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National Lobster Day

Whether you’re a long-time lobster aficionado or someone who’s still hesitant about seafood, now’s the time to give this classic marine delicacy a try.

Food & DrinkLife & LivingOcean Water62
Marketing angleinferred

Drive premium seafood sales and restaurant traffic by positioning lobster as an accessible luxury treat worth celebrating with special promotions and experiential dining offers.

Relevance 62high intent
  • Lobster roll vs. whole lobster: which will you choose this National Lobster Day?
  • From Maine to your table: celebrate with iconic lobster recipes (bisque, Newburg, mac & cheese)
  • Luxury dining on a budget: restaurant vs. home-cooked lobster feast showdown
  • Plan your Maine lobster pilgrimage: visit the Lobster Museum and taste the source

History

National Lobster Day got its start in 2014 when it was founded by Maine Senators Angus King and Susan Collins with the purpose of promoting this product from the seas. While there are some folks who celebrate this event in mid-June, this date in September seems to be the more common day on the calendar.

In honor of this event, let’s take a further look at some fun tidbits about lobsters. Lobsters can last an awfully long time in the wild – longer than you might think! – if they aren’t scooped up to be made into something tasty.

It’s estimated that they can live up to a massive 50 years, although aging them correctly is a little tough. Of course, this is something of a moot point when it comes to eating them, as your interest is purely in the way they taste.

Lobsters are a big coup for fisherman, and they have specific nets dedicated to trying to capture these creatures. They are omnivores, which means they are quite happy to tuck into plants and other ocean-dwellers alike.

They also tend to munch on their own skin after they molt – waste not, want not! The lobster is a creature revered and respected, and it seems fitting that this creepy looking critter should be celebrated for its gorgeous taste, and the role it plays in fine dining.

Today, lobster is considered a luxury food – served up in soup, rolls, or simply with lashings of warm butter. However, it wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, lobster was far from a pricey and sought-after foodstuff.

It seems hard to believe it, but there was once a time when lobster was not viewed in the way it is now. In fact, quite the opposite, it was actually seen as something eaten by lower classes. Prior to the mid 19th century, lobster was usually only eaten by servants or those considered to be from within the lower echelons of society.

It was even served up in prisons quite frequently – allegedly, much to the complaints of the prisoners – and in some places, it was even considered to be best used for fish bait or as fertilizer. How times have changed!


How to celebrate

Dine at a Seafood Restaurant

You could choose to visit your favorite seafood restaurant, head for an expensive lobster dinner. Invite some friends and make a festive occasion out of it! These days, you don’t have to go too far to find a restaurant that will serve up lobster for you to try. Whether that be in a lobster roll, lobster soup or – if you’re feeling really decadent – the whole lobster itself.

Prepare Lobster at Home

Grab some lobster for a luxury family feast at home. If this is something that interests you then there are quite a few epic lobster recipes you can find online that you will be able to work on. Lobster bisque is one of the most common and popular choices, but you should also think about something like Lobster Newburg and Lobster Thermidor as well. There’s even a version of Lobser Mac & Cheese! Lobster is also great when served up with some vegetables and some warm crusty bread, you can’t go fwrong. Be sure to treat yourself today, just watch out for those great big claws! Conjuring up an unforgettable lobster dish is something that will really put the icing on the cake in terms of celebrating National Lobster Day as much as possible.

Pay Heed to the Lobster

Alternatively, you might like to have a lobster costume party, or even take a trip to Maine, considered the lobster capital of the United States, and home to Maine Lobster Museum!


FAQ
Did lobsters ever serve as prison food?
Yes, in colonial America, lobsters were so abundant that they were considered food for the poor and served to prisoners. Over time, they transformed into a luxury delicacy.
Is it true that lobsters can live forever?
No, lobsters aren’t immortal. While they can live for several decades, they eventually die due to disease, predation, or the energy cost of molting.
How do lobsters communicate with each other?
Lobsters communicate by releasing pheromones in their urine, conveying messages about dominance, mating, and territory.
What’s the significance of the Maine Lobster Festival?
The Maine Lobster Festival is a renowned event in the U.S., featuring lobster dinners, cooking contests, and parades, celebrating the state’s rich lobster fishing heritage.
Do lobsters change color when cooked?
Yes, live lobsters are typically brown or greenish. When cooked, they turn red due to the heat breaking down proteins, revealing the red pigment astaxanthin.
Is there a lobster festival in Belize?
Yes, San Pedro in Belize hosts a vibrant Lobster Fest, featuring lobster-themed dishes, music, and cultural events, marking the opening of the lobster season.
Do lobsters feel pain when cooked?
The debate continues, but lobsters lack a centralized nervous system like humans. Some scientists believe they don’t experience pain in the same way we do.
What’s the largest lobster ever recorded?
The heaviest lobster on record weighed 44 pounds and 6 ounces, caught off Nova Scotia in 1977.
Do lobsters mate for life?
No, lobsters don’t form lifelong pairs. They have multiple mates over their lifespan, with complex mating behaviors.
Are there different species of lobsters in the U.S.?
Yes, the U.S. is home to both the American lobster, found in the Atlantic, and the spiny lobster, common in warmer waters like Florida and California.