inflammation, and improve the heart’s function.

They are also needed to help the brain develop properly. 

Protein

If you are wanting healthy hair, skin and muscles, then protein is what you need to eat. Fortunately, Japanese spider crabs have plenty of it.

The white meat has protein in abundance. And while you can get protein in many food sources, Japanese spider crab has low saturated fat compared to animal meat. 

This is much better for your heart. Increased saturated fat may cause heart issues in the future.

Minerals

There are a number of minerals within Japanese spider crab. These include copper, selenium, and phosphorus.

These minerals can help with collagen formation, energy, iron absorption, growth of cells, and looking after the immune system to keep it strong.

You need minerals in your diet to keep your body in tip-top shape. It is a good thing then that this giant spider crab has many minerals.

Vitamins

Japanese spider crabs contain riboflavin. This is also known as vitamin B12 which plays an important role in keeping the hair, eyes, skin, and so on healthy. 

Vitamin B12 is soluble, meaning it cannot be stored in the body. For this reason you will need to consume it every day.

Obviously you will not be eating Japanese spider crab every day. Fortunately, you can get vitamin B12 from a lot of food sources. Japanese spider crab is just one of those sources. 

Final Thoughts

The Japanese spider crab is the largest known crab that you can eat. It has very long legs, so it looks like a scary spider. Despite this, many people eat and enjoy the meat of a Japanese spider crab.

The taste of the meat is sweet and delicious. Many people pay the high price to eat Japanese spider crab due to it being a delicacy in Japan.

It also has some health benefits too, such as omega 3 fatty acids and lots of protein. So, when you next take a trip to Japan, take a look at the menu and try some Japanese spider crab.

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