Do spiny lobster taste like Maine lobster? You should think about them for your next meal because they both have a sweet and highly flavored briny taste. 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. There are a few obvious differences and a few subtle differences as well. Spiny Lobster (Rock Lobster) Facts - ThoughtCo What Size Insulated Fish Bag Should I Buy? There are a lot of different ways to enjoy lobster. Discover The Worlds Oldest Lobster (140 Years Old!). It all starts with a name. Now that your lobster is ready, your table is covered with newspapers, and youve got your clarified butter (and maybe your Saltines! Answer (1 of 5): I am certainly not an expert, and I much prefer shrimp. They're found around the world, including the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Less meat. In China, spiny lobsters are often stir-fried with a sweet and savory soy and ginger sauce to compensate for the more muted flavor of the meat. They are widely prized and valued because of their delicious claw meat, but their taste varies due to the respective habitats they live in. The smaller front claw is also used for directing food into the mouth. If you spotted them both separately underwater, you'd probably know you were looking at lobsters, even though there are some significant differences between them. Shipped overnight to ensure maximum freshness. Perfect locations for spiny lobster traps! Female lobsters with eggs are given a v notch in their tails before being released. Its no secret that we (Mainers) are obsessed with our native crustaceans. After the soak the lobstermen remove the lobsters that are of legal size and release those that are too small or too large. If you really want to impress your family and friends invite them over and cook up the freshest of the fresh live Maine lobsters. They are widely prized and valued because of their delicious claw meat, but their taste varies due to the respective habitats they live in. That is to say, relaxed, friendly, and quick with a rum punch. No, our lobster (also known as Caribbean spiny lobster), native to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Golf of Mexico, is not a close relative of the cold water Maine lobster. They have an amount of omega 3 and calcium that are higher than some other types of lobster. Boothbay Harbor has an actual lobster pier and there are restaurants on it. Baked lobster is typically served in halves. We are on a scuba diving boat chartered by Ocean Safari at Santa Cruz Islandone of the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. Of course, if youre not near the Caribbean sea, you can still spice your meal with nostalgic memories of time spent in the sunny islands by picking up some spiny live lobsters of your own and fixing up some at home. Even if you cant eat it on a beach boiled in seawater, you now know how to find a good lobster restaurantany local will also point you in the right direction. Caribbean lobsters are smaller and not as tasty in the 4-5 times we have had them over the years. But in most cases, youre going to want something more flavorful to really bring the seafood to life. New England lobster is Homarus americanus, in the family Homaridae. Spiny lobsters have the capability to grow up to 20 pounds but are usually harvested. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. at the most vs. on a Maine lobster of 1 3/4 lbs. Why do people choose Maine lobster vs other lobster? In the United States, most rock lobster comes from Florida and southern California. The best lobsters are those that are about three years old. While there is no official ranking list for the best lobster shacks in the state, there are a few key indicators that you can watch out for: Is the restaurant located close to the ocean? 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. Slipper lobster. If you want a luxurious lobster meal, these arent the lobsters youre looking for. They can also be called true lobster, Atlantic lobster, and Northern lobster. Many of the attendees have been anticipating the season opener all year. You can even pick your delivery date when ordering. Atlantic lobsters also have a naturally sweeter flavor that needs little to no seasoning to shine on the plate. Tucked right into the bay at Island Harbour, this bar and restaurant on a tiny coral cay is the perfect spot for a day of fun, food, and friends. Caribbean Spiny Lobster | NOAA Fisheries Discover the Largest Lobster Ever Caught! Those creatures commonly called squat lobsters also possess claws but they are much smaller and differ significantly from the animals specialists describe as lobsters. In this post, youll find out what makes our lobster so good. This narrative of domestic seafood being shipped to other countries isn't just limited to spiny lobsters. The spiny lobster is often sold as just lobster tails. Where can you easily find them? Sometimes, diners can opt to order just the tail, where the sweet, tender meat is prized, but to do so is to miss out on the huge chunks of meat found in the claws, and some also in the body. Read on to learn more about how to tell the difference between these types of Lobster. Florida lobster vs Maine lobster really isnt even a contest. It may have been how it was prepared, or it may be the water or simply the differences in species. The meat percentages change based on the season, with the Grade A lobsters of the