Have you been shopping at your local grocery store or online for lobster specials? Live lobsters can be intimidating to buy. How big should a lobster be? What is the difference between a male and female lobster? Are the lobsters healthy? How can you tell?

One of the best treats a seafood enthusiast can ever have is eating lobster. The idea of cooking lobster recipes at home can be daunting for people who have only eaten lobster at restaurants.

Here’s a quick and easy guide for locals and beginner lobster buyers on how to buy lobsters without getting scammed. If you want to cook lobster at home, follow these tips.

3 Most Popular Lobster Species

1. British lobster – Homarus gammarus

It is also referred to as a ‘native lobster’ in the UK. Throughout the summertime, British lobsters are plentiful and readily available. Lobsters are easiest to catch in the weeks surrounding Wimbledon, and then they crawl back to their original habitat.

Our native lobster is most often purchased from Scottish and Cornish seafood vendors from June to September. It is possible to purchase native lobster other than in the summer, but you will have to pay a premium for it.

2. Maine lobster – Homarus americanus

Lobster exports from Maine in the USA are internationally renowned. A steady supply of quality lobster is available to exporters, and the industry maintains a high level of export quality. When we supply you during the off-season in the UK, this backup supply meets your needs.

3. Rock Lobster – Palinuridae

Rock lobsters are purchased from the Caribbean islands. Typically, our rock lobsters are sold as tails, instead of whole lobsters, and the majority of rock lobster recipes use tails as the main ingredient. Unlike American or British lobsters, rock lobsters don’t have claws, so the tail is the most valuable part. It is sometimes called crayfish in Southern America.

Lobsters with Hard Shells are the Best

Due to their strength and hardiness, hard-shell lobsters are well-suited for shipping. In addition to being meatier, hard shell lobsters have a more satisfying texture as well. If a lobster has a heavy feel compared to its size, it is a good choice. Soft shells will give way to pressure, whereas hard shells will be firm when squeezed. Although soft-shell lobsters cost less than hard-shell lobsters, the savings might not be worth it.

Lobsters, Male or Female?

The first pair of swimmerets, or appendages, near the point where the body meets the tail, are used to identify males and females. Female lobsters have supple, delicate legs while male lobsters have robust legs.

Male and female lobsters taste the same in most cases. You can choose a male or female lobster based on your preference, with the following significant differences:

• The claws of adult males will be larger.
• The roe of female lobsters is considered to be a delicacy by some.
• The tail of a female lobster will be larger than that of a male lobster.

How Big should a Lobster be?

There are different sizes of lobsters, ranging from those that are smaller than the legal limit up to those that weigh in at over twenty pounds. Each lobster is sold by its weight. A live lobster is graded according to its shell quality and size. A healthy lobster is always best, regardless of its weight.

An average of 1.5 to 2 pounds of lobster per guest is enough if lobster is the main attraction. Some claim that larger lobsters are tougher, and smaller lobsters are tastier, but it’s all about cooking them right.

Lobster Preparation

Use a sturdy, sharp knife to prepare lobster for consumption, making sure the blade side is angled towards the tail and cut swiftly along its cross. Even if a lobster has been frozen unconscious, some people find it cruel to boil it.

Cooking Lobster

Normally, lobsters are boiled once they have been caught. Cooking a lobster whole (around 500g) takes approximately 4 minutes.

Alternatively, you can cook the lobster for eight to ten minutes on a grill, barbecue, or grill pan. A lobster’s shell will turn a bright red once cooked, and its juices will begin to form when they seep from its shell.

Let the claws cool before cracking them and remove the meaty white flesh after cooking. The tail should be removed and peeled like a huge prawn.

As a raw appetizer, fresh lobster tastes great when served as carpaccio. For best results, blanch for 30 seconds in boiling water before plunging into ice-cold water. As a result, you can remove the lobster shell without having to cook it. The lobster should be peeled, sliced finely, and flavoured with spring onions, ginger, and lemon.

Pairings for Lobster

It is widely believed by seafood lovers that succulent lobster flesh requires very subtle enhancement. Simple is best. Cooked lobster meat can be served hot with melted butter or chilled with a lemon mayo sauce. Serving this dish with mixed greens, chips, roasted potatoes, freshly grilled corn, and buns won’t detract from the star of the show.

Cooked lobster pairs perfectly with pasta’s mild flavour. There is nothing better than lobster mousse stuffed ravioli, or lobster cream-covered tagliatelle.

As far as lobster thermidor goes, it’s unique, creamy, cheesy, and spicy from the hot mustard, hence you’ll want something refreshing to serve alongside; fresh fennel and garlic-dressed green beans are a good choice.