Here’s a trivia questioned from DownEast.com and the answer brought to mind the quote often attributed to Marie Antoinette: “Let them eat cake.”
She supposedly said it after she was told that peasants had no bread. It reflected the princess’ lack of knowledge – or concern – of the famine at the time.
What key development expanded lobster’s popularity?
Answer:
Once considered “poverty food,” lobsters became popular after the first cannery in Eastport was established in 1843. At their peak, Maine had more than thirty lobster canneries.
Lobster as a “poverty food” seems amazing today.
My name is Keith Michaud and this is “Letters From Away,” a blog written by a Mainer living outside the comfortable and sane confines of New England. The blog is intended for Mainers, whether they live in the Pine Tree State or beyond, and for anyone who has loved ’em, been baffled by ’em or both. Ayuh, I am “from away.” Worse still, I live on the Left Coast – in California. Enjoy! Or not. Your choice.
Seems weird to us now, but it wasn’t all that long ago in America that mussels were considered unfit to eat.