When it comes to eating lobster at home, there are a few important things to keep in mind. They are the ultimate escape artist," he says. Young and juvenile lobsters can be found around coastal seaweed and rocky areas to avoid predators while adult lobsters migrate to deeper offshore areas. This is why some lobster shells will be so hard and thick, while others are almost pliable. New England's mail order Here is a Map Showing each of their habitats. Lets begin! The important thing is that they have differences in the taste of lobster meat. The Rock lobster, only available as tails, can be interchanged with Maine Lobster in recipes, but the meat, although similar, is generally coarser, dryer, and less flavorful. Refrigerate for 2 hours. They use these antennae to create a rasping sound, rubbing them together like a plectrum and file to ward off threats, similar to some insects. Maine lobsters, on the other hand, inhabit the Western Atlantic Coast of North America, from Canada to North Carolina. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Next, find the claws. So put your bib on and get ready to crack into these tips. . Thats rightspiny lobsters dont have claws! Unlike Hannibal, we recommend pairing this delicacy with a dry ros and not chianti. Youll likely find rock lobster also called spiny lobster. For reasons known only to people from Northeastern American States, they claim that having claws makes their lobsters the best tasting lobsters in the world and that all oth. They are widely prized and valued because of their delicious claw meat, but their taste varies due to the respective habitats they live in. Should be pretty easy to tell the difference between Maine Lobster and Spiny Lobster now. You will generally boil lobster for 7 minutes for the first pound, and another 3 or so minutes for each additional pound. Rudie estimates that 95 percent of his lobsters are currently shipped to China. The key differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are appearance, size, habitat, taste, and lifespan. Well, youve come to the right place. Live lobsters, lobster tails and frozen meat packs. Spiny lobsters have very little meat and are smaller than Northern lobsters. Theres plenty on the menu, but be sure to catch some lobster while youre there. While it's perfectly fine to substitute spiny lobster for Maine lobster, Oceanfood Sales Limitedsuggests that some find spiny lobster meat less succulent and tender than Maine lobster. The lobster image that comes to mind for most people is the hard-shelled, giant-clawed, long-tailed sea creature that's often depicted as bright red-orange in color. two to three 1-2 lb Caribbean lobsters (or tails) halved and cleaned. Maine lobsters generally taste better and hold more meat compared to the slightly less-inspiring and usually smaller meat from Florida lobsters. The key differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are their claws and antennae. In 2015, that price skyrocketed to close to $30. Lobster Size. Here I am, eating seafood from California in California that most Californians rarely get the chance to eat. It is estimated that up to 95 percent of all commercially caught lobster is shipped to China. Lobster season in the Caribbean is one of the best times to find yourself in the West Indies. That is to say, relaxed, friendly, and quick with a rum punch. Seems pretty straight forward right? Maine lobster is caught off the coast of New England in the Atlantic Ocean. Maine lobsters, on the other hand, inhabit the Western Atlantic Coast of North America, from Canada to North Carolina. Why do people choose Maine lobster vs other lobster? Read on to learn the differences between Maine lobster and some other popular lobsters, as well as why Maine lobster is the best lobster! 1. Spiny lobsters, also known as langustas, langouste, or rock lobsters, are a family (Palinuridae) of about 60 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda Reptantia.Spiny lobsters are also, especially in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and The Bahamas, called crayfish, sea crayfish, or crawfish ("kreef" in South Africa), terms which elsewhere are reserved for freshwater crayfish. There are about 60 Species of spiny Lobster. Excited, I threw my hand inside the crevice and only managed to touch the antennas before the red creature burrowed itself deep underneath the rock. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saut pan over medium heat. The Australian lobster tail weighs about eight to ten ounces. Overnight delivery. It depends on whether or not they are molting, and what stage they are at. The key differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are appearance, size, habitat, taste, and lifespan. You should think about them for your next meal because they both have a sweet and highly flavored briny taste. A spiny lobster is any lobster in the family Palinuridae, which includes at least 60 species. You can do this by looking for a firm texture and a vibrant color. Now that your lobster is ready, your table is covered with newspapers, and youve got your clarified butter (and maybe your Saltines! If you want lobster to be a small part of a larger dish, theyll work well. Rock Lobster vs Maine Lobster: Whats in a Name? Lobster are also referred to as "bugs" in the lobster diving world. Thank you ! The important thing is that they have differences in the taste of lobster meat. So, thanks to his relationships with the commercial fishery in the area, he flies home with a planeful of lobsterstheir long antennae waving in the air. Last updated by Patrick Bennett on 09/26/2022. Commonly-used names include the rock lobster, langouste, or langusta. Lobster are cannibals. Instead of having big front claws, warm water lobster comes with a front set of legs that look like an oversized antenna. However, there are a few that are more common than others. Some may possess a blue shell when born. Maine lobster is so irresistible they cant help but pull an occasional Hannibal Lecter. Lobster is known for being delicious, but which type is better and whats the difference? The Maine lobster gets its rich flavor from the cold, mineral-rich waters of the Gulf of Maine. 