A Guide to Maryland Blue Crab Feasts | Cameron's Seafood (2024)

Q: What is a “Maryland crab feast”? A: Crab feasts are a time honored tradition during which friends and family gather around a large picnic-style table to eat Maryland blue crabs. Blue crabs take time to pick and eat so it becomes a very social activity.Typically held in the summer, crab feasts are best enjoyed with a cold beer in hand. Q: When is Maryland Blue Crab season? A: The Maryland Blue Crab season typically starts in mid April and runs all the way through December. Q: What is the difference between male and female crabs? A: Male crabs are generally larger & meatier than females. Females have sweeter meat and may contain egg-roe. They are differentiated by the shape of their apron (the flap on their stomach) : the male’s is long and pointy and the female’s is dome shaped. Q: What’s so special about Maryland Crabs? A: To survive winter, Chesapeake Bay crabs have to build up extra fat stores which gives them that sweet, buttery flavor you won’t find in other types of crabs or in blue crabs shipped from other waters. Q: When is the best time for crabs? A: While June through August are the most favored times for eating crabs, September-November is typically the best time to get the largest and fattest hard crabs at the best prices. Q: How are the crabs prepared? A: Marylanders prepare hard shells and other seafood by steaming them, rather than boiling which is common along the rest of the East Coast. The crabs are traditionally seasoned with either Old Bay or JO Spice.