The key differences between spiny lobsters and Maine lobsters are their claws and antennae. As low as $104.00 Regular Price $130.00. While Maine lobsters are the Homarus Americanus species, rock lobsters are from dozens of other closely related species but are fairly distant from the Maine lobster. Like the Maine lobster, the Canadian lobster is also of the genus Homarus americanus, meaning they're the exact same species (via The Ocean Mart). I hope you find value in the articles on this website. But for true seafood aficionados, theres another lobster that is even better: the South African Cold-Water Lobster. The claws are a delicacy for some lobster-lovers, and so, any other lobsters without them wont quite measure up. The steak was cooked and seasoned to . The Western Rock Lobster Council has a recipe for a "Western Rock Lobster Pappardelle," which involves taking four of the lobsters' tails, cutting them in half, taking out the digestive tract, removing the meat from the shell, and cutting the meat into small pieces and frying with olive oil, garlic, and parsley before mixing them with pasta. In the Bahamas, lobster season is from August until the end of March. Add to Compare. Australian. However, due to the concern about the lobster population, their harvesting season is staggered during their summer molts. The Chinese spiny lobster, also known as the Hong Kong rock lobster or Panulirus stimpsoni, is a small species of warm water lobster that tends to be net caught and sold in local markets. As such, they are not as sought after. When most people think of warm-water lobsters, they think of the giant Florida or Caribbean spiny lobster with a huge tail and no claws. They are often called sea crayfish. Lobsters are usually twice as big as Norway lobsters, and when cooked have a darker red color. 6 oz. Maine Lobster Tails . The shells are also tougher, and the meat is slightly less tender and not as tasty. Burrata and Beet Salad. This debate has been raging for a while, with many different reasons for each choice. They crop up on the east coasts of both the North and South Islands, and around the southwest coast of the South Island. Your table is waiting. The species occurs inshore and can be caught either by hand (diving) or using traps. While tenderness is often a common reason for people choosing one part over the other, there are a couple more possibilities to consider. The lobster tail is an esteemed choice of seafood meat around the world for its sweet and succulent taste. Therefore, Fishermen's Net will classify 12different types of lobsteraccording to the water environment in which they live. As a result, the waters around Tristan da Cunha are "considered to be one of the best managed and sustainable lobster fisheries in the world. Cold-water lobsters are from New England, Atlantic Canada, Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The belief that cold-water lobsters are the sweetest has made them popular. If you want to liven the dish up a bit, consider creating a traditional New England lobster roll by coating chunks of lobster meat in mayonnaise and adding them to a butter toasted hot dog bun. According to the Marine Education Society of Australasia, there are 75 species of lobster inhabiting the world's oceans. The boat goes out for a month-long fishing trip, and the crayfish caught along the journey must be frozen to keep them fresh. They are found on the coasts of Canada and are part of the Homarus americanus, along with Maine lobster, and this is why they are usually confused for each other. If youd like to get the best taste and all the nutrients from a lobster, you need to buy and eat it as soon as its caught. Cooking Tips 9 Best Types of Lobster [Maine, Slipper, Caribbean & More]. Lobster is one of the world's most popular luxury dishes. There are also two types of Maine . Obviously, they are warm water lobsters because they have long appendages and no claws. The Maine Lobster is found in the North Atlantic, off the east coast of the United States, with the highest concentrations being close to New England and Maine specifically, hence the name. They've also been declining in other areas like southern New England, where waters are warming enough to cause problemsif waters exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be fatal. However, the majority of your respondents in that survey might mention the Maine lobster as the best. As you might already know, lobsters are omnivores that eat fish, plants and crustaceans. The slightly warmer habitat gives Maine lobsters a more tender feel and a more delicious taste and can survive up to 48 hours after removal from the ocean. Our menus feature a delicious variety of seafood dishes, including chilled lobster tail, lobster and shrimp risotto, and a surf and turf entree with a butter-poached lobster tail. Compared to cold-water lobster, they have a harder shell which patterned in gray and brown stripes with yellow spots on the tail.. The best types of lobster for your next recipe. As a result, transporting them away from the coastal areas they are caught in is extremely difficult. It is found mostly in Maine but also in the waters between North Carolina and Eastern Canada. SAFE is committed to fully protecting the stewardship, sustainability, quality, and traceability of South Coast fisheries. Cold-water vs. Warm-water Meat. Unlike other lobsters