CBC News mentions UMaine taste test in article on invasive green crabs
A taste test conducted at the University of Maine was mentioned in a CBC News report about how food scientists are exploring ways to turn the European green crab into a lucrative commercial industry. The invasive species can quickly devastate marine plants that provide food and habitat to other creatures, and also devour sea critters such as oysters, clams and mussels, according to the article. Joseph Galetti helped create an empanada — a Latin American fried, stuffed pastry — with green crab meat while he was a graduate student at UMaine, the article states. “It was sweet and salty and delicious,” said Galetti, who now works for High Liner Foods in New Hampshire. Galetti and UMaine food scientists Beth Calder and Denise Skonberg allowed 87 consumers to test the product. “The consumers thought it tasted pretty good,” Galetti said, citing the fact that 63 percent said they would “probably” or “definitely” buy the empanadas if they were available. “I think there’s a great opportunity to somehow process these crabs and deliver high-quality food products to consumers,” he said. “It’s just a matter of someone needs to take the next step. Be collaborative, be creative and make it happen.” UMaine also was mentioned in a Portland Press Herald article on the crabs as part of the “Green Plate Special” column.