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Lobsters can be cooked in many ways. They are considered a luxurious delicacy due to their expensive price, but you can now easily order them online and prepare them the way you want to. You can add them in salads and pasta, or enjoy them steamed, baked or grilled. The white, sweet and succulent meat is found in the tail, knuckles and claw, or in the legs and body. When buying lobsters, here are some of the key things to consider.
- Species
Lobsters come in a wide range of species, but you are likely to see only two in local markets: spiny and Maine lobsters. You can easily distinguish one from the other because spiny lobsters don’t have claws. They come from the warm waters of the Caribbean. They also have a white spotted pattern. The frozen lobster tails you see in the market are usually from spiny lobsters. On the other hand, Maine lobsters are from the cold waters of the Atlantic. They are often sold live and are popular for their firm and sweet meat in the claws and knuckles.
- Liveliness
Lobsters are best cooked alive or just after being killed. If not, the meat can be mushy, especially in the tail. This is why frozen lobsters are rarely whole, but often come as tails or claws. The best thing to do is keep the lobster alive until you are ready to cook it. Healthy lobsters should lift their claws when you pick them up. They should readily move their legs, raise their tail or flap it a few times. Avoid those with limp claws or little movement.
- Hardness
Lobsters reveal their soft shells when they shed the old ones as they grow. They puff up with water and stretch out a new shell that hardens eventually. This process takes place from June to December. To test their hardness, gently squeeze the carapace. Soft shell lobsters are easier to cut with shears or rip by hand. Hard shell lobsters require strong force using lobster crackers or a big knife. Many consumers prefer hard shell lobsters because they say they are tastier, though taste is relative. Additionally, hard shell lobsters offer more meat than their counterpart filled with water.
- Size
It is not true that bigger lobsters are tougher. Buying smaller lobsters offers the convenience of handling them easier. Large ones are often more expensive because you are likely to pay per pound.
You can buy lobsters live, frozen or freshly cooked, whole or in pieces. Grocery stores and fish markets offer them in these forms but you can also have them delivered right to your doorstep if you choose to purchase online. You can buy quality Maine lobsters and enjoy them the way you want to. Simply get in touch with a reputable seller for the latest Maine lobster prices and order directly from them.
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