For many people especially those hailing from New England’s rocky shores lobster is more than just a meal – it’s a culinary tradition. When I was growing up in Maine, it seemed we ate lobster at least once a week during peak season. I have fond memories of summertime clambakes with family and friends, mountains of bright red crustaceans piled high beside ears of sweet corn and new potatoes.
But before those lobsters could make it to our picnic tables, they had to meet their fate in a pot of boiling water. It always struck me as rather violent, the way they would thrash about as the heat slowly overtook them. I had heard rumors from old salts about a way to “put a lobster to sleep” before cooking, but I wasn’t sure if this was an actual technique or just an old fish tale. As it turns out, there are several legit methods for sedating a lobster before cooking. Let’s take a dive into the science behind this age-old practice.
Do Lobsters Actually Sleep?
To understand how to put a lobster to sleep, we first need to examine how lobsters sleep in their natural habitat. Unlike humans, lobsters do not experience true REM sleep with coordinated brain activity. This is likely because they lack a centralized brain. Rather, lobsters have a decentralized nervous system with nerve tissue distributed throughout their bodies.
Instead of REM sleep, lobsters exhibit periods of prolonged inactivity known as “quiescence.” During quiescence a lobster will find a sheltered nook or cranny to hunker down in. They become extremely still cease foraging for food, and are slow to respond to stimuli. Their metabolism also slows considerably. While not identical to human sleep, quiescence allows lobsters to rest and conserve energy.
Sedation Techniques for Pre-Cooking
There are a few ways we can induce a state of quiescence in a lobster before cooking. This sedation minimizes stress on the lobster and results in more tender, better tasting meat. Here are some common techniques
Cold Water Immersion
Immerging a lobster in cold saltwater is one of the simplest ways to sedate it. The cold temperature causes the lobster to enter a hibernation-like state, similar to quiescence. Simply place the lobster in a tub of cold seawater or cover with ice for 20-30 minutes before cooking. This slows both their metabolism and neurological functions.
Electrical Stunning
Specialized electric wands or prods can be used to stun a lobster in seconds by delivering a quick electrical current to their head. This disrupts their decentralized nervous system and renders them immobile and insensate. Many larger seafood companies use electric stunning devices for efficiency when processing large batches of lobsters.
CO2 Stunning
Exposing lobsters to carbon dioxide gas also disrupts their nervous system rapidly. CO2 reacts with the lobster’s body fluids, altering their pH. Devices that deliver a quick blast of CO2 can be used to quickly and humanely stun lobsters before cooking.
Chilling with Chamomile
Believe it or not, some cooks claim a strong chamomile tea bath can have a sedative effect on lobsters. While not very scientifically proven, some swear by this old culinary school trick for mellowing out crustaceans before the pot. The aroma and compounds from chamomile may have a mild relaxing effect.
The Controversial Practice of Hypnosis
Of all the lobster sedation techniques, none is more shrouded in mystery and debate than so-called “hypnosis”. Supposedly, gently stroking a lobster’s carapace in a downward motion along their head and body can induce a trance-like state. Many liken this to lightly petting a dog or cat to sleep. Does lobster hypnosis really work? The jury is still out.
There is no scientific evidence lobsters can be hypnotized in the way humans experience hypnosis. With their simpler nervous systems, inducing a hypnotic trance seems unlikely. However, the sensation of stroking may flood their senses with stimuli that could potentially have a pacifying effect. At the very least, proper handling reduces stress. Personally, I remain skeptical but open-minded.
Ensuring Humane Treatment
Whenever pre-cooking sedation is used, it is vital the lobster is monitored and not left for extended periods. While these techniques minimize pain and stress, keeping any animal totally unconscious for too long can be inhumane. Any sedation method should be applied just before cooking, not the night before!
It is also crucial not to undercook or improperly cook a sedated lobster. They cannot signal pain or distress once stunned. Be sure they reach an internal temperature of 140°F throughout before serving. When handled with care, sedation can make cooking lobster more humane while preserving that sweet, succulent meat we all love.
Lobster Sedation in Professional Kitchens
For restaurants and seafood processors, effective lobster sedation is a must for both ethics and food quality. That’s why many chefs are switching from simply boiling lobsters alive to more humane pre-cooking methods. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey made waves by banning boiling lobsters alive in all his restaurants. Instead, he stuns them swiftly with a spike through the brain before cooking.
