Maine Lobsters, a delicacy of the Northeast, were surprisingly labeled as “poverty food” in the 17th century. In 1622, the negative stigma of lobster was simply explained when William Bradford, owner of the Plymouth Plantation, wrote to apologize to his guests for only being able to offer them lobsters and not bread or fresh water.
Due to the surplus of this “poverty food,” prisoners and indentured servants, those who traded seven years of work for transportation to the New World, were given lobsters for most of their meals. The indentured servants became so upset with the amount of lobster they were given that they negotiated that they couldn’t receive Lobster as a ration more than three times a week.
However, in the 19th century, the demand for lobsters began increasing in local cities like Boston and New York City, which helped shellfish grow a positive reputation. Trains, planes, and canning improvements helped to spread Maine lobster to the West Coast.
Fun Fact-The lobster has unusual anatomy. Its brain is in its throat, its nervous system in its abdomen, teeth in its stomach, and kidneys in its head. It also hears using its legs and tastes with its feet.
Even though now they are considered a rich and decadent food, lobster meat contains fewer calories than an equal portion of skinless chicken breast. It also boasts healthy omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and vitamins E, B-12, and B-6.
Toddy, you can find this sweet and tender cold-water lobster in delicious recipes all over the world. Adelphia’s offers our Maine Lobster Salad, Lobster Mac N Cheese, or Lobster Bisque are all worth a try at one of our three retail locations!
Additionally, to celebrate the beginning of June we have our 5-6 oz. Maine Lobster tails on sale for $14 each until 6/4/2023!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to indulge in one of the most delicious and historically significant seafood delicacies.
You can find a few of our favorite recipes below:
How to Butterfly and Cook Lobster Tails | Holiday Recipes – YouTube
Lobster Baja style grilled tails (adelphiaseafood.com)
Lobster Newburg (adelphiaseafood.com)
Additional information on the history of the Maine Lobsters:
GuideToLobstering2019.pdf (maine.gov)
The Story of Maine Lobster, From Prison Food to Delicacy (theculturetrip.com)