that will just have meat in the tail and not in the claws. As lobsters don't tend to travel well, it is nearly impossible to get live European lobster in North America, and frozen French Blues come at a premium. Like most species of lobster, New Zealand rock lobsters are best boiled in salt water. Now, you can enjoy lobster almost anywhere in the world but you will pay a premium for it. Cold water lobsters are also known as clawed lobsters. Locals often call them crayfish or kreef, though youll most likely see them labeled with their full name on your favorite seafood restaurants menu. Older lobster is tougher. You can also distinguish between Maine and rock lobsters from the price quoted at stores. Most langoustines available in North America will be frozen, but if you have an opportunity to buy fresh langoustines you should be on the lookout for dark black eyes, lively movements, and no signs of damage to the antennae, legs, or shell. There is one thing about South African lobsters that can confuse you. The most ideal water temperature for Caribbean lobsters to spawn is 73 degrees F (23 degrees C), which means during April and October. The increase in biomass also spilled over into areas where fishing was allowed, with regular fisheries showing a "3050% increase in density and biomass CPUE.". South African Lobsters There is one thing about South African lobsters that can confuse you. Caribbean lobsters are most commonly found along the continental shelf of the southeastern United States, usually from North Carolina to Texas, in Bermuda, throughout the Caribbean Sea, and south to Brazil. Most cold water tails will come from Maine, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. They are very small and often known for their coloring instead of their meat. However, this only tells you if the lobsters have recently shed their exoskeleton. And whether youre preparing it steamed, boiled, or grilled, you need the right kind thats best for your cooking method. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. No matter what youre in the mood for, youll find something to suit your tastes at our Key Biscayne seafood restaurant. Place the baking sheet with lobster tails unto the over, centering it under the broiler. It is also known as Atlantic lobster, Canadian lobster, true lobster, northern lobster, Canadian Reds, [3] or Maine lobster. Contrary to its name, the Mediterranean lobster can be found as far away as the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. Report inappropriate content. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Because their new shell contains a lot of growing room, you'll find less meat inside a soft shell lobster than you would a hard shell of the same weight. South African lobster tails are one of the top choices around the world. Apart from knowing the best lobster species to look at, you also need to know how to pick them when youre at a store. At Trulucks, we partner with the operator Ruwekus (Rigel brand) because they are ultra-high quality, practice a unique freezing process, and are simply good, fun people we trust. If you do get ahold of a South African lobster tail, you should consider using the frozen meat to make a few lobster rolls. Now, with that in mind, lets chat about them in a little more detail. A warm water lobster is also known as rock lobster or spiny lobster. They are just not as popular on the commercial circuits. Australian Lobsters. If the lobster has been frozen and thawed, that may also affect the taste of the meat. 100% of all Brazilian Lobsters exported by Wild Oceans are . Langoustine season runs from September to May, and the most common fisheries are in the North Sea, close to Norway, Scotland, and off the north east coast of England. The best lobster is the highly-rated cold-water Maine lobster scientifically known as Homarus americanus. They also differ in appearance, size, habitat, taste, and lifespan. This variety of lobster has been described as having a "sweet, succulent flavor and a plump texture beyond compare." Tristan lobsters tend to be on the smaller side, with the average tail weighing between three to five ounces, though some examples can weigh as much as ten. Similar to other warm water lobsters, they are caught for lobster tails. They look similar, but they are not related. whole lobster, $25/lb. It's the South African lobster's similarities to a warm water species that set it apart because it's actually a cold water lobster. One of Australia's four main lobster species, Panulirus cygnus or the Western rock lobster is predominantly caught off the coast of Western Australia. However, no Are you looking for something to serve with your elegant lobster tails? One of, if not the largest poaching settlements of all time was settled over these lobsters to the tune of $22.5 million and prison time. Not only they have juicy claw meat, but their tail meat is also extremely firm. Lobster Anywhere provides instructions on the amount of salt to add and the time you need to boil your lobster. Each tail will often cost about $25 -$35 or about $45 $60 per pound. We surveyed over 54786 reviews from the most reliable sources to find out what people think about their experience with this product, and here are our top 10 south african lobster vs maine lobster. These are often commercially sold and shipped across the globe. Lobsters immediately