With Christmas just a week away, one of Louisiana’s favorite holiday questions is getting answered: will there be crawfish for Christmas?
According to Laney King, cofounder of the Crawfish App, the answer is yes but she says it comes with a reality check.
“There will absolutely be crawfish for Christmas,” King says. “But people need to manage their expectations.”
These early-season crawfish aren’t the big, juicy crustaceans many associate with peak spring boils.
“They’re smaller,” King explains. “They’re crawfish, just not the ones people are used to seeing later in the season.”
Some diners may notice a difference in flavor, though King says texture is the bigger hurdle.
“Taste can be up for interpretation,” she says. “But texture is really what people notice most. Early crawfish tend to be a little tougher.”
Then there’s the price.
“You’re going to need deep pockets if you want everyone to have a spot on the newspaper,” King says.
Still, for die-hard fans, the cost and smaller size may be worth it.
“At the end of the day,” King adds, “there will be crawfish for Christmas.”
For many Louisianians, that alone is reason to celebrate.