How to Crack and Eat a Lobster

By Guest Blogger: Carol Bory, Carol Bory Etiquette Consulting

The most frequent question I receive at my dining etiquette workshops is how to crack a lobster. For the adventurous ones, below are step-by-step instructions.

I also found a very good video of a chef demonstrating how to crack a lobster. Click on the lobster image to the right to view the video.

1. Place the lobster shell-side down.

2. Separate the tail from the body by bending the lobster backwards and twisting the tail.

3. Place a fork in the tail meat and tightly pull the meat from the shell. This will require a little force. Remove the black vein from the top of the tail and discard it along with the shells in a separate bowl. Cut the lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.

4. Twist off the claws at the joints and crack the claw shell using a lobster cracker. This may require using the lobster cracker a few times before you can extract the meat. Remove the meat from the shell by using a lobster fork or your fingers. Again, place the claw shell in a separate bowl. Cut the lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.

5. Tear off the legs and suck out the meat if you choose. Discard the shells.

6. Place the body shell-side down and pull the shell outwards separating the meat from the shell. Discard the shell in a separate bowl. Using a fork remove the tomalley, the green liver, from the round pockets. For some, the tomalley is considered a delicacy; others do not care for the taste. Cut the remaining lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.

Carol Bory is a certified etiquette consultant based in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit her website at www.carolbory.com.