start consuming their own nutrients as they get out of the water. The texture of a Maine lobster tail is generally firmer than that of a South African lobster. Put the egg into a small bowl. Interestingly, lobster harvesting laws in Maine only allow you to catch lobsters weighing a minimum of 1.25lbs (0.57kg). Lobster Meat Dinners. No other lobsters have both appendages and claws. Main lobsters are similar to Canadian lobsters because they are both from the Homarus Americanus species. Although they do not have claws or an oversized tail, South African lobsters are true cold-water lobsters with sweet meat and a muscular, steak-like tail because of their natural habitat's water temperatures and depth. This differs from true lobster species like the Maine and European lobsters, whose front legs have adapted into two large claws one "cutter" and one "crusher" that are both used in the way their names suggest. Knowing which variants are in season will reduce your chances of buying stale lobster or paying over-the-top rates for another variant. The more complicated something is to get, the more sought-after it will be. The best lobster is the highly-rated cold-water Maine lobster scientifically known as Homarus americanus. You basically get a tail, about 1/2 of a lb. Of course, a lot has to do in how the lobster is prepared so there are variibles. Steam, or boil and enjoy inside the shell, or remove the meat and use in salads, and on top of pastas. They can cost up to $40 per pound (0.45kg). South African Lobster Palinurus gilchristi is a true cold water, spiny lobster species and is commonly known as SOUTH COAST LOBSTER or SOUTH AFRICAN LOBSTER in the US markets. Cold-water lobsters have meat in their . TheEatDown.com is a participant in theAmazonServices LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. However, the water temperature is slightly higher compared to the lobsters habitat in Canada. It takes more time for them to grow than Caribbean lobsters. Crab is high in protein, which is important for building and maintaining muscle tissue, and also provides a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help boost heart health, and are thought to aid brain function. Read on! The size range to target is lobsters between 1.25-2 lbs (0.57 0.91kg) in weight. If you prefer lobster claw meat, you need to get a cold water lobster. To cook lobster tails like a pro, first thaw the frozen tails in the refrigerator for 24 hours. I have always been interested in survival, fishing, camping, and anything in nature. As mentioned above, lobsters are best eaten fresh from the ocean. Although they have claws, they are not considered clawed lobsters. As you may have guessed, the ornate spiny lobster's name comes from their appearance, as they look quite striking (literally). When it comes to flavor, California lobster is sweet and delicate with creamy and nutty notes. There are 12 different types of lobster from many areas around the world but not all of them are edible. New Zealand's official seafood website claims the species itself is common in the waters surrounding New Zealand and also crops up all around Australia too. Besides, claw meat can be tastier than tail meat. H. gammarus, the European lobster, a dark greenish animal, occurs on rocky bottoms of the European Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean Sea. They grow slower than Caribbean lobster, and this influences the overall taste. 4. In terms of taste, the lobster's meat is described as having a creamy, sweet flavor. The lobster tail meat is firm, meaty, and sweeter-tasting than most other seafood. Average Price (Frozen Shipped): $65/lb. This means that they are extremely abundant in places like coastal Maine, and they tend to be cheaper as a result. So, a lobster with very long antennae is most likely still relatively fresh. The world's most treasured coldwater spiny lobster, from the most remote inhabited island in the world, Tristan da Cunha. This may not seem like a big deal but its a significant game changer and produces a perfectly delicious tail. Still, it is an interesting alternative to simply boiling the meat in salt water. They both belong to the Homarus americanus family. The reason is that they live in warmer waters than Canada which gives them an overall better taste that you can't compare to any other type of lobster. The typical price for a store-bought Maine lobster would be around $50/lb, but prices will vary depending on location. One of the reasons this type of lobster is most popular is that it has more meat to go around the table. The best season for the New Zealand lobster is between May and February. South African lobster tails are renowned worldwide for their incredible sweetness and tender . It is spiny and lacks claws, which you may believe makes it essentially the same as any other rock or warm lobster, but you'd be wrong. The New Zealand lobster comes from the South Pacific coastal deep waters. Website:www.mualobster.com Address: 849 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103. The meat is sweet and firm. Rock lobsters look like other warm-water lobsters, so you can quickly differentiate them from the lack of claws and the presence of prominent spikes along the tail. