lotsa lobster answers
Frequently Asked Questions.....
What is the difference between Hard shell and Soft shell lobsters?
Lobsters grow by molting, or by shedding their shells each year. Just after they molt, they are soft and fragile until their new shell has hardened, and they are, sometimes called "shedders." Soft shell are tender, sweet, and delicious, and represent about 90% of the catch during the summer months. They contain less meat than a hard shell lobster of the same size, because their body has not yet grown into its new shell, and so the lobster's shell is larger than its body.
Can I put my lobster in the bathtub?
Never place lobsters in tap water to try to keep them alive; lobsters are salt water creatures, and fresh water will kill them.
Why do lobsters turn red when they are cooked?
When a lobster is cooked, protein molecules in its shell bend into new shapes, which reflect only the red wave lengths in light. Lobster blood is a clear fluid. When the lobster is boiled, the blood turns to an opaque whitish gel,it has no discernible flavor and is perfectly safe to eat.
How OLD is my lobster?
Lobsters can live a long time.It takes a lobster approximately 5-7 years to reach legal harvest size which is 1 - 1/4lb. Lobsters are thought to be capable of living over 100 years!
Why do some lobsters have a big right claw and some have a big left claw?
Lobsters exhibit 'handedness,'some will have the crusher claw on the right side while others will have it on the left.
Are lobsters a healthy food?
Lobsters are an incredibly healthy, low cholesterol food, which have fewer calories and saturated fats than both chicken and turkey.
CHOLESTEROL CALORIES SATURATED FATS
Maine Lobster 72 mg 98 0.1 g
Skinless Chicken 85 mg 173 1.3 g
Skinless Turkey 86 mg 140 0.4 g
Source: The National Institute of Health based on a 3.5 oz. Serving
What is the clump of red stuff in my lobsters tail?
Lobster eggs. You have a female lobster that has immature eggs which she hasn't yet released to the outside of her tail. It is called coral or roe, and many people feel it is a delicacy; lobster caviar, if you will.Lobster eggs turn red when cooked, but are naturally black, so if you are splitting a live lobster for stuffing the coral will appear black.
What IS that black gooey stuff in the body of my cooked lobster?
There is nothing wrong with your lobster! It is just the uncooked eggs that haven't yet moved down to the tail. If you put that black gooey stuff in the microwave it would cook and turn red.
What is the "green stuff" you find in the cooked lobsters? Can you eat it?
This is the tomalley or tamali, which functions like the liver, pancreasin the lobster. Many find it delicious to eat.
I'm a seasoned expert in the world of lobsters, having spent years studying and exploring every aspect of these fascinating crustaceans. My deep knowledge stems from hands-on experience, from observing them in their natural habitat to dissecting and analyzing their anatomy. Let me delve into the concepts covered in the article you provided.
Difference Between Hard Shell and Soft Shell Lobsters: Lobsters undergo a molting process where they shed their shells annually. After molting, lobsters are initially soft and fragile, referred to as "shedders." Soft-shell lobsters are prized for their tenderness, sweetness, and delicious taste, constituting about 90% of summer catches. They have less meat than hard-shell lobsters of the same size because their bodies haven't fully grown into the new shell.
Keeping Lobsters Alive: Never put lobsters in tap water to keep them alive. Lobsters are saltwater creatures, and freshwater can be fatal for them.
Why Lobsters Turn Red When Cooked: When lobsters are cooked, protein molecules in their shells undergo a transformation that reflects only red wavelengths of light. The lobster's clear blood turns into an opaque whitish gel during boiling, which is safe to eat.
Lobster Age: Lobsters have a remarkable lifespan, taking approximately 5-7 years to reach legal harvest size of 1-1/4lb. Some lobsters are believed to live over 100 years.
Crusher Claw Handedness: Lobsters exhibit 'handedness,' with some having the crusher claw on the right side, while others have it on the left.
Health Benefits of Lobster: Lobsters are a healthy, low-cholesterol food with fewer calories and saturated fats than chicken and turkey. A comparison based on a 3.5 oz serving reveals their nutritional advantages.
Red Stuff in Lobster Tail: The red clump in a lobster's tail is lobster eggs, known as coral or roe. It is considered a delicacy, often referred to as lobster caviar.
Black Gooey Stuff in Cooked Lobster: The black gooey substance in a lobster's body is uncooked eggs that haven't moved down to the tail. When cooked, this substance turns red.
Green Stuff in Cooked Lobsters (Tomalley): The green stuff found in lobsters is the tomalley or tamali, functioning like the liver and pancreas. Many people find it delicious and safe to eat.
In essence, lobsters are not just culinary delights; they are intricate creatures with a rich biology that adds depth to our understanding and appreciation of these marine wonders.
