Fresh vs Pasteurised: The Truth About Crabmeat
3–4 minute read
When shopping for crabmeat online, you’ll often see terms like “pasteurised,” “fresh,” or even “freshly frozen.” But what do these labels actually mean — and does it really make a difference to quality, flavour, and texture?
At Hamiltons Fish, we believe it does. That’s why we only sell 100% fresh British crabmeat, handpicked in-house from live crabs landed on the South West coast. Here's what sets it apart.
What is Pasteurised Crabmeat?
Pasteurised crabmeat is crab that’s been cooked, sealed, and heat-treated to extend its shelf life. It’s typically packed into jars or tins, stored chilled, and may last several weeks — or even months — before being opened.
While convenient for supermarkets or foodservice, the process can dull the flavour and change the texture. Pasteurised crab often lacks the sweetness and delicate mouthfeel of truly fresh meat.
Why Fresh Crabmeat is Superior
Fresh crabmeat is exactly what it sounds like — never frozen, never pasteurised, and never stored for weeks on end. At Hamiltons, we take live crabs straight from the quayside, cook them the same day, and handpick every one ourselves. The meat is then packed into neat pots or returned to the shell for our dressed crab.
The result is vibrant, sweet, and full of natural flavour — a world apart from anything pasteurised or processed.
Common Online Practices: What to Watch For
Many online seafood retailers use vague or confusing language. You might come across:
- “Freshly frozen” – sounds better than “frozen,” but still means the product has been frozen.
- “Chilled pasteurised” – often implies freshness, but could have been sitting in cold storage for weeks.
- “Sent fresh or defrosted depending on availability” – meaning you may receive thawed fish with a much shorter shelf life.
We don’t do any of that. All our crabmeat is prepared fresh to order, clearly labelled, and delivered cold — never frozen, never pasteurised, and never substituted.
How We Prepare Our Crabmeat
- Live Arrival – Crabs are delivered to us alive and kicking from the local quayside.
- Cooked In-House – We cook every crab ourselves, with precision and care.
- Handpicked – No machines, just skilled hands separating white and brown meat.
- Packed Fresh – Into labelled pots or neatly dressed back into the shell.
This means better quality, better texture, and absolute confidence in what you’re eating.
What Our Customers Say
“Working within the industry as shellfish gear suppliers, we’re lucky enough at times to get some of the best shellfish available direct from the boats — so when I say this dressed crab was top quality, it has to be good.”
In Summary
- Pasteurised crabmeat may be convenient — but it’s often weeks old and lacking in quality.
- At Hamiltons Fish, every crab is cooked and handpicked fresh, then packed to order.
- No freezing. No pasteurising. Just outstanding flavour and freshness, the way it should be.
Want to experience the difference?