95% of them are shipped to China, as that market fetches up to 3X more than local customers. You can do this by cutting down the center of the underneath part of the tail. Belfast offers several lobster cruises on lobster boats where you can also eat lobster rolls! The star of the show was a spiny lobster all . On Sandy Island Anguilla, no drinks or music are required to have a good time. This is why the Rock lobsters at Red Lobster only come in tails. If the overall dish is your goal and not the standout sweet and succulent flavor of naturally buttery Maine lobster, then rock lobster may be a good choice. Right on the water in west, Rhythms is the spot late Sunday afternoon for a proper lime with music, beach, rum, and, of course, lobster. People took a liking to the sweet meat and suddenly, these "cockroaches of the sea," as they were called, became a gourmet item, one that people would travel to New England to eat. Female lobsters with eggs are given a v notch in their tails before being released. So, the next time you see a package of lobster tails for sale at your local supermarket, chances are it's spiny lobster. The smaller front claw is also used for directing food into the mouth. One of the claws is very sharp and used for tearing prey into smaller pieces, while the other is used for crushing the shells of mollusks. The easiest way to get this meat is the crack the shell open instead of trying to pull the meat out. You might be thinking, lobster is lobster, it tastes great no matter what!Smoked lobster, steamed lobster, and baked lobster are all decadent, but there is a decided difference when serving up rock vs. Maine lobster. Naturally, most anyone from the northern half of the United States would quickly reply (in all caps): MAINE LOBSTER! Here are a few pictures of each Lobster below. If you really want to impress your family and friends invite them over and cook up the freshest of the fresh live Maine lobsters. Immediately, a moray eel poked its head out and I jumped back, conceding defeat. If youre shopping for lobsters, its easy to tell just by sight if youre buying Maine or rock lobster. Theyre easier to cook and handle, thanks to the smooth, spike-free body and less firm tail meat. We'll also dive into some of the not so know or obvious differences so you will have the knowledge to go out and find some on your own! It will go from done to rubber quickly. The common names of both rock lobsters and Maine lobsters are the first indicator to not only their preferred habitats, but also what makes them unique. Lobster first became a desired dish in the mid-19th century when it began to be canned and shipped across the nation. The best lobsters are those that are about three years old. It is just not as good as Maine lobster. Their rarity could also make them more prized on a global scale; while Maine lobsters are only found in Atlantic waters, spiny lobsters are available outside of the U.S. as well, specifically off the Asian coast and in southern Brazil, per AZ Animals, and in the Caribbean Sea, as noted by NOAA Fisheries. By the end, there wont be any confusion about which variety of lobster is the all-around bestand which you should definitely look for when shopping. margin: 0px -30px; Lobster are nocturnal. Maine Lobster live in the cold waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean from NewFoundland down to North Carolina. Maine lobsters are typically between 8 and 24 inches in length and may have a mass of over 20.1 kg (44lbs). But lobster didn't always have such a posh reputation. In Australia and New Zealand, this family also includes crayfish. To people who enjoy shellfish, the two taste very similar, but you can only order one of them whole. Their shell has green, black, and brown spots. Much to the surprise of unprepared diners, when spiny lobsters are served in restaurants, they are not available whole, but only sold as tails. You can use the succulent meat of a Maine lobster in a number of ways. It's all about persistence," he says. The lobster pots are all marked by colored buoys unique to that particular lobsterman. Parfitt caught a three-pounder on the first dive in the morning; he says he hasn't missed a season in 40 years. Pour sauce over lobster and serve the rest in dipping bowls. Right on the northern corner of Pigeon Point, Bumpkins brings a local vibe that ensures youre in for a real Antiguan vibe. Each type has many different sizes so the price is also different accordingly. They molt about 25 times in their first 5 to 7 years of life, and once per year when they're older. Another visible difference is that Spiny Lobster have small spines on the top of their bodies for protection while the top of Maine Lobster is smooth. As you can see in the picture above, the Spiny Lobster does not have any claws. Western Atlantic Coast in North America, from Canada to North Carolina. Rather, its served with clarified butter. The clawless species known as slipper lobsters (family Scyllaridae) differ significantly from spiny lobsters. Cut lobster tail into 4 pieces with shell intact. No one knows because it doesnt happen. Keep the body shell for plating your dishes. Since the waters in Canada are colder than the waters off of Maine, Canadian lobsters have thicker, harder shells. It may have been how it was prepared, or it may be the water or simply the differences in species. These traps are made up of two areas, the parlour, or chamber where the lobster is caught, and the kitchen where the bait is. The main difference between the Maine lobster and the Canadian lobster is the thickness of the shell. Theyre both meaty, but the rock lobster is much firmer, drier, and can easily become tough if overcooked. American lobsters are in the Astacidea infraorder, while spiny lobsters are in the Palinura infraorder. How you eat your lobster will likely depend on how you cook it. Required fields are marked *, LobsterAnywhere.com, Inc. Maine lobster is the king of all crustaceans. The first is freshness and the second is a more nebulous spice that at times could be called authenticity, or nostalgia, or even an experiential quality. Lets talk about boiled lobster. And thats what makes spiny lobster without claws the most delicious type of lobster on the planet At least at the moment youre eating it. Saut onion, jerk seasoning, and sweet pepper in remaining melted butter and cook until onion turns translucent. In the United States, most rock lobster comes from Florida and southern California. Sportfishinglures.