Why can't you eat a Lobster that has died before you've put it in boiling water?

Question

OK, to make things a little clearer (sorry its my first post)...

Lets say you order a Lobster fresh from the tank (its alive). I've been told that if the Lobster dies or you kill it before its submerged in boiling water, then you can't eat it... Restaurants will not serve you Lobster unless it was submerged into boiling water while being alive...

And is it true that Lobsters scream/squeal/whatever when they are put in boiling water??? I know I would... LOL

Answer 1

Wikipedia says it is simply because the meat will become tougher to eat (texture). Once dead you have to freeze the meat, this makes it harder to cook properly. Live is the best way to get tender, juicy lobster.

Answer 2

The "poison" thing is just an old wive's tale ... well, maybe a "young woman you've been shacking up with tale", but still based on nothing but rumor.
You can certainly eat a lobster that expires before it goes into the pot. Cooking it properly will kill any bacteria (and must be done, even if the crustacean went into the pot kicking and screaming), and there are no mysterious "lobster poisons" released by the critter's alleged brain (which, by the way, is a cluster of nerves about as big as a pencil lead).
If it died at some unknown time in the past, give it a miss, because shellfish will go bad pretty quickly, but if you bought it live and it died on the way home, have no fear ... it'll just be easier to get into the boiling water, is all.

Answer 3

Because you don't know the cause of death - although one would think that all dangerous micro organisms would be killed when boiled, wouldn't you?

It is actually a very good question! Aside from freshness and taste, perhaps there is nothing biologically wrong with it as long as it is boiled to an internal temperature of 180 degrees or more. Except perhaps that it might taste like crap and that you may be eating boiled parasites when you crack the claws - not too appetizing (are maggots or other parasites poisonous if boiled???)!

Answer 4

You can't eat a lobster that has died before it went into boiling water because of something that has to do with it spoiling or bad meat or something like that.

Answer 5

When a lobster dies, its brain releases poison through its body, That is the only part of a lobster that is poisonous, but hot water kills the lobster almost immediatly, and the poison isn't expelled

Answer 6

I don't know why, but shellfish like lobster, crab, clams, and mussels have to be alive. I know a crab can be killed right before you cook it, and lobster probably can be, too. It might have to do with them being bottom feeders (they eat dead stuff), maybe what they eat will start to rot when they die?

Answer 7

you should put it in the fridge while still Alvie this cause the lobster to become uncoils LEAVE IT IN THERE FOR ABOUT 25 MIN'S AND THEN PUT IT IN THE WATER IT DOSE NOT FELL A THING IT IS THE HUMAN WAY OF KILLING THE LOBSTER

Answer 8

Lobster Death

Answer 9

Once it dies it is almost instantly inedible due to some type of substance it produces upon death.

Answer 10

Usually humans only eat meat after its been cooked.