How to Tell If a Lobster Is Fresh: What to Look For
When you're buying lobster, freshness matters.
For many people ordering live lobster online for the first time, one of the biggest questions is simple: how do I know my lobster is fresh when it arrives?
One of the advantages of buying live Welsh lobster is that the lobster arrives alive rather than already cooked and sitting on a supermarket shelf.
At Tenby Lobster Co., our lobster is sourced from the Pembrokeshire coast, carefully packed and delivered to customers across mainland UK.
Here's what to look for when your lobster arrives.
How Can You Tell If a Live Lobster Is Fresh?
The most obvious sign is that the lobster is alive and responsive.
A live lobster may move its legs, antennae or claws when handled. Some lobsters will be noticeably active, while others can appear much quieter after being kept cool during transportation.
Cool temperatures naturally slow a lobster's movement, so a lobster that isn't moving vigorously isn't necessarily a cause for concern.
Give it a little time in the appropriate cool conditions and check carefully for signs of movement.
Should a Live Lobster Be Moving When It Arrives?
You should look for signs of life, but don't expect every lobster to be extremely active immediately after opening the box.
Because live lobster is transported chilled, its activity can be reduced.
Look closely at the antennae, small legs and mouthparts for movement.
Once your delivery arrives, follow our Lobster Care instructions for handling and storing your lobster correctly.
What Should Fresh Lobster Smell Like?
Fresh live lobster should have a clean, mild marine smell.
It shouldn't have an overpowering unpleasant or rotten odour.
Seafood naturally has a scent, but there is a significant difference between a clean smell of the sea and a strong unpleasant smell associated with deterioration.
What Should a Healthy Live Lobster Look Like?
Live lobster shells can vary considerably in appearance.
Before cooking, European lobsters aren't normally the bright red colour most people associate with cooked lobster. Their shells can appear dark blue, blue-black, brownish or mottled.
The familiar red colour develops during cooking.
Don't judge freshness simply by the precise colour of the shell. Movement and condition are much more useful indicators.
Why Does My Lobster Look Sleepy?
This is a common concern when receiving live lobster by courier.
Lobsters are cold-blooded animals, and cooler temperatures reduce their activity.
Because live lobster needs to be transported cool, it may appear relatively sluggish when you first open the packaging.
That doesn't automatically mean there's anything wrong with it.
What Should I Do When My Lobster Delivery Arrives?
Open the package promptly and inspect your lobster.
Don't leave a live seafood delivery unopened somewhere warm.
If you aren't cooking immediately, store your lobster correctly and follow the care instructions supplied with your order.
Our How to Store Live Lobster Before Cooking guide explains what to do between delivery and cooking.
You can also read our Live Welsh Lobster Delivery UK page before ordering so you know what to expect.
Can You Keep Live Lobster in Water?
Don't place a marine lobster in fresh tap water.
Fresh water isn't an appropriate environment for a saltwater lobster.
You also shouldn't attempt to recreate a seawater tank at home simply to store a lobster for a short period.
For home storage, follow the refrigeration and moisture guidance provided with your order and on our Lobster Care page.
When Should I Cook My Lobster?
Live lobster is a highly perishable product, so it's best to plan your delivery around when you intend to cook it.
Don't order lobster and then leave it unnecessarily for several days.
Selecting your delivery date around your meal means the lobster can arrive close to when you intend to prepare it.
This is particularly useful when planning birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas dinners or dinner parties.
For larger occasions, read How to Plan the Perfect Lobster Dinner Party.
How Can You Tell When Lobster Is Cooked?
The shell of a cooked lobster becomes bright red, while the meat should become opaque rather than translucent.
Cooking times vary according to the size of the lobster, so don't assume every lobster requires exactly the same cooking time.
Our How to Cook a Whole Lobster at Home guide takes you through the process.
Once cooked, our How to Crack and Eat a Whole Lobster guide will help you get to the meat in the claws, tail and body.
Does Buying Live Lobster Make a Difference?
For customers who want to prepare whole lobster at home, buying it live means you can cook it yourself rather than purchasing lobster that has already been cooked.
It also gives you control over how you prepare and serve your meal.
You might keep things simple with lemon and seasonal sides or prepare something richer using our Garlic Butter Lobster Recipe.
Fresh Welsh Lobster from Pembrokeshire
Provenance is an important part of what we do at Tenby Lobster Co.
Our business is rooted in Pembrokeshire and the seafood found along this remarkable stretch of Welsh coastline.
You can learn more in Welsh Lobster: What Makes Pembrokeshire Lobster Special? and read the story behind the business on Our Story.
Order Live Welsh Lobster Online
Whether you're buying lobster for two or feeding a larger group, we offer a choice of lobster boxes.
The Coastal Duo contains two live lobsters, while The Tenby Signature, The Pembrokeshire Luxe and The Pembrokeshire Grand provide options for larger meals.
Not sure how many you need? Read How Much Lobster Do You Need Per Person? before ordering.
You can then browse our live Welsh lobster collection and arrange delivery for your chosen date.
From the Pembrokeshire coast to your table.
Live • Local • Exceptional.