Lobsters

Cold Water vs Warm Water Lobster

How does grilled lobster tail sound for dinner? Maybe you prefer other lobster recipes, even something as simple as steamed lobster. Regardless, you will want to be sure you are choosing the right type of lobster meat for whatever you might be making. For example, do you want Maine lobster or spiny lobster? When it comes to cold water vs. warm water lobster, it’s important to have an understanding of the differences and similarities.

Below, we will be learning more about cold water lobster, warm water lobster tails, cooking lobster, lobster tail nutrition, lobster colors, how to eat lobster, how to find lobster, and more.

Spiny Lobster vs. Maine Lobster

The Maine lobster is also known as the American lobster, and it tends to be found from the north near Labrador down to the coast of New Jersey. There is lobster meat in the claws, tail, and body of this type of lobster. The spiny lobster is a warm water lobster, and you will notice that these lobsters have a large antenna and no real claws of which to speak. The tail does have more lobster meat than a Maine lobster, though.

Which is the Largest Lobster?

Between the spiny lobster and the Maine lobster, Maine is the biggest lobster. This means that there tends to be more meat overall in Maine. However, as noted above, the spiny lobster tail tends to have more meat than that found in the Maine lobster.

Taste of the Maine Lobster

This is a cold water lobster, and as such, the taste is far sweeter than what you will find in warm water lobsters. The claws of the Maine lobster tend to be tender and delicious, and those who are seeking more lobster meat overall will often choose this option.

Taste of the Spiny Lobster

Whether it is a spiny lobster from Florida or a Caribbean spiny lobster, it will have more meat in the tail than what’s found with the Maine lobster. The taste will be different, however. Spiny lobsters have more a seafood taste to them, which works well for many lobster recipes.

Cooking Lobster

There are many lobster recipes that you can try, but you need to know how to cook lobster correctly first. While there are various preparation methods, understanding the basics of cooking lobster is simple. Below, we will look at what you will want to know to get started.

How to Butterfly a Lobster Tail

If you want to prepare the lobster as you might see at a restaurant, you will want to butterfly the lobster tail. It’s simple to do. You will pat dry the thawed lobster tail and then use kitchen shears to cut through the top of the shell lengthwise down toward the tail. Stop before you reach the tail fins. Doing this will also cut into the meat to butterfly it, allowing it to sit on top of the shell.

Once you have made the cut, you will then spread the shell open at the cut. Place your fingers under the lobster meat and carefully pull it out in a single piece. Close the shell once the meat is removed and then place the meat atop the shell. It can then be seasoned and cooked. This can work for Maine lobster and spiny lobster alike.

How to Cook Lobster Tail

If you will be cooking the lobster tail you butterflied, you will add your seasonings or marinate and place them into an oven-safe pan on top of the shell. You will bake them at 450F for about 25 minutes. Be sure to brush the tails with the marinade two to three more times while they are cooking to ensure the tails are juicy and tender. There are other ways of cooking lobster, as well, discussed below.

How Long Do You Boil Lobster?

Many times, you will simply want to boil the lobster to cook it. This tends to be a relatively fast and simple method that you can use. To boil lobsters, you will use a large stockpot filled about halfway with water. Add between two and three tablespoons of salt and bring the water to a boil. Then you can add your lobsters to the pot and return the water to a boil.

Then, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking the lobsters for between 12 and 18 minutes. Some lobsters may take longer. The shells should turn bright red and the meat should be firm and opaque. Once cooked, remove the lobsters, and serve the lobster with melted butter and wedges of lemon. You can use this simple method to cook spiny lobster and Maine lobster.

How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tail

Frozen lobster tails are a great option, but you will want to know how to start cooking lobster tails. Ideally, you will have the tails thawed before you begin. They can be boiled, as discussed above, or they could be steamed or grilled. Take the lobster out of the freezer and allow it to slow thaw overnight on a covered plate in the fridge. You could also place the lobster tails in a Ziplock bag under cold water in the sink to speed up the thawing process.

Once the tails are thawed, you can opt to steam them or grill them. To steam the lobster tails, add about two inches of water to an appropriately sized pan for the number of lobster tails you are cooking. Add a steaming rack and bring the water to a boil. Add the tails and make sure the water continues to boil. For lobster tails that are 6-7 ounces, steam for six to eight minutes, steam eight- to 10-ounce lobster tails for eight to 10 minutes, and huge lobster tails that are 16 to 24 ounces for 10 to 12 minutes.

How to Eat Lobster

After the lobster is cooked and cool enough that you can handle it, you can start to remove the shell and eat the lobster. If you have a whole lobster, you will want to remove the claws by holding the body of the lobster in one hand and then use your other hand to grab a claw and bring it toward the lobster tail beneath the body. This should remove it. Then separate the claws from the knuckles.

Use a claw cracker and hammer to crack the shell of the claws, so you can then remove the lobster meat. Separate the knuckles and do the same.

Separate the lobster tail from the body by holding the lobster body in one hand and the tail in the other. Bend the tail and twist it to separate it. Open up the tail and remove the lobster meat, and be sure to discard the digestive tract, which looks like a vein. You can also remove meat from the body of the lobster, as well as the legs. Using a pick can help to get all of the meat. Melted butter always goes well with lobster meat.

Why Lobster is So Expensive

In the past, lobsters were not expensive at all. They were so abundant they were considered a poor person’s protein. This latest up until the 1880s when the demand for lobster meat started to rise and the supply started to drop. Today, they are considered a delicacy, and they often have high prices to match. Additionally, commercial lobster fishing is difficult, which adds to the higher lobster price.

The highest lobster prices tend to be found at restaurants that offer the delicacy. The restaurant is also charging for the preparation of the meal and serving the lobster, of course. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to always pay outrageous prices since you can always start cooking lobster tails and whole lobsters at home.

How Many Calories in Lobster?

The United States Department of Agriculture provides a database with lobster nutrition information. You will find that lobster can be a healthy option. In 145 grams of cooked lobster meat, you will be eating 129 calories. This will include 1.25 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbohydrates, and 27.55 grams of protein. As you can see, lobster meat can be an excellent source of protein.

Lobster offers a range of nutrients including copper, selenium, zinc, calcium, and iron. It also has a small amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. A huge lobster will naturally have more meat and will increase the calories, protein, etc.

Find Lobster for Sale

If you are interested in cooking lobster, it’s easier than ever today no matter where you might live. You can find online lobster delivery options that can provide you with spiny lobster or Maine lobster depending on your tastes and needs. With lobster online, you can enjoy Maine lobster tail whenever you might want it, and you will find that the lobster price tends to be lower when you order online. Check out spiny and Maine lobster delivery options to find what you need.