Lobsters and crabs cooked in boiling water feel no pain.

[Noel Johnson]

Is that why you can never wear hats Janos?

[Tonto]

Originally Posted by Lou

As I understand it, it is more common for crabs to be dead before cooking than lobsters - why is this?

Lou

I think they jettison their claws, making them unattractive to eat, It makes one wonder how they know this?

[wreckweasel]

Nah, crabs should be cooked in water that starts off cold/cool and is brought to the boil. Why?

1. They have airspaces in their carapace, which can expand if immersed into boilling water, possibly explosively. (makes a mess and spoils the meat)
2. The theory that they gradually goto sleep (I've seen no evidence of this)
3. They can jettison their claws (this is normally a defense mechanism if they're trapped by an appeandage, they dump it to escape).



/Zak (lobster boiler extraordinaire)

[Woz]

What about prawns then. We eat zillions of them, they are no higher in the class of '88 than a lobster when it comes to advanced calculus yet I don't see fishermen with tiny little knives gently jabbing each one as they get dropped into the boiler. Just 'cos a lobster is bigger doesn't mean it's cleverererer.

Woz (still suffering the ill effects of the heavy metals from a lobster taken off the Redcar Scars c.1991).

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by Lou

Okay, I'll bite!

Obviously paralysis ok for the parts of the body which are paralysed but still leaves pain receptors working in the upper regions.

But do they have pain receptors? The Norwegians don't seem to think so.

[tom]

John - looking at the news report in your link, the 'Norwegian' report looks like a literature review of some sort, rather than new empirical research. It doesn't appear to be anything new.

I believe there is other evidence that does suggest nociception (detection of 'pain'); so they do have pain receptors. This indicate they can experience sensations they are motivated to avoid. However whether the animal 'experiences' pain in the same was as a human is open to question (i.e. they can experience pain, but it may or may not 'hurt' them).

Unfortunately I don't have any references to hand, and most of the stuff web searches turn up is from the animal rights camp, so hardly objective.

[PW1664]

[quote] Prof Farstad said most invertebrates, including lobsters and crabs boiled alive, did not feel pain because, unlike mammals, they did not have a big brain to read the signals.[\quote]


Does this mean if someone is stupid, you can kick them ??

[troc]

[quote=PW1664]

Prof Farstad said most invertebrates, including lobsters and crabs boiled alive, did not feel pain because, unlike mammals, they did not have a big brain to read the signals.[\quote]


Does this mean if someone is stupid, you can kick them ??

Erm, dunno.....

OUCH!

Troc

[Bogwoppit]

Originally Posted by Lou

Okay, I'll bite!



As I understand it, it is more common for crabs to be dead before cooking than lobsters - why is this?

As a ex Chef I believe its down to making Lobster Bisque. A dead Lobster does not have the Pinky nerve running down its back which gives the Bisque its colour.

BTW It is usual to freeze the lobsters and then Put a skewar through its head before you boil it. Anyone that chucks em in live should swiftly follow them in my opinion.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Bogwoppit

As a ex Chef I believe its down to making Lobster Bisque. A dead Lobster does not have the Pinky nerve running down its back which gives the Bisque its colour.

BTW It is usual to freeze the lobsters and then Put a scewar through its head before you boil it. Anyone that chucks em in live should swiftly follow them in my opinion.

I don't throw stuff in live, but dead and unfrozen. However I might start using this method. How long do you cook your crabs and lobbies for if they are frozen to start with.

Laters,
Janos