Have you ever heard of troll crab? It’s a unique treat that’s getting more and more popular. But what does it taste like? I’m going to tell you all about this strange crustacean’s flavors. For years now I’ve been studying and researching different ingredients from around the world, including troll crab. And with this article, I want to share my knowledge with you!.
We’ll learn everything there is to know about the delicious troll crab, from where it comes from to its unique flavors. We’ll talk about which dishes are best for different events and how small changes in how they are made can have a big effect on the taste. Before you try a dish made with troll crab, you should know enough about its unique flavors from this article that it won’t be too scary! So let’s get started on discovering the flavors that come with each bite!
The troll crab is a fascinating crustacean that inhabits the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. With its large size, spiny shell, and powerful claws, the troll crab has a formidable appearance that belies its sweet, delicate meat. But what exactly is a troll crab? Let’s take a deep dive into everything you need to know about this unique sea creature.
What is a Troll Crab?
A troll crab, also known as a Norway king crab or Norwegian king crab, is a type of cold water crab belonging to the Lithodidae family. Its scientific name is Lithodes maja. Troll crabs are a species of king crab, distinguished by their reddish-brown shells, comma-shaped eyes, and bodies covered in long, sharp spines.
These large crabs can measure up to 16 inches across and weigh up to 7 pounds Their common name comes from Norwegian folklore, in which trolls were envisioned as large, ugly creatures The troll crab’s spiny, oversized appearance evokes these mythical beasts.
Where Do Troll Crabs Live?
Troll crabs are found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Their range stretches along the cold water coasts of Norway the Faroe Islands, Iceland Greenland, Russia, Alaska, and Canada.
These crabs thrive in deep offshore waters, inhabiting rocky ocean floors at depths of 650 to 6500 feet. Here the waters are consistently cold, with temperatures hovering around 34-39°F. Troll crabs have adapted to survive in this extreme environment.
What Do Troll Crabs Eat?
Troll crabs are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on whatever food sources they can find. Their diverse diet includes algae, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, and even fish carcasses that settle on the seafloor.
To eat, troll crabs use their strong claws to pick and pry pieces of food from the rocks and sediment. Their crab-like mouthparts then grind the food into bite-sized chunks for swallowing.
Interestingly, troll crabs will also feed opportunistically on bait set out on commercial fishing lines. Their scavenging nature leads them straight to these underwater buffets!
What’s the Life Cycle of the Troll Crab?
Troll crabs mate between July and October. Soon after, the female carries the fertilized eggs externally under her abdomen until they hatch. This gestation period lasts about a year.
The larvae that emerge are tiny planktonic creatures. They drift with the ocean currents for up to 3-5 months, developing through several zoeal stages. After their final molt, the larvae settle to the seafloor as juvenile crabs.
At 2 to 4 years old, troll crabs reach sexual maturity. Their lifespan is estimaged at up to 15 years in the wild. Throughout their life, troll crabs must periodically shed their exoskeleton in order to grow larger – a process known as molting. To do this, they actually back out of their old shell through a split near the rear!
What’s Unique About the Troll Crab?
Troll crabs exhibit several distinctive traits that set them apart from other king crab species:
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Color – Their rusty reddish-brown shells are deeper and brighter than other king crabs. The color comes from pigments acquired through their diet.
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Spines – Long, sharp spines completely cover their bodies and claws. These act as armor against predators.
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Eyes – Their eyes are comma-shaped, with a deep cleft along the bottom edge. This gives them a wider range of peripheral vision.
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Rostrum – A Y-shaped projection sits between the eyes, unlike the single spike of other king crabs.
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Meat – The meat has a slightly tangy, lobster-like flavor. It’s leaner in texture than other buttery king crab meats.
Is Troll Crab Good to Eat?
Troll crab is indeed edible, though it was not commercially fished until the late 20th century. Its sweet, briny flavor and firm texture make it a seafood delicacy. The meat is extracted from the legs, claws, and body cavity.
Connoisseurs describe the taste as mildly sweet with notes of lobster or crab sticks. While not as rich-flavored as king crab, troll crab has a pleasantly earthy tang. Its lean composition gives it a pleasantly firm, flaky texture.