fall and winter containing the most meat. That said, wonderful spiny lobster can be found on plates all over the island. Since the waters in Canada are colder than the waters off of Maine, Canadian lobsters have thicker, harder shells. Maine Lobsters are considered to have better taste because of the colder living environment. We eat the calico raw and he makes the sheephead into a miso soup. Whereas the American lobster has marketable meat in its claws, body, and tail, the spiny lobster only has marketable meat in its tail. The state produces more than 90 percent of the domestic supply of these tasty critters. They also have what look like molars on their claws that aid in crushing crab and mussel shells. As the lobster grows, there is space between its shell and the meat which gets filled with ocean water. Here are just a few of the of the highlights well cover. 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. 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. Have you ever wondered about the differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters? The water temperature is 65 degrees and although the visibility isn't fantastic underwater, the excitement on the boat is palpable. Sometimes, this antenna can be longer than the body. )Buy fresh premium Maine lobster online and have it carefully shipped to your door ready to enjoy! I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. This is why the Rock lobsters at Red Lobster only come in tails. The Australian lobster tail weighs about eight to ten ounces. Did you know a Lobster can regenerate a lost limb? They can both be used in a number of ways to make a perfect dish. These true lobsters are the most sought-after crustaceans on the market for a reason: Now that youve got the run down on rock vs. Maine lobster, we know the craving is real! Naturally, most anyone from the northern half of the United States would quickly reply (in all caps): MAINE LOBSTER! Many animals will eat their own kind, Lobster are no different. Maine lobsters are generally a greenish-brown or black color when alive. Poaching in butter was wonderful ! Read on to learn the differences between Maine lobster and some other popular lobsters, as well as why Maine lobster is the best lobster! Large lobster will feed on the young if they are hungry enough. You wont want to heat it up again. The spiny lobster has a hard shell, longer antennae, and longer, spidery-looking legs compared to the Maine lobster. So, what type of lobster is the best? Lobster are nocturnal. It's true that spiny lobsters don't have large pincer claws. American brands aren't always what they seem in the Caribbean. But what are the key differences between the spiny lobster and the Maine lobster? You can cook rock lobster similarly to Atlantic lobster, such as by grilling or steaming. For example, the most common lobster in American restaurants is Homarus americanus, known as the Maine lobster, because it just tastes the best due to the coastal environment of Maine. This includes both hand fishing, and where legal, spear fishing. American lobsters are in the Astacidea infraorder, while spiny lobsters are in the Palinura infraorder. Langostinos are in the Anomura infraorder, with and hermit and porcelain crabs, and in the Galatheidae family. Lobster season in the Caribbean is one of the best times to find yourself in the West Indies. According to the Institute of Hematopathology, lobsters can survive for many years because of their ability to produce an enzyme known as telomerase in their organs that helps maintain long-term cell proliferation capacity and repair DNA. Why is clarified butter better than regular butter for lobster? First, Spiny would flog Mr. Maine like a political prisoner, tie up those bulky claws with his antennae, and finally pin the scrawny beast with his strong, sharp tail. According to the Institute of Hematopathology, lobsters can survive for many years because of their ability to produce an enzyme known as telomerase in their organs that helps maintain long-term cell proliferation capacity and repair DNA. The spiny lobster isn't completely inaccessible to American consumers, though. Maine Lobster vs. Spiny Lobster | Dinner 16 Types Of Lobster Explained - Tasting Table If you can find a fresh lobster that has been caught recently, its a great choice since it tastes the best. Just kidding. The key differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are appearance, size, habitat, taste, and lifespan. Due to the colder habitat they inhabit, Maine lobsters are considered to taste better than spiny lobsters. Another difference between Maine Lobster and Spiny Lobster is where you will find each species. One of the differences between crayfish and lobster is their size. Spiny Lobster will have a lighter coloration of spots on their tails while. It will go from done to rubber quickly. In Mexico, that percentage is estimated to be up to 99 percent. - Spiny Lobster meat is very firm, sweet, and extremely delicious with high nutritional value. The Maine lobster gets its rich flavor from the cold, mineral-rich waters of the Gulf of Maine. Which one do you like better? Good news: you can have the highest-quality Maine Lobster delivered straight to your kitchen. Rock Lobsters or Spiny Lobsters do not have large edible claws like Maine lobster, but only tiny claws, which don't have any edible meat. Western Atlantic Coast in