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, and may earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Its never been easier to have the freshest Maine lobster delivered directly to your door than with LobsterAnywhere. )Buy fresh premium Maine lobster online and have it carefully shipped to your door ready to enjoy! Spiny Lobster vs Maine Lobster: What Are The Differences. Andy Rios, the divemaster in my group, spears a handful of calico bass and a large sheephead. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. It takes them about 2 years to grow to the 3-inch carapace (shell) legal-harvesting size. However, spiny lobsters can grow up to 60 cm, or two feet, in length with a weight of about 15 pounds. As mentioned above the biggest and most obvious difference between Maine lobster and Spiny lobster is that the Maine Lobster has claws. This will depend on where you buy them. Pull all lobster meat from the rest of the lobster. There's no difference between a Boston lobster and a Maine lobster unless you're looking at the Canadian variant of the Homarus Americanus. It's true that spiny lobsters don't have large pincer claws. MAINE LOBSTER vs CALIF SPINY (PACIFIC) LOBSTER - WHICH TASTES BETTER | Bloodydecks Latest posts Islands White Sea Bass and Halibuts on the Freedom at Santa Barbara Island 4/22 Latest: Frumpy760 3 minutes ago Southern California Fishing Reports YTSO Crew Building - Captains & Anglers Latest: Cactus Chris 13 minutes ago Yellowtail Shootout Garnish with chopped tomato concasse. Removing from heat pour in the rum and add butter stirring until it has melted evenly and turns creamy. Which, fortunately, coincides with the short but fabulous Maine summer. Incredibly, both lobsters serve as food for humans. Rather than stoke the fires of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) vs Maine lobster (Homarus americanus) debate (I think you can guess my allegiance), Ill just say there are two things that factor into the tastiness of a dish that go beyond the usual debate. So why is Maine lobster so much better than any other type of lobster? These species of Lobsters have a sweet and peculiar taste that differs depending on habitat. The second thing to look at is the spots on the tail. In Maine, the most common way of catching lobsters is by dropping a long rectangular trap along the ocean floor. There are 2 popular kinds of lobsters: Spiny Lobsters and Maine Lobsters/ Canada Lobsters. Spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) are a family of crustaceans with about 60 species. Now, lets look at even more differences between them. }. Now that weve dived into some of the name differences and the different ways they cook up, lets break them down by species, starting with the Maine lobster. - Most spiny lobsters are raised in cages. What rock lobsters lack in claws they make up for in impressive antennae that are used to scare off predators. These shellfish are remarkably buttery and sweet and their texture is known for being tender yet meaty and satisfying. Sauteed lobster is usually served in pieces, with a sauce or in a mixture. Spiny Lobster will have a lighter coloration of spots on their tails while. Today we will find out which of these two amazing lobsters . Their diet consists primarily of small crustaceans, mollusks, fish, snails, decayed plants, shrimp, mussels, and clams on the sea bottom. The Spiny lobster lacks one notable feature: The giant claws. "It's a way of connecting with the sea and understanding our own ecosystem.". import up to 90 percent of our seafood, about half of which is produced via aquaculture. The colder water keeps the Maine Lobsters from tasting too "fishy". If you see these signs, youve probably found yourself a great lobster shack. In general, lobster from the Atlantic Ocean will have a stronger flavor than that from the Pacific or other warmer waters. We started teaching English online so we could travel and I could walk in as many bodies of water as possible around the globe. Others cut them with a knife. Do you know the difference between Main Lobster and Spiny Lobster? They are widely prized and valued because of their delicious claw meat, but their taste varies due to the respective habitats they live in. If the tank is full of dark reddish-brown shellfish with a smooth body and prominent claws, youre looking at true lobsters (yet another name for Maine lobsters). Good news: you can have the highest-quality Maine Lobster delivered straight to your kitchen. The smaller front claw is also used for directing food into the mouth. You basically get a tail, about 1/2 of a lb. That said, wonderful spiny lobster can be found on plates all over the island. seafood company. The B-52s mightve sung about Rock Lobster but this article will cover everything you ever wanted to know or didnt think to ask about the uniqueness of these two species of crustaceans. By the time youre done reading this youll be able to dazzle your friends with all of the lobster facts while serving up piled high buttery Lobster Rolls. Still, others use a rolling pin or its equivalent to roll the meat out of them. "They are a tremendous challenge to find in the water.