So, if your lobsters come from a different state (or Canada), its probably best to choose hard shells. However, the denser shells also mean that Canadian lobsters can survive a bit longer out of the waterup to 72 hours. However, the water temperature is slightly higher compared to the lobsters habitat in Canada. They are small but have very large antennas. [4] [5] It can reach a body length of 64 cm (25 in), and a mass of over . The only part that you can eat from a warm water lobster is the tail. Although Maine lobster is considered good quality, South African lobster is of an even higher standard of excellence. One of, if not the largest poaching settlements of all time was settled over these lobsters to the tune of $22.5 million and prison time. It will cost you about $45 per pound of lobster. Maine Shore . However, due to the concern about the lobster population, their harvesting season is staggered during their summer molts. Each tail will often cost about $25 -$35 or about $45 $60 per pound. Instead of claws, they have antennae which are also used to scare predators. Despite being more common in the waters around India, the biggest consumer of the scalloped spiny lobster is China, with most Chinese consumers using the crustacean as a celebration dish. The wild lobsters are trap caught, and then frozen at sea to ensure freshness. They can also be found with yellow spots on their abdomen. And have you tried it? The reason the small lobsters are better is because of their age. This lobster's habitat ranges from South Carolina to Brazil. How Much Does a Backpack Cost? . The European lobster also tends to be smaller than Homarus americanus, but the quantity is offset by quality, as the meat tends to be more flavorful. Warm Goat Cheese Salad. Florida lobsters dont have claws because they come from a species of warm-water lobsters who have developed a slightly distinct exoskeleton to match their feeding habits. On average, a pound of frozen Canadian lobster will cost about $65. lobster meat. Starting at $40.00. To start, the service was top-notch. As a food, the Norway lobster is similar to crab taste and texture, and is sweeter than shrimp. However, no Are you looking for something to serve with your elegant lobster tails? Its easy to boil, bake, grill, or microwave a lobster tail, and it stays in form while cooking with a great uniformity to the cooking. Lobsters are usually twice as big as Norway lobsters, and when cooked have a darker red color. Softshell lobsters have less meat to cook in comparison to hard shell lobsters. Still, if you manage to get your hands on a California spiny lobster, you may want to treat yourself by boiling them, dousing them with butter, slapping them on a hot grill for a few minutes, and then finishing with even more butter (via OC Wild Seafood). The most sought after lobster tail. If you want to enjoy true lobsters, you must buy this type. Most of that weight is in the tail as, like other warm water lobster species, they have no claws. There are also two types of Maine . tail meat. The meat's flavor isn't as sweet or delicate as the kind you'll find under a Maine lobster's shell, but it still tastes great and pairs well with a variety of dishes, from pasta to soup to omlettes to gumbo. As you have learned about 12 different types of lobster, do you know the answer for the best one? You don't have to worry if you order live Maine lobsters directly at Fishermen's Net at a reasonable price, they will be shipped straight to your door. For those unfamiliar with the term "rock lobster," that means that these are a warm water species that lacks claws. The meat gets tougher and less sweet as it ages." How to Buy Lobster Tails Average Price (Frozen Shipped): $50/lb. The Meat The only part of a warm-water lobster that humans can eat is the tail. Maine Lobster (North American Hardshell Lobster) . South African Lobster (5) at Eddie V's Prime Seafood "The ambiance, food taste/quality/quantity, drink and service made the price worth it. It is spiny and lacks claws, which you may believe makes it essentially the same as any other rock or warm lobster, but you'd be wrong.. This type of lobster has stunning purple and lavender markings. This is the basis of the distinction between both types of lobsters. However, before you set out to make your purchase, you should carefully consider your needs. True lobsters are found in all but polar seas and the greater depths. The closer you are to the source of the lobster, the more you can rely on having fresher lobster. No matter what youre in the mood for, youll find something to suit your tastes at our Key Biscayne seafood restaurant. The reason is that they live in warmer waters than Canada which gives them an overall better taste that you can't compare to any other type of lobster. Apart from knowing the best lobster species to look at, you also need to know how to pick them when youre at a store. 