North America, from Canada to North Carolina. Maine lobster is so irresistible they cant help but pull an occasional Hannibal Lecter. Well, youve come to the right place. - Many people like the taste of Maine Lobster. Maine lobsters are typically between 8 and 24 inches in length and may have a mass of over 20.1 kg (44lbs). Keys Fisheries offer spiny lobster tails at $38.95 per pound, and Bradley's Fish sells whole raw rock lobsters weighing 600-800g for 35.00. Both spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are omnivorous and share the same diet. There are lots of events and activities that take place during the festival, but the most famous event is the lobster cooking contest. Spiny vs Maine lobster. What's the difference? - Food52 Discover the Largest Lobster Ever Caught! The large tails are perfect for grilling. The important thing is that they have differences in the taste of lobster meat. However, like spiny lobsters, they live in muddy caves, rock reefs, crevices, or burrows on the sea floors worldwide. Masury is behind the site Follow Your Fish, which tracks the supply chain behind certain American seafood like the California squid and spiny lobster. They can grow to about 60 cm or 2 feet in length and weigh about 15 pounds. This is why some lobster shells will be so hard and thick, while others are almost pliable. Parfitt hails from North Carolina and today he's fully dressed, from head to toe, in a thick neoprene wetsuit. ), Crayfish Quiz - Only The Top 1% Can Ace our Animal Quizzes, Watch a Fisherman Catch a Rare, 1-in-2 Million Blue Lobster Then Do the Unthinkable, Tiny Crab Nearly Drowns a Large Bald Eagle in Impressive Fight, Discover The Largest Lobster Ever Caught in Maine. What rock lobsters lack in claws they make up for in impressive antennae that are used to scare off predators. Where can you easily find them? Next, find the claws. With a knife, cut into the tail. .mobile-top-content a:hover { color: #fff; text-decoration: underline; }, @media (max-width: 480px) { Parfitt caught a three-pounder on the first dive in the morning; he says he hasn't missed a season in 40 years. Lobster vs Spiny Lobster - What Is More Tasty? - YouTube Why? Lobsters have the ability to regrow legs, claws, and antennae if they fall off due to injury or disease. For more information, please see our Disclaimerbelow. There are two main lobster varieties harvested and sold in the USRock vs Maine lobsterbut it can be difficult for first timers to know which type is the hands-down best choice for home cooks. "Mitch's Seafood is fantastic," Masury says. Season with salt and pepper. Hi, I'm Eric, I'm a professional chef, and these are my $250 lobster dinner ingredients. You can actually separate the body from the shell by just pulling it apart. Slipper lobsters are a family ( Scyllaridae) of about 90 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda clade Reptantia, found in all warm oceans and seas. Claws up and lets dive into the fascinating sea of lobster. Often, though, you will need to crack the tail open. Unlike Hannibal, we recommend pairing this delicacy with a dry ros and not chianti. As mentioned above the biggest and most obvious difference between Maine lobster and Spiny lobster is that the Maine Lobster has claws. The Maine coastal conditions are just perfect to grow lobsters whose shells are not too thick and whose meat is sweet and tender. Garnish with chopped tomato concasse. Some may possess a blue shell when born. But wherever your tastes take you, weve got all the insider knowledge on how to eat a lobster correctly. They can both be used in a number of ways to make a perfect dish. Incredibly, both lobsters serve as food for humans. Maine lobster sometimes is sold as North American Lobster or even Canadian Lobster. Rock vs Maine Lobster: What's The Difference? Whereas the American lobster has marketable meat in its claws, body, and tail, the spiny lobster only has marketable meat in its tail. In general, lobster from the Atlantic Ocean will have a stronger flavor than that from the Pacific or other warmer waters. Lets talk about boiled lobster. Spiny Lobster live in warmer waters and can be found throughout the more sub tropical and tropical areas around the world like the Caribbean, florida, California, Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland etc. Expert lobstermen and chefs agree. This ensures that the reproductive cycle continues. Another favorite way to eat Maine lobster is with Saltine crackers. New England's mail order Even though they lack pincers, i.e., they do not have claws, they have a longer and spiny antenna relative to Maine lobsters. There's no difference between a Boston lobster and a Maine lobster unless you're looking at the Canadian variant of the Homarus Americanus. 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. Spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) are a family of crustaceans with about 60 species. They can both be used in a number of ways to make a perfect dish. As you can see in the picture above, the Spiny Lobster does not have any claws. Theyre both meaty, but the rock lobster is much firmer, drier, and can easily become tough if overcooked. That doesnt mean the Spiny lobster is bad. What spiny lobster is, however, is one of the most so-fresh-it-was-alive-when-I-got-there, thoroughly authentic, experience making dinners you can have in the West Indies.