Whenever you get to the restaurant, you are putting your health into someone’s hands. Many people get sick due to food poisoning every year. But thankfully, the chefs are taking the necessary precautions to lower the risks. Even in our homes, we should ensure that we take the necessary steps while preparing the lobsters. And one of the fundamental ways is to cook the lobsters when they are still alive.
Lobsters and other shellfish are cooked alive. This does not hurt them. They do not feel pain. The screaming sound people hear when lobster boils is steam escaping their shells. They are cooked alive because this prevents dangerous bacteria from multiplying within their corpses before consumption.
Are lobsters cooked alive? Yes. In fact, it is highly advisable to cook the lobsters alive. And not just lobsters but other shellfish too. Shellfish and lobsters contain harmful bacteria that are naturally available in their flesh. When the lobster dies, these bacteria start to multiply rapidly, releasing toxins that can’t be destroyed by cooking. As such, you will be minimizing the chances of food poisoning when you cook the lobster alive.
Do lobsters feel pain when boiled alive?
Many studies have been conducted on the issue of cooking lobster. It’s known that immediately the lobster dies, the toxins start to multiply at a faster rate. But, if the lobster dies while in boiling water, the toxins won’t have a chance of multiplying as they will be killed instantly by the high temperatures. Therefore, boiling the lobster alive is highly recommended.
Actually, this is ideal for us since we will not get sick or be affected by the bacteria. But what about the lobster? Studies have shown that lobsters don’t have the brain. Therefore, they cannot feel pain. But is it true? It’s fair to say that they’re not self-aware like human beings; however, they tend to react when the tissues are damaged both hormonally and physically. As such, they are obviously able to detect pain to some extent.
Those who are thinking that they eat a live lobster, it isn’t the case. When the water boils, it is killed at that same time. If it has been in the ice for 15 minutes or more then dropped in the boiling water, it will die quickly.
Do you know that lobster produces the same hormone we produce when it is hurt? Human beings produce cortisol hormone when they are hurt. The same applies to the lobster. However, the most common sign of distress in lobster is twitching of the tail that evolved as the escape reflex.
Contrary to the many claims made by the seafood sellers, the lobster does feel pain when boiled alive. If they feel pain when cut, don’t expect them not to feel pain when placed in boiling water. When the lobster is cut, you may notice his tail twitching, a reflex produced to escape.
Many scientists agree that the lobster’s nervous system is sophisticated. For instance, Tom Abraham, a neurobiologist, claims that lobsters have many senses. On the other hand, a marine biologist, Jelle Atema, believes that the lobsters feel pain.
Even lobsters may feel more pain than we would. A zoologist says that lobster doesn’t have the autonomic nervous system, which can put it into a state of shock when it’s harmed. Probably, it feels itself being cut. It feels pain when being cut open and being cooked.
Any person who has once boiled a lobster alive can attest that the lobster whips when dropped in the scalding waters. The lobster whips the body wildly and even scraps the sides of a pot in an attempt to escape. When you are not careful, you can also be scalded with the same boiling water. This shows that the lobsters feel pain when boiled alive since they try to escape.
Do lobsters scream when boiled alive?
Biologically, lobsters do not have vocal cords that are necessary to produce a sound. Human beings have vocal cords, and that is why we can scream. Even other animals can scream. It is, however, a myth that lobsters scream when boiled alive. When placed in the boiling water, they struggle and try to escape but not scream.
Normally, people confuse the hissing sound the lobster produces when dropped in the boiling water. The hissing sound you hear is most likely the air that escapes the body or shell of the lobster when in boiling water.
Also, it can be argued that the lobsters do not scream from pain since they have no brain but only a nervous system. Lobsters don’t scream since they lack the vocal cords, but they can actually feel the pain.
Is cooking lobsters alive cruel?
It is ideal for killing the lobster immediately before cooking. But is boiling a lobster alive a good thing? What’s the most humane way to cook a lobster? While dropping a live lobster in a pot of boiling water can really be fatal, there’re some arguments about whether it’s cruel.
Usually, the lobster thrashes its tail often and makes a knocking sound in the pot when boiled alive. Also, sometimes, it can loosen the lid, making you and those you are preparing dinner for uncomfortable. However, does it suffer?
Killing Before Cooking
Boiling a lobster alive can be cruel, and thus, killing before cooking can be a nice way. There’re many ways of killing a lobster. When you kill it before cooking, you will be able to boil, steam, bake or cook in another way.
Freeze the lobster by putting it in the freezer for 30 minutes to 60 minutes before placing it headfirst into the boiling water. Also, a quick way is to plunge the knife down to the carapace.
Many people prefer both methods. They freeze the lobster first, then plunge the knife into it. At the same time, others prefer sedating the lobster without freezing.
Apart from freezing, you can also desensitize it by putting it in a huge pot in the sink. Then start filling it with cold water from the tap. Gradually increase the tap water until it becomes very hot. Then, you can use a knife to dispatch your lobster.
How are lobsters boiled alive?
There are various ways to boil a live lobster. But ensure that you kill it in a humane way. We all know that killing an animal at home can be uncomfortable for lots of people. However, there are some ways you can do it without actually making you feel uncomfortable.
But before you start boiling the lobster, it is worth knowing about one point. And that is, how to kill. This is often done just like the crayfish, by dipping it into boiling water. But this method is considered inhumane. There is a great alternative you can use to reduce the pain a lobster may go through. Do not just drop the lobster in boiling water. Here are the best ways to go about it;
1. Place the lobster in the freezer for half an hour. The lobster will fall into a numb state and stop moving.
2. With a sharp knife, press the tip on the center of the head, pressing down so that it goes right through, killing it instantly.
After that, you can safely start cutting or leaving it intact. To properly cut the lobster, turn it over on its back, carefully separate the claws, and use a knife to remove the cut into pieces.
Lobsters can also experience pain even after they have been chopped and diced. We don’t know exactly how their nervous system works, and we just know that they are uncomfortable when exposed to painful stimuli. Cutting their head in half doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t experience pain afterward. It is advisable to put him in a dormant state. Freeze the lobster before you start boiling it. This is the best way you can boil a live lobster. It is not considered inhumane.
How to boil lobsters
1. Pour cold water into a large saucepan – 15-19 liters for 3-4 kilograms of lobsters.
2. Add salt to the water. It can be a couple of tablespoons of salt.
3. Optionally add a few bay leaves, a sprig of thyme, or the juice of one lemon to the water for flavor.
4. Place a saucepan with salted water over high heat and wait until the water boils properly.
5. Take the lobster by the back with tongs and lower it into boiling water headfirst. Add all the lobsters as soon as possible, if there are several.
6. Cover the saucepan with the lid, and set the time. Boil the lobster based on weight.
Lobster is one of the most expensive dishes on the restaurant menu. Normally, it is prepared as a main dish and used in soups, salads, and other dishes. Besides, they have excellent taste. It is very easy to recognize this crustacean. First of all, these are creatures with large sizes, large claws, and fan-shaped tails. Tender meat is hidden under the shell, which is a real delicacy. But to get the true taste of a lobster, you need to choose and cook it correctly.
Conclusion
Lobsters are cooked alive to prevent toxins from multiplying. Besides, when bought, ensure that it is alive to kill it yourself and cook immediately. The lobster should not stay long before being cooked.
