Would You Try These Lobster Themed Foods?
Having grown up in Maine, I'm no stranger to lobster. From the time I was a little boy, my mom urged me to try all different kinds of food. Even if it seemed a bit strange, or not quite normal. So when you see foods pop up with lobster flavoring to them, you know it's some out-of-state flatlander's idea of something that will attract tourists to eating it.
For instance, is lobster ice cream something you would try? You could. There are several creameries around Maine that have such adventurous flavors. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around. I mean, I'd try it once, just to say I did. But I doubt it's going to become my go-to summer scoop. All I'd be able to think in my head is that I'm eating sweet, frozen lobster chowder.
Or how about lobster beer? Dogfish Brewery has a beer called Chocolate Lobster. They throw live lobsters right in during the brewing process, as well as dark chocolate. I have never tried it myself, and I'm sure it's delicious, but again, is this for locals? Or is this something to get the tourists to try? Most locals know what lobster tastes like, so why put it in all these strange things? Maybe just use the tamale? That'll definitely provide you with a one-of-a-kind flavor combo.
And of course....You may have heard that Lay's Potato chips has introduced a "New England Lobster Roll" flavor this year. I tried another company's version last summer, and I was underwhelmed to say the least. They basically tasted like fish-butter flavored chips. there was no real lobster-y taste, just a salty buttery thing, with a fishy aftertaste. Not what I would necessarily describe as "tasty".
Like I said, it all kind of strikes me as folks not from New England, deciding what New Englanders like. And if we're not eating them, then it's the folks from away. I wouldn't go to Texas and expect beef flavored foods that weren't beef, but hey, that's not the day and age we live in. It's all about the flavor adventure. But sometimes, adventure just leads to sadness.
Every year, we should probably expect to have our senses assaulted with these bizarre concoctions. Maybe next year it can be something new like lobster yogurt? Or lobster coffee sweetener? Or maybe it will be the year of the clam? Who knows? All I know, is I like my lobster the way it's always been. So you keep the ice cream, I'll just take the lobster.