Why Is Maryland Crab So Good?

There's nothing quite like cracking into a fresh Maryland blue crab, loaded with Old Bay and fresh out of the steampot. But what exactly is it that makes these crabs so good?

The Chesapeake blue crab is the Maryland state crustacean, and millions of them are found in the Chesapeake Bay. Surprisingly, however, Louisiana is home to the world's largest blue crab fishery, and the vast majority of them are shipped to Maryland.

Blue crabs are so good in part because they're so versatile. They can be steamed and eaten as part of a crab boil, one of the most fun social eating experiences you can have, or they can be used in soup or a crab cake. They also lend themselves very well to a whole host of flavors, from Italian pasta dishes to Asian stir-fry, and a hit of the classic Old Bay seasoning, heavy on the celery salt and paprika, is also a perfect complement.