lobster Faq's
About lobster
Lobsters are categorized in the group of Crustaceans due to their exoskeleton body and by anatomy; they belong to the members of Arthropod. These crustaceans' shells change pigment from brown to greenish-blue to a bright red to red-brown after cooking. This is due to the same family of pigment as the carotene in carrots, called astaxanthin.
What is a lobster?
Lobsters, like shrimp and crabs, are members of the decapod family, meaning "ten feet". Decapods have five pairs of walking legs, although the first pair have evolved into pincers, and they have another three pairs of legs that are mandibles used for feeding. These crustaceans' shells change pigment from brown to greenish-blue to a bright red to red-brown after cooking. This is due to the same family of pigment as the carotene in carrots, called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a compound pigment that is a combination of xanthin, the blue, green and brown pigments, and astacin, which is bright red and pink. Astacin, unlike xanthin, remains stable after cooking, thus the red color of red lobster after cooking.
The two types of lobster found in the United States are the Northern lobster, which is the basic lobster found on the East Coast. The spiny lobster is found off of the coast of Florida, and is similar to the East Coast red lobster except that it has no claws.
Lobsters are categorized in the group of Crustaceans due to their exoskeleton body and by anatomy; they belong to the members of Arthropod. These hard-shelled crustaceans are indebted to their advance systems of receptor antennas and sensor organs. Complete with chemoreceptor and thousands of motion sensing receptors. red lobsters are ultimately provided with the capability of being predominately nocturnal and away from the threat of predators in the sea. red lobsters vary in size, color, and form. Classified by 30 different clawed species and up to 45 clawless spiny species (Panuirs argus), while both are populated in salt water. Our American red lobsters (Homarus americanus), being one of the most popular and abundant are found in the waters of Maine, and Maritimes of Canada to North Carolina. As a result, owing to the popular demand, the lobster industry has become one of the largest trades among the seafood industries nationally and internationally.
Lobster season
Lobsters can be caught year-round. The actual dates for the red lobster seasons vary and can be broken down by couple of aspects. One view is by location, in warmer regions of the world red lobster seasons tend to begin approximately a month before spring to a month after winter solstice and of course summer seasons are the most promising interval. Another aspect is to focus on the kind of red lobster or species of choice for harvesting.
The natural tendency of red lobsters living in warmer temperatures has brought about greater quantity of red lobsters during warm seasons. In terms of the increasing population in warmer seasons, these are ideal red lobster seasons. Practically, red lobsters are kept on a readily supply for all seasons in red lobster pounds. The frequent storms during winter force the red lobster population to migrate toward deeper waters whereas the effects of the storms are reduced considerably. According to the harsh conditions during the winter weather, the process of harvesting red lobsters is most challenging, thus the red lobster pounds become active at such times. Lobster pounds allow millions of live lobster to be encompassed in areas along the coasts, providing more than an adequate amount of red lobster for reserve. The red lobster seasons are year-round with the exception of the winter seasons. The actual dates for the red lobster season vary and can be broken down by couple of aspects. One view is by location, in warmer regions of the world red lobster seasons tend to begin approximately a month before spring to a month after winter solstice and of course summer seasons are the most promising interval. Another aspect is to focus on the kind of red lobster or species of choice for harvesting.
The following is a table to separately illustrate a few popular lobsters type with their approximate date of abundance:
Type of lobster:
New Shell lobsters*
American lobsters
Spiny lobsters
Approximate dates:
July - October
March - December
All year round Most popular season:
*New shell lobsters are red lobsters that have just been through molting or shedding. These lobsters have a very soft shell and many people do not considered them as good as hard shelled red lobsters.
What’s the difference between a hard shell and soft shell lobster?
Lobster will periodically shed their shells as they grow. This can happen as many as 25 times before they are 6-7 years old; then males shed every year and mature females every two years. When red lobsters become very large molting is less frequent. After they shed they have a paper thin shell, which can take up to two months to harden, and are called soft-shell, new-shell or shedders. The debate goes on as to which is most tasty, though the soft-shell are definitely easier to crack! Either is welcome on our dinner table!
