If you live in Boston, if you are visiting from outside the city, the state, or the country, having a seafood meal is a tradition you won’t want to miss. When in town, one of the most popular choices in menu selections is lobster.
Many people who aren’t familiar with this delicacy may be intimidated by the idea of having to pick a lobster out of the tank on their own. For some, they may let the wait staff choose one, and that is certainly an option to consider. However, even in the best restaurant, it is always a good idea to try choosing your own crustacean to enjoy as it really isn’t a complicated process if you just keep a few basic facts in mind.
Choose an Active Lobster
While top restaurants will remove a lobster that has been in the tank past its prime, there is always a chance they may not have done this task recently. You want to choose the freshest and the best for maximum flavor.
Ideally, look for an active lobster. This means that the lobster is rapidly scuttling around, swimming, and generally moving about in a fairly consistent manner. If someone has just selected one the entire tank may be fairly active, but look for those that seem to be giving it that extra effort. These are typically the lobsters that have been added to the tank most recently.
Upward Claw Position is Important
Along with moving around and swimming, the crustacean should be holding their claws up and forward. They should not appear to be down and dragging. Even though the claws will have a rubber band on them to prevent damage to the others in the tank, they should still be up and not being pulled along the bottom.
Straight Tails are Key to Freshness
When the lobster is steamed or boiled, the tail will naturally curl through exposure to heat. However, when the lobster is in the tank, it should have a straight tail that is held flat.
The size of the lobster tail will also indicate the amount of meat you will enjoy. If you are hungry, choose a lobster with a longer and wider tail as well as larger claws. Those are the significant, and very tasty, locations for the delicate meat.
Despite what you may think, the color of the shell of the lobster is irrelevant. Don’t be concerned if it is brown or even has a greenish color, it is still fresh from the waters around Boston. It will always be a beautiful red color when it is cooked and brought to your table.
At the Boston & Maine Fish Company, we offer a range of different menu items featuring lobster as well as other local seafood. To learn more see us online at Domain. For more updates like our Facebook page.