Handling seafood
Following the proper procedure in handling our superb, individually quick frozen Cuban lobster tails is essential to avoid blackening, a condition know as melanosis, and mushy meat. This is caused by an enzyme, not bacteria as many people think, and is not harmful to the consumer. It does, however, result in an unattractive presentation which reduces customer satisfaction.
Quality
Handling Frozen Seafood
Following the proper procedure in handling our superb, individually quick frozen Cuban lobster tails is essential to avoid blackening, a condition know as melanosis, and mushy meat. This is caused by an enzyme, not bacteria as many people think, and is not harmful to the consumer. It does, however, result in an unattractive presentation which reduces customer satisfaction.
Simple prevention
The enzymatic process begins when thawing permits the temperature to rise above -20 Celsius and the product is exposed to air for a long periods resulting in oxidation.
Proper handling procedures at the preparation level, to eliminate this problem, follows the recommendation of Gilberto Smith Duquesne, renowned Cuban International Consultant Chef.
- Thaw lobster tails in cold water adding lemon or lime juice (1/2 cup of concentrate) to the water. Adding the citrus juice is important to overcome the oxidizing effect of the chlorine in tap water.
- When the product is thawed, split the shells open and cover the tails in their trays with a marinade of lemon or lime juice, white pepper, salt and vegetable oil.
- Wrap the trays in plastic wrap and refrigerate until time of cooking. It is critically important to keep the lobsters refrigerated at the lowest possible temperature until cooking. Following this procedure should preserve quality for at least 48 hours without melanosis (blackening) or enzymatic activity resulting in mushy meat.
This marinade will also reduce cooking time by half.
Every cares has been taken to deliver this delectable, gourmet product to your hands. Careful handling and cooking will ensure good results and ultimately provide for a happy clientele.