8-10oz South African Lobster Tails. Like the Maine lobster, the Canadian lobster is also of the genus Homarus americanus, meaning they're the exact same species (via The Ocean Mart). Hard and soft shell lobsters need a different style of cooking because soft shell lobsters are more fragile and they are also harder to ship. This may not seem like a big deal but its a significant game changer and produces a perfectly delicious tail. Unlike other lobsters, these bury themselves in mud and not in holes. While many people choose Maine lobsters because of their taste, others choose them because they are the only so-called true lobsters. To preserve their sweet flavors, it's essential that you don't boil lobster tails! Since Tristan da Cunha is only accessible by boat and the trip takes six days, this journey is only made nine times a year. The inhabitants of the island know how important the lobsters are to their economy. Maine lobsters are known by their classic exoskeleton, while Florida lobsters dont have these and are known as spiny lobsters due to their long, spiny antennae. As the Global Times reports, lobsters are important in Chinese culture. It takes more time for them to grow than Caribbean lobsters. As a result, the standards for quality are extremely high, and the lobsters are protected until they are harvested at their peak adult condition. This slight change in habitat temperature affects their tenderness and flavor, making them slightly below what youd get from Maine lobsters. Caribbean lobsters are commercially fished when they reach the minimum size of around 3 inches (7.6 centimeters). Tristan da Cunha, known as "The Lonely Island", is regarded as the remotest inhabited island on Earth. There are only three operators in the world that are allowed to fish off the South Coast. Lobsters with soft shells are a little bit tastier and are easier to prepare. Used by top chefs and retailers globally thanks to its exquisite flavour and texture, impeccable sustainability credentials, and utterly reliable supply 52 weeks a year. South African Lobster Tails are in high demand due to the sweet, succulent meat contained in the brilliant red-colored shell. Which species is best, and how can you get the best one? Rock lobsters have a long antenna for tracking down food but lack large claws. The meat is sweet and firm. Wild-caught and flash-frozen upon catch to ensure the freshest of seafood tastes. These lobsters have claws; however, they are not termed clawed lobsters. This debate has been raging for a while, with many different reasons for each choice. The texture of a Maine lobster tail is generally firmer than that of a South African lobster. The Canadian variant comes from colder waters and looks slightly different. 3. The meat is firm, and the flavor is mildly sweet. Langoustine season runs from September to May, and the most common fisheries are in the North Sea, close to Norway, Scotland, and off the north east coast of England. All types of lobsters have their hard shell and soft shell seasons because they molt or shed their shell to grow. Maine lobster prices have dropped by 20 percent since January 2020. I hope you find value in the articles on this website. The Rigel 4 crew processes the kreef they catch by blast freezing them under 20 minutes after being caught to prevent excessive handling and thawing/rethawing. . The claws are also used for self-defense when necessary. However, it makes up for this by providing plenty of delicious tail meat. Both Maine and South African lobsters have a sweet flavor, though many people describe South African lobster as having a more pronounced taste. That means hard shell lobsters can be transported further and kept alive longer than soft shell lobsters. The crustacean has become a bit harder to source after being identified as "vulnerable" by theIUCN in 2013. The world's most treasured coldwater spiny lobster, from the most remote inhabited island in the world, Tristan da Cunha. Cold water lobsters are also known as clawed lobsters. The lobster farming practice, which involves capturing young lobsters and then fattening them up, started midway through the '90s and grew from there (via Namnam.net). Of course, Maine lobsters getting rave reviews also mean Canadian lobsters are more competitively priced in most places. The West Coast Rock Lobster is the more commonly known species amongst South African consumers. Obviously, they are warm water lobsters because they have long appendages and no claws. Cold-water lobsters yield whiter meat than warm-water lobsters. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, American live lobster exports to China, a major buyer of seafood, plummeted by more than 40 percent in 2019 after China imposed heavy tariffs on U.S. lobsters . The island was discovered in 1506 . Instead of the traditional claws, you may be more accustomed to seeing as a typical lobster, warm water lobsters have what look like antennae instead, which are the front set of legs. How many people would want to pay for a pack of lobster claws knowing that around 80% of the weight isnt edible? If youre trying to weed out lobsters with really old shells, the only characteristic to watch out for is dirty or scrapes-laden claws. Some are essential, while others are just nice to have. Our South African Cold Water Lobster Tail is a premier species of lobster tail around the world. This makes it hard to arrive at a consensus. The price of Maine is usually high. Indulge during your next visit. The South African lobster tail is both sweet and juicy, which is why it is a delicacy. . Soft shell lobsters are usually caught in the summer months, and are not as durable as hard-shell lobsters. Heres an interesting fact about the South African lobster tail: it is widely considered the number-one lobster tail preferred by top-rated seafood restaurants and steakhouses across the United States and the world. Cook until the meat is white and opaque. 2. Instead, they have antennae-like "arms" that they use to feed themselves with. If you do get ahold of a South African lobster tail, you should consider using the frozen meat to make a few lobster rolls. They are very small and often known for their coloring instead of their meat.