"Lobster has become known as the expensive shellfish you might have if it's a special occasion or that you're willing to fork out a bit of money to enjoy. You may be surprised to know that they used to be called the cockroaches of the sea."
"During colonial times and slavery, lobster was mostly reserved for enslaved people, indentured servants, and prisoners. It wasn't until the development of the railways that lobsters would become fashionable and even sought after."
Historically, the classification of luxury foods has been influenced by elite classes and power dynamics. As certain foods become accessible to the masses, they often lose their status among the wealthy. Conversely, some ingredients once deemed unappetizing or poor man's food have gained luxury status. Lobster, once considered the 'cockroaches of the sea,' was reserved for the lower classes until railways popularized it among affluent train passengers, transforming its perception and value in society.
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