I was unsure if there was a thread already about lobster, so I thought I would start one.

I have always loved lobster. A big plate of Maine lobster tails is one of the best meals I have ever had. But recently, I have begun questioning whether or not it is humane to actually eat lobster.

Think about it, you're dropping a LIVING CREATURE into a pot of boiling water, and boiling it alive. Seems a bit inhumane to me.

Then I started hearing rumors that lobster actually SCREAM when dropped into the boiling water. Now I've done some research, and scientists hold that it is impossible for a lobster to scream, as they have no vocal chords, and that if there is any noise coming from a lobster during the boiling process, it is most like air escaping its stomach through its mouth parts. Scientists also suggest that lobsters don't possess enough nerve endings to even feel the pain that boiling would cause.

Fair enough, but I figured in this day and age of computers and internet and YouTube, there has to be a video out there somewhere that can settle this dispute one and for all.

Well I found a video, and I was shocked by what I saw and heard. Scientists can say what they want, but the proof is in the pudding. The screaming is barely audible over the boiling, but clear enough as long as the volume is up loud enough. I'll let you decide for yourselves:

i've killed thousands in my life, somebody call peta! if you think its inhumane, don't eat them.

I encourage you to watch the video I attached. You may change your mind...

that water wasn't even boiling, maybe those dopes should learn the basics. another simple solution for those of you who feel its cruel: take a chefs knife and split its head right before cooking. if you go this route though, make sure to cook it right after inflicting the coup de grace, because if you wait some lobsters release some kind of enzyme or something that can lead to the meat having the texture of baby food, this has happened to me on more than one occasion.

I watched it. It didn't change my mind, but there's a certain Californian I'd like to boil now.

Lobsters are big cockroaches. They sure do taste good though.

Doesn't bother me one bit. I've been around the water all my life. Grew up in restaurants my whole life. Like FF, I've probably killed a thousand lobsters. Now granted, I usually just split them through the brain stem with a chef's knife, especially if I'm making fra diavlo. But dropping them in a pot of boiling water never bothered me one bit. God put animals and fish on this earth for us to eat. And that's just what I'm going to do.

Oh, by the way. If you really want to have some fun, find a video of a veal slaughterhouse. Doesn't do anything to me but put me in the mood for piccata. Yummy.

Yeah, I just posted that, FF. I started typing it before you posted this .

My initial post obviously didn't have the effect I intended (it was meant as a joke, hence the screaming Linda Blair at the end.) I just noticed the scream wasn't that loud though, which is a bummer

Fail for me!

On the plus side, I love lobster!

I did a whole lobster themed New Year's last year. I made lobster bisque and followed it up with lobster mac and cheese. It was delicious. However, I have to admit to making my husband put them in the pot. My job is to stand next to it with the cover in my hand and slam it down as soon as he gets them in.

I have eaten them in restaurants but never at home so have never had to throw one in the pot. Don't think it would bother me if i had to though....

That sounds scrumpdiliumous . So you suffocated them? "Why they crying please dont drown me, please dont't eat me.

One of the greatest things you can eat. Unfortunately, with a son living in New England, I have become totally spoiled on "labstah." They are at their best in the summertime when the shells are soft..and when they weigh a pound and a half or less. They should be no more than one day from the ocean. You can eat two or three at a sitting, and they are sweet, tender, and so much better than fresh lobster any other time of year, and especially if it is shipped elsewhere in the country, that there is really no comparison. Here in fla., if I eat a "fresh" lobster in say February, and I think it is good, I know I have to get back to New England in the summer to eat the real thing!

PS for some reason there are more lobsters around than there have been in years, and the price is lower than it used to be!

You're absolutely right about a fresh New England lobster in summer. I plan to be in Boston in August, and will stop by the Union Oyster House for a bag of steamers and a lobster.

I am jealous!

while summertime may be the best time to enjoy them, the best lobsters are without a doubt the hardshell varieties, from the deepest coldest waters, be it maine, nova scotia ect. the meat from coldwater hardhell lobsters has a much sweeter taste, as well as a firmer texture. on top of that, you get more bang for your buck when buying hardshells. lobsters with a softer shell are much more pourous, and as a result you are paying for about 15-20% more water weight when purchasing them.

I've always heard that the best seafood in the US comes from Maine, especially the crab meat no idea if it's true though.

I used to work for a company headquartered in Glastonbury, CT (near Hartford) and there was a small pub near the office that had a $5 lobster special (this was in the 1980s). It was a must any time we had to go up there for a meeting.

My brother has a summer house in Cape Cod, and we've had some of the best lobsters there. However, they are not inexpensive, even when we've bought them and cooked them at home.

The price skyrocketed, but in the last few years has dropped. I was in New England three weeks ago and it was quite reasonable.

How dare you talk about TIS that way! She's never done anything to you!

Nah... the Californian I want to boil moved there from one of the "M" states.

Wait a second.... TIS is from Grand Rapids. Hmmmm ... could it be TIS that I want to boil?

Did you use to write cookbooks?

I had my lobster dinner in Boston last week, not at the Union Oyster House, but at Skipjack's in Back Bay. I paired it with delicious lobster bisque for the full experience.

Lobstah in New England this time of year...it doesn't get better.

Best Lobster in New York is at F.ili Ponte Restaurant. try the Lobster Arrabiata! Expensive, but good! They are rennovating the joint now, should hopefully reopen soon! Owned by Angelo Ponte with the Genovese.

I could kick myself in the ass. Years ago I wouldn't eat seafood except shrimp cocktail. We spent two weeks in New England (In the summer) and all over Maine. My cousins, wife and 2 daughters ate lobster twice a day while I just ate steak or burgers. I have now developed a taste for lobster but don't get much around here. Need to go back to Maine.

Wow, I wonder how many boiled crawfish and crabs I have killed in my time down here in Louisiana.....They still tasted GREAT!!

I love lobster eat it all the time. I'm surprised PETA isn't banging down my door screaming at me how inhumane it is. Thank God because I could care less about what PETA says.