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or input! Spread 2/3 of the butter mixture among the four lobster tails and leave remaining butter to finish them off when baked. Although it's smaller, the meat tends to be sweeter, which balances things out somewhat. No lobsters have permanent soft shells. Like other warm water lobsters (and contrary to their cold water equivalents), the Florida spiny lobster lacks claws (via the Gates Hotel). Spiny lobsters are more expensive because they are a favorite delicacy for the Chinese middle class who want to retain their age-old tradition of enjoying lobster meals without paying exorbitant fees for their locally grown species. Newly formed hard shells wont have many scrapes as the lobster hasnt put the claws to use enough to leave marks. One begins timing the cooking from the moment that the water hits boiling point and begins to bubble after placing the lobster into the pot. They have five sets of walking legs and three sets of claws. The flavor has been described as similar to crawfish. Panulirus ornatus or the ornate rock lobster is native to the waters of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, though specimens have been recorded as far away as the Mediterranian sea. When you dine out in a seafood restaurant, you should expect cold water lobster. A 2-inch lobster will cost about $20. The only part that you can eat from a warm water lobster is the tail. Lobster tail is better if you want more fibrous and chewier meat, while lobster claws are better if you prefer softer meat. Try dressing the cooked lobster in a mildly sweet and sour dressing, a hint of chili or garlic, and freshly torn basil. The closer you are to the source of the lobster, the more you can rely on having fresher lobster. You deserve the best! For this reason, restaurants keep their lobsters in tanks filled with water until its time to kill and cook them. Youll want to also check out What Is the Best Quality Beef in the World. However, they are tender and are flavor-rich. This meat is usually thicker and firmer than the meat found in lobsters' claws. New Zealand lobsters come in 2 different species: the spiny rock lobster and the packhorse rock lobster. The taste is velvet-like and almost buttery. Maine Lobster Bisque. According to California Sea Grant, these lobsters are smaller than Maine lobsters and usually weigh about 2 pounds, although they can reach as much as 26.They do not have pincers or claws, meaning there is no pincer meat to be enjoyed. [4] [5] It can reach a body length of 64 cm (25 in), and a mass of over . Maine lobster grows at a slower rate, so the result is firmer and more succulent meat compared to the Brazilian lobster. As you can tell from the name, Caribbean lobsters are mostly caught along the shore of the Caribbean, throughout the Gulf of Mexico. When most people think of cold-water lobsters, they think of the classic Maine lobster with two claws. Warm-water lobster tails contain more meat in them than cold-water lobster tails, but it is mushier and not as easy to handle. Maine Lobster Tails- Homarus Americanus. Our South African Cold Water Lobster Tail is a premier species of lobster tail around the world. Lobster in the wild. Additionally, TheEatDown.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. This is one of the reasons why Maine lobster would usually land in restaurants and supermarkets. Its easy to boil, bake, grill, or microwave a lobster tail, and it stays in form while cooking with a great uniformity to the cooking. The animal itself is of superior quality but the uniqueness of the Rigel process preserves that sweet taste and firm texture. It is this size and their "outstanding taste" that has led to the ornate spiny lobster being widely fished and eaten (via Sea Unseen). Thank you for signing up for email updates. Of which sugar: 0g. Rest assured that youve never experienced a lobster, kreef or crayfish of this quality. Canadian water is cold, and as such, the lobster is cold water lobster. When grilled to perfection, these tails exhibit an unbelievable sweetness and tenderness compared to that of a fillet. domestic sales of lobsters in the United States of America have dropped because many states and cities have also closed all restaurants. 2. They have sweet, smooth meat and firm white flesh and are sold to markets around the world, especially in Asia. Hard shell lobsters are usually fished between fall and spring. A traditional rock lobster recipe from the area involves boiling and halving the lobsters before covering them in an oil, lemon juice, and salt, dressing (via SBS). This means that they often have less meat than Maine lobsters of the same size. The management of the South African lobster industry is incredibly strict to protect this special species, however the majority of lobsters that are caught in South Africa are . However, the colder waters off the Canadian coast produce lobsters that are different enough to gain their own distinction. Maine lobster prices have dropped by 20 percent since January 2020. This is because they account for the bulk of the highly sought-after cold-water lobsters. All lobsters have five pairs of legs, but cold-water lobsters have claws important to their feeding habit in their front legs. For more, check out 4 Best Tasting Freshwater Fish (And How To Prepare Them). Warm-water lobsters like the Florida Lobsters dont have these claws because they use their front appendages to draw food to their strong mandibles, which can crush mollusk shells.