🌊 How Soft Shell Crabs Happen – Nature’s Perfect Timing

Soft shell crabs aren’t a species — they’re a fleeting moment in a blue crab’s life. As crabs grow, they periodically shed their hard exoskeleton in a process called molting. For a short window, their new shell remains tender and pliable —

and that’s the soft shell sweet spot.

Watermen (crabbers) closely monitor these crabs during molting season, often keeping them in tanks and checking them hourly. The moment a crab sheds, the clock starts ticking. They must be pulled and chilled quickly — usually within hours — before the new shell hardens again.

Once harvested, they’re cleaned and prepped whole — shell, claws, and all — and ready to be cooked in a variety of delicious ways. At our kitchen, we lightly dust them, fry until golden crisp, and serve them hot. The flavor is rich, ocean-fresh, and the texture is one-of-a-kind — crispy outside, tender inside.

It’s seasonal, it’s sustainable, and it’s an East Coast delicacy that’s not to be missed!