Buying a Lobster – Fresh vs Frozen

For most of us, lobster is a delicacy—a meal we indulge in only occasionally. Prices can be a bit high, but the juicy, succulent meat of a good lobster is well worth the cost. Lobster lovers will agree that having it for dinner is a truly special occasion, whether it’s enjoyed at a restaurant or on the family table at home.

However, buying a lobster can be a bit intimidating for the average person. Many potential lobster chefs aren’t sure what to look for when purchasing a lobster from the store. More importantly, they may not know where to buy the best, freshest lobster—the ideal specimen that will result in that much-anticipated, perfect meal. With just a few pointers, though, even a novice lobster cook can choose the right lobster and prepare a memorable dinner for everyone lucky enough to be at the table.

How Should a Lobster Look?

Often, simply looking at a lobster can help determine if it’s a good pick. However, the color doesn’t matter much. Most lobsters consumed in North America are harvested from the Atlantic Ocean, around Maine and the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. These lobsters are usually greenish-brown or black in color but can also have shades of yellow, blue, or brownish-red. (Lobsters don’t turn bright red until they’re cooked!) According to experts, color doesn’t affect the flavor.

Other factors, however, do make a difference. If a lobster isn’t fresh and has been kept in a tank for a while, its claws will shrink, and it will generally become weaker. A fresh lobster, when pulled from the tank, should put up a good fight. It should raise its claws and flap its tail. If its claws are droopy and its tail is curled under its body, the lobster is no longer fresh. Try pulling the tail straight—if it doesn’t re-curl, the lobster has likely been in the tank too long and should not be purchased.

If you notice black marks or holes in the shell, this can indicate that the lobster may be old. While the holes don’t directly affect the flavor, you’ll probably want to opt for a younger lobster without such imperfections.

Lobster Size

When buying a lobster, does size matter? It mostly depends on what you plan to do with it. If lobster is the main course, you’ll want to select one that weighs between 1 ½ and 2 pounds. To ensure you’re getting an ample amount of meat (usually about 1 1/3 cups per 1 ½ lb. lobster), measure the carapace—the length between the eye socket and the start of the tail. If you’re deciding between two lobsters of the same weight, the one with the smaller carapace will tend to have more meat, giving you more for your money.

Lobster experts say there’s really no difference in flavor between male and female lobsters. However, males tend to have bigger claws, while females usually have meatier tails. To distinguish between them, examine the first set of appendages where the body and tail meet. The male lobster’s appendages are thick and stiff, while the female’s are softer.

When to Buy

Lobster fishermen catch lobsters year-round, so you can purchase one at almost any time. However, prices tend to be higher from Memorial Day through Labor Day, when demand increases due to lobster bakes, picnics, and other summer events, as well as the peak tourist season in Maine and eastern Canada. Prices generally drop again in the fall. As with most products, price depends on supply and demand, and many factors can influence the availability of lobsters.

Where to Buy

Supermarkets aren’t the best place to buy lobster, especially if you’re far from the coast. Supermarket lobsters are often older and may have been sitting in the tank for weeks, particularly when prices are high. If you’re buying lobster live and in person, it’s best to visit a specialty seafood store instead of a regular grocery store.

In the age of online shopping, buying fresh live lobster online is also a great option. Many lobster pounds in Maine or the Maritime Provinces of Canada ship directly to you from the cold waters of the Atlantic. They are shipped “live,” usually via overnight shipping, ensuring freshness. This service is convenient—you can even order by 3 pm the day before you need the lobster.

However, be sure that you or someone else is available to receive the package and refrigerate the lobster immediately. Plan to cook it on the day you receive it, and allow for about 1 to 2 pounds per person.

When ordering online, always check to see if the company offers a guarantee in case the lobster arrives damaged or is no longer alive by the time it reaches your door.

Prices for online lobster purchases will vary, but, once again, they are largely determined by supply and demand at the time you place your order.