When preparing troll crab at home, take care to cook it thoroughly to kill any bacteria. And as with any shellfish, exercise caution if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions.
How Did Troll Crabs Get to Norway?
Troll crabs are native to the northern Pacific. So how did they end up inhabiting the waters off Norway’s coast? The history here involves some international relations between Russia and Norway.
In the 1960s, Russian scientists introduced troll crabs to Norway’s Barents Sea. At the height of the Cold War, this move aimed to foster economic ties through joint commercial fishing efforts. The hardy troll crabs flourished in their new Atlantic waters, multiplying rapidly.
By the 1970s, Norwegian fishermen were hauling up troll crabs in abundance. Though not initially welcomed, troll crab fishing has since become an important industry in Norway.
With its hulking body armor, powerful claws, and sweet meat, the troll crab is truly a unique sea creature. These cold water-dwelling crabs inhabit an extreme environment, surviving at great depths across northern oceans. Their tastes and traits differ from other king crab species, making them a special culinary treat. With this overview, you now know all about the curious troll crab and its fascinating natural history.
what does troll crab taste like?
Troll crab has a mild, sweet flavor with a hint of brininess. The meat is tender and succulent with a firm texture that makes it ideal for steaming, boiling or baking. Its delicate flavor pairs well with light sauces and seasoning like lemon juice, butter and herbs.
Crab Varieties: Understanding the Unique Qualities of Troll Crab
What comes to mind when you think of crabs? Maybe the well-known species, like blue crabs scurrying along sandy beaches or king crabs strutting their stuff in cold Alaskan waters. But how many of us have heard of Troll Crabs? They live in the deep water areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and are a fascinating and unique part of the marine life that lives there.
What sets Troll Crabs apart? First off, their appearance is distinctively peculiar. These animals have strong bodies and claws that are too big for their bodies, making them perfect for breaking down hard-shelled prey. Their outer shell, or carapace, has a rough texture with tubercles, which are small bumps that give them a rough, “troll-like” look that gives them their name. In comparison to other crab species:
- Not only are their carapaces wider, but they are also flatter.
- The first set of their walking legs looks more like big pinchers than legs.
- Instead of the blue or brown that most varieties have, they are often a reddish-orange color.
These crustaceans are nocturnal animals that like living in cold deep seas more than 200 meters below sea level, where sunlight barely gets through. When divers come across them, they are very shy and shuffle away into cracks instead of acting aggressively like some other crab species do. Strangely enough, this interesting creature is hard to find because its habitat is deep and dark, but that doesn’t stop fans from enjoying its unique appeal!
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FAQ
Are troll crabs good to eat?
What is the difference between a true crab and a false crab?
What is the difference between Alaska king crab and king crab?
Is Troll crab the next big thing?
Hansen thinks he can make troll crab the next big thing by cutting out the middleman and selling to restaurants directly. The troll crab is more well known by other names. The Marine Life Information Network refers to it as the northern stone crab, and Sea Life Base refers to it as the Norway king crab.
What is a troll crab?
Keep reading to enjoy the most tasty “crabby” bites mindfully next time. What’s Troll Crab and Why is it Called So? Troll crab, also known as the Norwegian stone crab or Atlantic red king crab, is an edible, mild and sweet tasting, large decapod crustacean. The name, “troll crab” comes from its huge size and scary look.
What does a troll crab look like?
Troll crabs are large, decapod crustaceans with a robust body and broad carapace (shell) that covers the cephalothorax. They have a distinctive reddish-brown or orange color, with a lighter underside. Their carapace can reach up to 200 mm in width and weigh close to 2 kilos. They have a large, sharp spear between their eyes and two powerful claws.
How do troll crabs differ from other king crabs?
Troll crabs differ from other king crab species in several ways. They have a unique reddish-brown color and strong claws for protection and catching prey. They also have a y-shaped spear between their eyes, unlike the snow crab which has a powerful spike. Additionally, their meat is leaner and drier than that of other king crabs.