High-volume seafood processors often use electric or CO2 stunning devices to sedate lobsters by the dozen. This allows them to meet rising demand for humanely harvested seafood. Many discerning consumers and animal rights groups now consider proper sedation and killing techniques as marks of an ethical kitchen.
Putting Your Lobster to Sleep: Step-by-Step
Want to try these pre-cooking sedation techniques at home? Here is a quick step-by-step guide:
Supplies Needed
- Live lobster
- Large container or cooler filled with cold seawater or ice
- Optional: chamomile tea bags, electric stunning device, or CO2 stunning device
Steps
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Prepare sedation method of choice. For cold water immersion, fill container with ice water and several tablespoons of salt. For chamomile, steep 5-6 tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes then cool.
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Hold the live lobster firmly at the base of the claws and tail to avoid getting pinched or scratched.
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Lower lobster headfirst into sedation medium and monitor for 20-30 minutes until sedated.
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Check that lobster is unresponsive by lightly touching claws or tail.
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Once sedated, quickly dispatch lobster with a sharp knife or proceed with cooking method of choice.
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Cook lobster fully to an internal temperature of 140°F. Do not eat undercooked lobster.
With a little preparation and care, you can indulge in delicious lobster while sparing them undue suffering. Sedate, cook, and eat your lobster with confidence knowing it was given the most humane treatment possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of putting a lobster to sleep?
Sedating lobsters before cooking is done primarily for two reasons: first, to minimize any pain and distress to the animal as an ethical obligation. Secondly, proper sedation helps relax the meat and results in superior taste and texture.
How do I put a lobster to sleep?
The most common DIY methods are cold water immersion and chamomile tea. Simply submerge the lobster in very cold saltwater or brewed chamomile for 20-30 minutes until sedated. More advanced techniques like electrical stunning require special equipment.
How long does it take to put a lobster to sleep?
Depending on the size of the lobster and water temperature, full sedation can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes using cold water or chamomile tea. Methods like electrical stunning or CO2 are nearly instant.
Can I use other methods to put a lobster to sleep?
While other approaches like alcohol or freezing are sometimes suggested, these can be imprecise, unsafe for consumption, or inhumane if not done properly. Cold water and tea are the best at-home options.
Is putting a lobster to sleep humane?
Sedation minimizes pain, fear, and distress in the lobster as compared to simply boiling alive, so done properly, pre-cook sedation is considered much more humane. It’s crucial to monitor sedation and cook fully afterwards.
Can I put a lobster to sleep for an extended period?
Lobsters should not be kept in a sedated state for more than 30 minutes to 1 hour max before cooking. Extended sedation can lead to physiological stress, muscle deterioration, and increased susceptibility to disease.
What are the benefits of putting a lobster to sleep?
Sedation leads to more relaxed meat, superior flavor and texture, easier handling, and reduced anxiety and suffering for the animal. For the cook and the crustacean, it’s a winning proposition!
It’s wicked easy, and kids love the trick.
I remember being shown the trick when I was a kid. I thought it was so neat that you could basically take this thrashy claw machine, and render it completely motionless. So as an adult cooking bugs for a living, I started putting them to sleep. Its actually super easy.
In a nutshell, you tip the lobster up on its nose, almost upside down, but its being balanced on the other end by its tail. I just gently stroke the top part of its “nose”, which is that spine that runs along its head, above its eyes. Some people will tell you that you have to hum to the lobster to make it work, but Ive never done that at work. Definitely do it for the kids though, it adds to the mystery of the trick.
Since its hard to describe in words, I figure its easier of you just check out this video from Jacob Knowles. Hes a Maine lobsterman on YouTube with toooooons of followers. He does the humming thing, but I assure you that you dont have to. But again, for the kids… Go for it! Scope the video…
For the love of god though, dont do these things…
I don’t remember the first time I had lobster.
Weve been eating lobster in my family forever. I dont remember a time when we didnt. In fact, I remember one summer when it was super cheap, I actually asked my mother if we could have something else because wed had it so much. Not that I was sick of it per se, but Id definitely had my fill by that point. Like, just gimme a burger already, hahaha.
Its funny though, after years in the restaurant business, I became a bit more empathetic about the inevitable plight of the lobster. While I understand that their nervous system is so primitive they dont really feel any pain when cooked, I still just felt awkward throwing live lobsters right into the boiling water. So I started putting them to sleep.