Do lobsters feel pain when you cook them?
The nervous system of a lobster is very simple – not unlike that of an insect. Neither insects nor lobsters have brains. For an organism to perceive pain it must have a more complex nervous system. Neurophysiologists tell us that lobsters, like insects, do not process pain.
How can you minimize the movement of a lobster when its placed in a cooking pot?
A few seconds after a lobster is dropped in boiling water it will begin to twitch its tail. The tail movement, which can continue for about one minute, is part of a reflex action found in red lobster known as the escape response – it is a reflex action to any stimulus. We’ve found the most effective way is to minimize the lobster’s movement time is to chill/ice it before dropping it in water that has come to a rolling boil.
What is the white “goop” you find in the red lobsters and the water after you cook them?
This is the hemolymph, often referred to as the blood of the lobster.
What is the green stuff you find in the cooked red lobsters? Can you eat it?
This is the tomalley or tamali, which functions like the liver, pancreas and intestines in the lobster. Many find it delicious to eat. Recently there have been concerns about finding dioxin in tomalley. The Maine lobster Promotion Council offers this advice to consumers and concerned citizens: “(According to the Advanced Seafood Handbook,) ‘there are no known safety considerations when it comes to eating lobster meat. However, consumers are advised not to eat the tomalley, the light green substance found in the red lobster's carapace. This is the liver and pancreas, which are thought to accumulate contaminants from the environment.’ Much like the liver of other animals, the lobster's tomalley is the natural filter for contaminants, like dioxins, from entering the system. Finding the dioxins in the red lobster tomalley is regrettable, and certainly a sign of the times in which we live. However, it is also a reassuring indication of the red lobster's natural defense system at work, keeping the lobster meat wholesome, nutritious and delicious.”
What is the red stuff you find inside along the tail of cooked red lobster? Can you eat it?
This reddish “coral” as it is called is lobster roe or eggs. Some consider it a gourmet treat.
What do you call a lobster with one claw? Will that lost claw grow back?
A lobster that has lost one claw or has any missing appendage is called a cull. One that has lost two claws is called a bullet or dummie. red lobsters can grow back new claws, legs, and antennae.
What are the parts of a lobster trap?
Traps or pots where originally make of wood, typically oak. Wire mesh traps have replaced the wooden traps for the most part. Lobster enter through the net “head” to go after the bait in a bait bag placed in the “kitchen”. When it tries to exit it lands in the “bedroom” or “parlor”. Some traps have more than one kitchen and bedroom. Traps are required to have an escape vent that is large enough to letter all but the legal size lobsters escape. Traps also are equipped with runners that help prevent legs, claws and antennae from being pinched between the bottom of the trap and the boat when the traps are hauled.
Do lobstermen fish all year?
Fishing regulations vary from state to state in the U.S., and district to district in Canada. In Maine, lobstermen can fish year round. However, lobsters are less active as water temperature drops.
How does a red lobster grow?
It sheds its hard shell and grows a new, larger one. Since the skeleton is on the outside, this molting is essential to growth.
How can you tell the age of a red lobster?
No one knows exactly, but aquarium studies suggest it takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to gain one pound.
How long can a lobster live out of water?
Several days if kept in a cool, moist environment. The lobster is a gill-breather (they breathe seawater and store a certain amount in their gills to survive out of the water), and moisture is essential to survival.
Have lobsters been successfully transplanted to the West Coast?
Attempts have been made to do so, but success has been limited. In 1973, the Canadian government discontinued a six year experiment in which the lobsters were reared successfully in the waters off Bristish Columbia. The decision to drop the project was evidently dictated by economics.
How many kinds of lobsters are there in the country?
Two kinds of lobster-like crustaceans exist in United States waters. The "true" lobster (the Maine lobster) is designated as such to differentiate it from the other form found here, the spiny lobster. The two, from different families, display two differences. The Maine lobster has claws on the first four pairs of legs and the spiny lobster has no claws. The spiny lobster has a pair of horns above the eyes. Record weight for the Maine lobster is 45 pounds. Incidentally, Lobster Deals lobsters are Maine & Canadian lobsters, the tastier of the two. However, there are about 163 species of lobsters that live throughout the world!!
