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Tips for Buying and
Handling
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Maine Lobster are available, live, all year long. During the summer months, they shed their shells as they grow and the majority of Maine Lobster caught from Mid June through Mid Sept. are soft shell, or shedder lobsters.
Soft Shells
If you’re having Maine Lobster shipped overnight during the summer, be advised that they don’t travel as well as the hard shells of the spring and fall. The carapace (body shell) is very soft after the summer shedding, making them more delicate and susceptible to “damage” during transport. Most reputable dealers have found shipping methods to solve this trouble, but be aware – NEVER cook and eat a lobster that arrives dead.
Handling
Once you get your lobster delivery, immediately refrigerate them. If you have a damp cloth (not soaking wet) you can put that over them as well, but most shippers have already done something like that. Rockweed, a damp cloth or sponge, or even a wet Portland Press Herald may show up in your shipment. This damp material helps the lobster’ breath. And you might be able to catch up on all the local news.
Don’t
Don’t leave lobster out in the warm room. Lobsters are very sensitive to rapid temperature change and if you leave them out, it’s likely they will die before you cook them. That’s bad.
Don’t
Don’t put them in cold water. Fresh water will kill a lobster extremely quickly. And don’t think that you can salt the water and make it OK. You can’t
Don’t
Don’t put them in the freezer or on ice. Again, rapid temperature change will kill them. If you want frozen lobster, buy frozen lobster. There are some new processes that create a terrific frozen product. But we’re telling you, nothing tastes like really fresh, live Maine lobster.
Don’t
Don’t remove the wooden pegs or rubber bands that are holding the claws closed. They are there for a reason. The claws are very powerful and we know a
few lobstermen who are missing finger parts. When you pick up live lobster, grab them from behind the head and put them quickly in boiling water face first. Live lobsters will reach out with those claws to try and get you, hence the rubber bands or pegs. |
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