Crab lovers must be crazy about Alaska and Maine lobsters because of their impressive appearance and incredible taste. But what is the difference between the two species?
Despite how much they look alike, some qualities will set them apart. Our comparison between Alaska lobster vs. Maine lobster will tell you what they are.
So let’s check it out!
What Is Alaska Lobster?
Alaska lobsters, or Canadian lobsters, thrive in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean’s seabed. The best season for catching these lobsters is from June to July and October to January.
Depending on the season, Canadian lobsters may have a yield of 20 to 25% and have a rich, sweet flavor.
The cooler temperatures that Canadian lobsters live in cause their shells to stiffen. The sweetness and softness of the flesh are two physical features that change because of this.
Alaska lobsters can endure being out of the water for up to 72 hours because of their thick shells.
People like this species due to its longer survival period and ease of delivery. So, suppliers can deliver fresh lobsters directly to consumers or supermarkets.
Alaska lobsters thrive in cold temperaturesWhat Is Maine Lobster?
Maine lobsters, or American lobsters, live in waters between North Caroline and Eastern Canada. But Maine is where people find more than half of them in the US Maine.
It is the biggest species of living crab and the heaviest crustacean, with a maximum body length of 25 inches and a mass of nearly 4 pounds.
Because of a mix of red, yellow, and blue pigments that naturally occur in the shell, Homarus americanus has a regular color that ranges from brown to blueish green with red spines.
Rarely, genetic abnormalities or other conditions cause these colors to be distorted, causing a spectacle for observers.
American lobsters are a delicious treat. Usually, people love to boil and steam them. If stored properly in the refrigerator, hard shells may endure being out of the water for up to five days.
Maine lobsters will give a delicious treatSimilarities between Alaska Lobster and Maine Lobster
Alaska and Maine lobsters are similar in appearance. You may also be confused when checking their origin. They even have the same requirements in their environment. Here are some similarities between the two species.
Origin
Both the Alaska and Maine lobsters originate from the Atlantic coast of North America. They are all members of the “Homarus Americanus” family.
Water Temperature
Alaska and Maine lobsters live well in shallow water, just 13 to 164 feet deep. They will have more hiding spots to escape from predators in shallow, rocky locations.
However, sometimes, you can find the two types of lobsters to a depth of around 1500 feet, especially the Alaska species.
Body
Both species are large, cold-water creatures. Each has four pairs of legs, one pair of beards, and two huge paws.
These two lobsters seem very similar to one another. But you can easily tell the difference after tasting the meat.
The two species have some similaritiesDifferences between Alaska Lobster Vs. Maine Lobster
Alaska and Maine lobsters live in different parts of the ocean, with the former diving deeper. They also have different shell thicknesses and densities. Because of the shell, you will notice a particular kind of sweetness in the meat.
We will discuss each difference between the two species in this section. There is a comparison table at the end, to sum up.
Region
Both lobsters live on the Atlantic coast of North America. However, temperature and conditions fluctuate within the area.
All of Canada’s coasts are home to Canadian lobsters. Because they can endure colder temperatures, they have a wider distribution than Maine lobsters. This cold-resistant ability also allows them to live deeper.
On the other hand, although you can find Maine lobsters across the Atlantic North American coast, they mainly stick to the coast of Maine.
Shell
Many people can’t distinguish these two types of lobsters because of their similar appearance. Their mottled dark brown and black contribute to the confusion.
But you’ll see the difference in terms of size. The thicker shells of Alaska lobsters account for their bigger size.
Different water temperatures cause differences in the lobsters’ shell density. Alaska lobsters, which live in colder climates, must grow thicker shells to survive. Meanwhile, Maine lobsters don’t have to develop thick shells because they live in warmer waters.
Read more: How to properly preserve lobster shells
Meat Taste
Owing to their thinner shells, Maine lobsters are sweeter and more delicate. On the other hand, Alaska lobsters are bigger and have more flesh.
The thicker shell of Alaska lobsters affects the softness and sweetness of the meat. As a result, the flavor of Alaska lobster meat may not be as good as it is of Maine lobster.
The shell affects the lobster meatBody
Both lobsters have crushers and pincer claws. The exact size of the claws varies depending on the body size. In general, an average Alaska lobster is slightly bigger than its competitor because of its thick shell.
Price
Because of the sweet and tender meat, Maine lobsters are more expensive than Alaska species. In some regions, Alaska lobsters are only 50% of the price of Maine lobsters.
Comparison Table
Before heading to the supermarket and buying your favorite lobster, let’s check this table to summarize what we have discussed.
| Criteria | Alaska Lobster | Maine Lobster |
| Region | Colder areas of the Atlantic coast of North America | Warmer areas of the Atlantic coast of North America |
| Shell | Thicker dark greenish-browns or blacks | Thinner dark greenish-browns or blacks |
| Meat Taste | Sweet and denser | Sweet and tender |
| Body | Bigger | Smaller |
| Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
FAQs
Where Are the Best-Tasting Lobsters from?
The delicate and sweet meat of cold-water lobsters, especially those from Maine, is famous across the world.
Maine’s waters are often warmer than those of Canada, giving softer lobsters with more tender flesh and superior flavor overall.
What Kind of Lobsters Are in Maine?
Maine lobsters are the best options and the most common species you can find in this region. Their thin shell allows for natural sweetness in the meat.
Once you have fresh Maine lobsters, cook them to enjoy the taste of heaven. This video will help you:
Is Cold-Water Lobster Better Than Warm Water?
It depends on the species. But in general, lobsters in warm waters have sweeter, more tender, and more delicate meat.
On the other hand, cold-water lobsters have to grow thicker shells to resist low temperatures. Hence, their meat will be less meat but more abundant.
Conclusion
Alaska lobsters and Maine lobsters are similar in appearance. However, because of the surrounding conditions, they will have different shell densities and thicknesses. As a result, their flavors differ.
Hopefully, this comparison can help distinguish the two varieties of lobsters. Then, you can determine which to choose for your next recipe.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We will get back to you soon. Thank you for reading!
