Whats the difference between a hard-shell lobster and a soft-shell lobster?
Lobsters “molt”, shedding their shells so that they can have room for growth the following year. This shedding usually occurs during July, revealing a new, soft shell underneath, thus the term “soft-shell”. The new shell will harden over time and as the ocean water gets colder. A lobster that has shed its shell has less meat inside than a hard-shell lobster of the same size. This also accounts for the lower prices for soft-shell lobsters. Although there is less meat in a soft-shell lobster, many people prefer the taste of soft-shell lobster meat, considering it to be sweeter and more tender.
