Lobster
Homarus Americanus. Gourmet Chef Packers uses only this Canadian North Atlantic Lobster. It is known by many names including: Atlantic Lobster, American Lobster, Canadian Reds, Northern Lobster and Maine Lobster
Hard Shell, Soft Shell
A lobster moults (sheds its shell) in order to grow. The new shell is soft, and remains so for a time as the lobster grows into it.. A hard shelled lobster is one whose shell has fully hardened after moulting. Hard shells yield 50 to 60% more meat. During moulting the lobster loses nutrients and absorbs water, hence hard shell meat is firmer and tastier. Canadian lobster fishing seasons are timed to avoid the moulting period.
Lobster Sizes
• Canner – a small lobster, weighing 175 g to 450 g (approx. 1/2 to 1 lb)
• Market – lobster weighing 450 g to 1.5 kg (1 to 3 lb)
• Jumbo – whole lobster weighing more than 1.4 kg (3 lb)
• Select – lobster weighing 908 g to 1,13 kg (2 to 2.49 lb)
• Chix (Chickens) – lobster weighing approximately 450 g (1 lb)
• Cull – a lobster with one or no claws. Normally sold at a lower price.
• Halves – lobster weighing 681 g to 790 g (1.5 to 1.74 lb)
• Quarters – lobster weighing 568 g to 676 g (1.25 to less than 1.5 lb)
Freezing
Gourmet Chef Packers offers many different freezing modes.
Gas Freezing
Nitrogen (-195.8 °C) or Carbon Dioxide (-78.5 °C) are used. Gas freezing is very quick, does not change taste or texture and is non drip. A complex process requiring specially trained technicians, it is best used for sashimi type products and splits and tails. Followed by protective glazing.
Brine Freezing
Freezing by immersion in super cold brine. Slightly less fast than gas freezing; leaves a slight salty taste; used mainly for whole lobster
products. Followed by protective glazing.
Plate Freezing
Meat is frozen between cold metal plates. This process is best for meat and prepared shapes such as cubes.
Blast Freezing
Meat is frozen in a blast of cold air. Low cost process, does not change taste but causes dripping.
Preparation Styles
Gourmet Chef Packers supplies lobster in a choice of raw, blanched or cooked.
