Lobster and Wine

Best Way to Eat a Fresh Maine Lobster

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Everyone visiting Maine craves a fresh Maine lobster. It’s a #1 attraction in vacationland – to enjoy a bright red cooked lobster – ideally served by the sea! But many folks from away don’t know much about lobster, how to eat it, what to eat it with, how it is best served according to Mainers. So here is your guide to eating Maine lobster.

First – be sure the lobster is alive and fresh before its cooked. The best way to assure you have a quality lobster is to go to a busy restaurant, lobster pound or fish market – preferably near the ocean, fresh off the dock is the best bet for a fresh bite.

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Second – lobster needs to be steamed or boiled properly. There is some local debate about which is better: boiling or steaming your lobster. See our guide on Cooking Maine Lobster!

Third – Proper Lobster Accompaniments:

Lobster is best with hot melted butter… it’s really that simple.

Lobster is traditionally served by Mainers with fresh corn on the cob, and a side of potato chips – or some old schoolers serve tater tots (yup, like you used to eat in grade-school)!

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Steamers, native Maine clams – steamed, are often served beforehand or beside your lobster, with the broth in which they were steamed. The broth is used to give the clams a hot water bath before your eat them, after you remove the neck skin. Steamed clams are classic and delicious. Warning – don’t eat them if the shells don’t open after cooking. Them ain’t keepahs. See our guide to Maine slang.

If you want to get “real fancy” include a cup of New England clam chowder – the white cream base, not the modified Manhattan chowder in a tomato broth…that ain’t chowdah.

Fourth – Drinks with Lobster
The best beverage with a Maine lobster is a buttery Chardonnay. Or if you’re fancy and enjoy bubbly, Champagne, a sparkling wine or Rosé is lovely. For beer drinkers, nothing too hoppy – just cold and clean is best with the buttery rich taste of lobster. Red wine lovers can pair a light crisp Pinot Noir – not too heavy – you don’t want to overpower the delicate taste of the lobster meat.

lobster-bake-maine-style

Fifth – The best dessert after a good Down East Feast, also called a Clam Bake or Lobster Bake, if you have room in your tummy after all that seafood yummy – strawberry shortcake, homemade blueberry pie, or blueberry buckle are great choices – made from native Maine berries and topped with fresh whipped cream! Simple. Perfection!

Enjoy your Maine Lobster while in Vacationland. And be sure to order some Lobster to be delivered to your home too!

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