Imitation Crab, does it hold up to the real crab

Imitation snow crab salad on a toast / Lumekrabisalat röstsaial
by Pille @ flickr

What is imitation crab? Why was it created? What is it made of? We will provide you in this article with all the information you need to know about imitation crab.

What Is Imitation Crab, and does it taste like real crab?

The Japanese introduced imitation crab in the 1970s as a less expensive alternative to regular crab. Imitation crab also referred to as “fake crab meat,” is made from seafood paste known as Surimi. It can include other ingredients such as starch, fillers, artificial flavors, and food colorings.

Imitation crab gained popularity because it is a cost-effective and versatile alternative to original crab. It is processed seafood that tastes and looks like the original one but with a lower cost and few differences.

Few years after its introduction in Japan, it made its way overseas and became very popular in American restaurants and groceries. It is used widely in sushi, food sandwiches, salads, and more.