How does a red lobster smell its food?
A lobster "smells" its food by use of small hairs that cover the lobster and the four small antennae.
Where are the lobster's teeth?
A lobsters teeth are in its stomach.
Does pollution kill red lobsters?
Yes, pollution kills lobsters, so don’t pollute!!
How are lobsters caught?
Most lobsters are caught in lobster traps. However some lobsters are caught by fishermen when they are dragging their nets for other catch.
Are lobsters born live?
No, lobster lay eggs that are held together with strands of glue until they hatch.
My lobster didn't arrive alive. What should I do?
It can be difficult to tell sometimes if a lobster is actually DOA (Dead On Arrival), or just sluggish after the long trip from the flight. One good test is to touch the lobster’s eye and watch for movement (gross, but true). If there are no signs of life, don’t give up yet! You may have heard otherwise, but we know that a lobster does not have to be alive at the moment you are cooking it in order to still be good. It is more a matter of the temperature at which the lobster has been kept, and the length of time that has passed, that determines whether it is still good.
So how are you to know what to do?
COOK IT!
Remove the rubber bands from the claws of the dead (or suspected dead) lobster to keep track of it, if any others are alive. It is completely safe to cook all the lobsters together. Fully cook the lobster according to the instructions provided in your cooking manual or on this website. When done, check the consistency of the tail meat. If the meat appears firm and fleshy then it is fine to go ahead and enjoy! If the meat has more of a cottage cheese texture - very watery, loose and mushy, then it obviously should be discarded.
Can a lobster be kept alive in fresh water with ice?
NO! Fresh water in any form (even ice) is lethal to a lobster. A lobster has salty blood and tissue, which requires a seawater environment to maintain life.
Why doesn't a live Maine lobster look bright red, like I've seen in pictures?
lobsters only turn bright red after being cooked! Maine lobsters are naturally dark brown, green, or even blue. Neat, huh?
A Guide To lobster 'Stuff' By Color
Black Stuff - An uncooked or undercooked female red lobster may be harboring eggs, also known as roe or red lobster caviar. These eggs prior to cooking appear thick, shiny and black, and may be found throughout the tail. If you have cooked your red lobster and still see the black stuff, cook them longer and the black stuff will turn into...
Red Stuff - Once the above mentioned female red lobster is fully cooked, those eggs turn bright red in color. Their texture becomes firmer and they look more like the red lobster caviar you may have seen used at your local sushi bar. It's quite delicious, try it if you're feeling adventurous.
Green Stuff - Our final colorful treat (yes, many enjoy this as a delicacy), is the tomalley or liver of the red lobsters. All red lobsters have tomalley and you'll discover it when you separate the tail from the body. If you don't consider it a delicacy, feel free to rinse it off before digging in!
White Stuff - Once a lobster is cooked, you will always see thick whitish foamy stuff around the meat and in the cooking water. This is the fat (or protein), and can just be rinsed off. It's yet another sign that your red lobsters are incredibly fresh!
What is "tomalley"?
Tomalley is the lobster’s liver. It turns green when cooked and is considered a delicacy.
How far do lobsters travel?
The record travel so far is 225 miles covered by a lobster tagged off the Continental Shelf and recovered at Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York.
What do lobsters eat?
Mussels, crabs, clams and seaworms, as well as dead fish.
What color is a lobster's blood?
Colorless, When exposed to oxygen, it develops a bluish color.
How does a lobster grow?
It sheds its hard shell and grows a new, larger one. Since the skeleton is on the outside, this molting is essential to growth.
How can you tell the age of a lobster?
No one knows exactly, but aquarium studies suggest it takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to gain one pound.
How long can a lobster live out of water?
Several days if kept in a cool, moist environment. The lobster is a gill-breather (they breathe seawater and store a certain amount in their gills to survive out of the water), and moisture is essential to survival.
