Why do hard-shell lobsters require a longer cooking time than soft-shell lobsters?
Answer
The fully calcified shells act as a natural insulator, requiring more time for heat transmission.
Lobsters exhibit significant variation in cooking requirements based on their molting stage, specifically relating to their shell hardness. Hard-shell lobsters possess fully calcified shells which function effectively as thermal insulators. This insulating layer slows down the rate at which heat energy can penetrate from the cooking medium to the muscle tissue inside, necessitating a longer overall cooking duration to reach the target internal temperature compared to their soft-shell counterparts.
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