Tickling Lobster !free!
: Spiny lobsters have been known to "talk" to one another by releasing chemical signals (essentially pheromones in their urine) to warn others of danger or attract mates. 4. The "Sleep" Phenomenon
The "tough meat" theory suggests that when a lobster is plunged violently into boiling water, the immediate trauma causes the tail to contract violently. This contraction can snap the muscle fibers and retain lactic acid or adrenaline, which may alter the flavor profile. Chefs who advocate for the tickling method claim that a lobster allowed to "relax" before dispatching retains a sweeter, more delicate texture. tickling lobster
Spiny lobsters (unfortunately, Maine lobsters with big claws are rarely caught this way; this refers to the clawless Spiny or Rock lobster) spend their days hiding in deep coral crevices, rock piles, and artificial reefs to avoid predators [citation:10]. "Tickling" is the act of using a long, thin rod to gently tap the lobster’s tail. This tapping triggers the lobster’s natural escape mechanism: instead of retreating deeper into the hole, it walks forward (or backwards, depending on the species/technique) out into open water, where the diver can catch it [citation:6][citation:7]. : Spiny lobsters have been known to "talk"
If you decide to try tickling for lobster, keep these critical rules in mind: This contraction can snap the muscle fibers and
Do not chase the lobster from the front. Approach the hole quietly (lobsters detect vibrations). Place your hoop net at one end of the opening or at the "front door" of the crevice where you want the lobster to exit [citation:4].
: When a lobster feels a gentle touch behind its tail, its natural instinct is to move forward to escape what it perceives as a predator.
The preferred technique among professional chefs (championed by figures like Julia Child and Gordon Ramsay) involves placing the tip of a chef’s knife at the intersection of the cross on the lobster’s head and driving it down through the head and then down through the body. This severs the nerve centers immediately, resulting in an instant death.