The difference between Maine lobster vs. Canadian lobster is truly a tale of two gulfs. It is one of nuance defined not by a border, an arbitrary boundary, but by geography. Even though they are the same, lobster caught off the coast of Maine and lobster caught further north in Canada are not the same. There are differences in size, price, taste, and texture.
The Homarus americanus, the American lobster, is considered the best tasting. Native to the northwest Atlantic, the area with the most of them is from the Gulf of Maine in the northeast to the Bay of Fundy in the southwest, around the peninsula of Nova Scotia in the west, and into the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in the east. Lawrence. Not only are these “true” cold water lobsters a meal, but they are also a favorite in the world’s best restaurants and kitchens.
As much as demand sets price differences, so does volume. The price of Canadian lobster is usually lower than that of Maine lobster, primarily due to volume. Canadian waters are home to more than 60% of all lobster landings in North America, making them responsible for more than half of the world’s lobster supply. The price points of lobster in Maine are seasonal. Prices are lower in the fall, when the most lobsters are caught, because demand starts to drop after Labor Day. Conversely, when lobsters migrate far offshore during winter, landings decrease because there is less fishing. Prices are highest from January to March, reaching their peak in early spring before the weather gets warmer again. After that, prices start to drop again.
Maine and Canadian lobsters come from the same species, Homarus americanus, found in the cold, northern Atlantic waters off the coasts of Maine and eastern Canada. Yet the two have distinct reputations, with Maine lobster considered by many to be superior in flavor and texture to its Canadian counterpart. But is this reputation warranted, or is it mainly hype? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between Maine and Canadian lobster to find out if one really is better.
Reasons Why Maine Lobster is Considered Superior
There are a few key reasons why Maine lobster has gained a reputation as the best lobster available
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History and tradition – Maine lobster fishing has been an iconic part of New England culture for over 150 years. Generations of tradition have given it an elevated status.
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Exclusivity – Maine lobster makes up a small portion of overall lobster supply, creating exclusivity. It lands in the top lobster fishing ports in the U.S.
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Higher price – The laws of supply and demand mean limited supply and high demand allow Maine lobster to command a higher price. Higher price often signals higher quality.
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Endorsements – Celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay vocally endorse Maine lobster as far superior in taste. Their opinions carry weight.
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Tourism – Maine’s storied lobster fishing culture and coastal charm add to the appeal and perception of Maine lobster as a premium product.
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Seasonality – The Maine lobster season coincides with when lobsters are growing into new, soft shells ideal for tender meat.
So Maine lobster has a lot going for it in terms of reputation and perceived quality But how does it actually compare next to Canadian lobster? Let’s evaluate the real differences,
How Maine and Canadian Lobster Really Compare
When it comes to actual physical differences between Maine and Canadian lobsters, there are a few subtle distinctions:
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Water temperature – The waters off Maine are slightly warmer on average compared to Canada’s Maritime provinces. This could account for small differences in shell density.
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Shell hardness – Canadian shells may harden sooner in the summer when the water cools faster. But overall thickness differences are negligible.
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Supply and seasons – Canada supplies over half of all lobster globally, mostly in late spring and winter when shells are very hard. Maine lobster fishing is year-round.
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Meat tenderness – Softer shell lobsters found in Maine during peak summer and fall may have more tender, succulent meat, according to some chefs.
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Sweetness – Again, softer shell lobsters in warmer waters may allow for more flavor infusion into the meat, enhancing sweetness.
So while subtle differences in water temperature, shell hardness and seasons may influence texture and flavor, the overall distinctions between Maine and Canadian lobster appear to be quite minimal.
Why Price and Reputation Matter
Part of the reason Maine lobster is so highly prized comes down to supply, demand and socioeconomic factors, not just biology:
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Perception – Maine lobster is seen as a premium, luxury item, which often self-perpetuates as consumers equate higher price with higher quality.
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Limited supply – With Canada supplying significantly more lobster, Maine lobster appears more exclusive. Limited supply drives up prices.
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Tourism – Maine lobster is an iconic part of New England coastal tourism. Tourists are less price-sensitive and swayed by reputation.
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Marketing – “Maine lobster” has brand appeal, similar to “Idaho potatoes” or “Washington apples.” Smart marketing increases perceived value.
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Regulations – Stricter regulations in Maine may help sustain lobster populations and high-quality traps, adding to the cachet.
So Maine’s reputation means consumers are often willing to pay top dollar for lobster from Maine waters. But a blind taste test might prove interesting between a Maine and Canadian lobster!
The Bottom Line: Taste is Subjective
When it comes down to it, lobster tasting is quite subjective. Regional loyalty and psychological preconceptions play a role. A diner in Maine may insist their local lobster is far superior to imported Canadian lobster. And a Canadian diner may argue just the opposite!
While subtle environmental differences in the two regions may contribute to slight variances in texture and flavor, Maine and Canadian lobsters ultimately come from the same species living in cold northern waters. An informal survey of consumer reviews shows very mixed opinions on which is actually better.
The safest bet is to try lobsters from both regions yourself and draw your own conclusions. Let your personal taste preferences be the judge. And keep in mind that preparation, freshness, season and cooking method will impact the taste of any lobster, no matter its origin.
The next time you plan to indulge in a whole lobster dinner or lobster rolls, consider putting Maine and Canadian lobster to the test side-by-side. You just might surprise yourself!
Maine Lobster vs. Canadian Lobster: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between Maine lobster and Canadian lobster is the flavor and texture. This is because the seasons change the water temperature and fishing rules in Canada and the US. The meat from Canadian lobsters isn’t as sweet and soft as lobster meat from Maine lobsters because their shells are thicker and harder. This is often attributed to differences in water temperature.
That Canadian lobsters live in colder waters than Maine lobsters is a given. In the Gulf of Maine, lobsters do better because the water temperature is higher than in the Gulf of St. Lawrence waters. The water in the Gulf of Maine is usually 7°F to 9°F warmer than the water in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It depends on the time of year. In summer, for example, the average temperature rises to 60. 8°F in the Gulf of Maine compared to 53. 6°F in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
The density of a lobster shell changes depending on the temperature of the water. This density can make the meat either rich and tender or firm and meatier. The differences in taste and texture of lobster between the two gulfs are more a shell game.
Is Canadian lobster as good as Maine lobster?
What is the difference between Maine lobster and Canadian lobster?
The Canadian lobster is the Maine lobster’s closest rival. The main difference between the Maine lobster and the Canadian lobster is the thickness of the shell. Since the waters in Canada are colder than the waters off of Maine, Canadian lobsters have thicker, harder shells. Due to the thickness of its shell, you will find less meat in the lobster.
Do Canadian lobster shells get thicker than Maine lobster?
Some people insist that Canadian lobster shells get thicker than Maine lobster shells, but the difference would be so slight that it’s likely unnoticeable. However, Canadian lobster’s shells could get thicker a little sooner than Maine lobster’s shells because the water turns colder earlier in the summer season. What does this mean?
Is there a difference between North Atlantic lobsters and Canadian lobsters?
The result of this is that there’s not necessarily a real difference between North Atlantic lobsters, whether they were caught off the coast of Maine or Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. Lobster connoisseurs will tell you that cold water makes a lobster’s shell hard, however, and that Canadian lobsters live in colder water than Maine lobsters.
What does Maine lobster taste like?
Since the temperature is higher in Maine, Maine lobsters have meat with a delicate, sweet flavor and a soft texture. It’s more tender than Canadian lobsters and is considered to be more succulent. Canadian lobsters are known for their larger size and higher fat content. Their taste is slightly inferior to the taste of Maine lobsters.