The Maine Lobster Tail Steak has a fascinating history that transformed it from a humble prisoner's meal to a sought-after delicacy. In the 17th century, lobsters were so abundant along the New England coast that they were considered "poverty food" and often fed to prisoners and indentured servants[3]. These unfortunate individuals even negotiated to limit their lobster consumption to no more than three times a week[3].
However, the lobster's reputation began to change in the 19th century. As railroad transportation expanded, lobster meat gained popularity in cities like Boston and New York[3]. The introduction of lobster pounds in 1876 allowed for better preservation and distribution of live lobsters[2]. By the 1880s, chefs discovered that cooking lobsters alive resulted in superior flavor, further elevating their status[4].
During World War II, lobster became a staple for soldiers due to its high protein content and ease of canning[2]. This exposure helped cement its reputation as a delicacy. Today, the Maine Lobster Tail Steak is prized for its sweet, tender meat and is considered a luxury item[1]. Its journey from "cockroach of the sea" to a decadent dinner option is a testament to how perceptions of food can dramatically shift over time[4].
緬因州龍蝦尾牛排有一段引人入勝的歷史，從囚犯的卑微食物轉變為備受追捧的美味佳餚。在17世紀，龍蝦在新英格蘭海岸如此豐富，被視為「貧民食品」，經常用來餵食囚犯和契約僕人。這些不幸的人甚至協商將他們的龍蝦消費限制在每週不超過三次。
然而，龍蝦的聲譽在19世紀開始改變。隨著鐵路運輸的擴展，龍蝦肉在波士頓和紐約等城市逐漸受到歡迎。1876年引入的龍蝦池允許更好地保存和分發活龍蝦。到了1880年代，廚師們發現活煮龍蝦能產生更好的味道，進一步提升了它們的地位。
在第二次世界大戰期間，由於龍蝦的高蛋白含量和易於罐裝，它成為士兵的主食。這種接觸幫助鞏固了它作為美味的聲譽。如今，緬因州龍蝦尾牛排因其甜美、嫩滑的肉質而備受青睐，被視為奢侈品。它從「海洋蟑螂」到奢華晚餐選擇的旅程，證明了人們對食物的看法可以隨時間發生戲劇性的變化。
Citations:
[1] https://themainebeaches.com/maine-beaches-insider/lobster-tales/
[2] https://www.mainelobsternow.com/blogs/resources/a-taste-of-lobster-history
[3] https://www.adelphiaseafood.com/news/maine-lobsters-a-delicious-shellfish-with-a-rich-history.html
[4] https://pinetreeseafood.com/the-history-of-the-lobster-how-lobster-went-from-cockroach-of-the-sea-to-decadent-dinner/
[5] https://www.samuelsseafood.com/blog/from-trash-to-treasure-the-great-american-lobster-history/
[6] https://www.stonewoodgrill.com/A-History-of-Our-National-Love-for-Lobster-1-82.html
[7] https://www.sandwichmagazine.com/fillings/blog-post-title-four-cty8z-webj5-4frca-lwfrb-y8b9w-r4hkt-k9gx9-8tmpd
[8] https://www.capeporpoiselobster.com/a-brief-history-of-lobsters-and-how-they-became-seafood-royalty
