Nova Scotia is the foodie province on Canada's Atlantic coast. It is known for freshly caught seafood such as: snow crabs, scallops and of course lobster. But wine lovers also get their money's worth, as small wineries spread across the province produce internationally award-winning wines. Plus, Nova Scotia is Canada's largest fruit supplier to Europe, and what would Nova Scotia be without its wild blueberries?
Nova Scotia offers a diverse range of high-quality seafood and processed seafood products, from the world-famous Canadian hard-shell lobster and scallops to snow crabs and cold-water shrimp.
Unique are the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail (Chowder is a creamy fish soup) and the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail, two gourmet discovery routes dedicated entirely to feasting.
Visit the website of Nova Scotia Seafood and learn more about seafood from Nova Scotia.
In our recipe section you'll find delicious recipes from Nova Scotia's cuisine that you can easily prepare at home.
There is a long tradition of lobster fishing on the rugged Atlantic coast. Appreciated for its hard shell and firm meat, Canadian lobster is caught in cold, clean waters along the coast by thousands of independent fishermen — and always stands for the highest quality. The lobsters from Nova Scotia are sorted by size and weight and then shipped alive all over the world. The rest is processed into high-quality fresh and frozen products, which are also sold internationally. The short period of time between catch and processing ensures that the lobster tastes as fresh as the day it was caught.
Nova Scotia's lobster fishing areas are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world's leading certification and eco-label program for wild, sustainable seafood.
Lobster meat is very high in protein and low in fat. Further information such as cooking instructions, recipes and detailed nutritional information can be found here.
The scallop from Nova Scotia, particularly appreciated for its delicious and juicy meat, is harvested in the cold, clean waters of the Atlantic and is clustered together on the sandy gravel beds of the sea. The mussels, also known as giant mussels, are probably best known for their beautiful and distinctive circular shell, which can grow up to 20 cm in size.
Most offshore catches in Nova Scotia are shelled at sea and either frozen immediately or stored wet. During the shelling process, the scallop's shell is cracked open with a knife, and the muscle meat is removed.
Scallops harvested in Nova Scotia are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
More information about scallops, such as recipes or nutritional information, can be found here.
Wild blueberries are one of the official symbols of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada's largest supplier of blueberries to Europe. Each year, an average of 30 million kilograms are produced here and exported all over the world. Wild blueberries are juicy, sweet and rich in the plant pigment anthocyanin, which colors flowers and fruits red, purple or bluish — hence the name “blueberry.” According to scientific studies, they can, among other things, have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Wild blueberries only grow particularly well in very specific climate zones — such as Nova Scotia. They cannot be planted and have been harvested for food and healing purposes by the Mi'kmaq, the indigenous people of the region, for more than 10,000 years.
Whether you're looking for retail, wholesale, hospitality or small niche products, Nova Scotia has something for you. All drinks are made with particular passion and care; they are as authentic as they are of high quality.
Nova Scotia is home to award-winning distilleries, wineries, ciders and breweries, where you can choose from a wide range of beers, ciders, wines, spirits, and more. The province is particularly proud to create drinks with maritime flavors and influences.
Locally, you can visit the Nova Scotia Good Cheer Trail, Canada's first and only wine cellar, brewery, distillery, cider and mead trail with almost 90 stops, through the various beverage categories.
Distilleries
The traditional distilleries of the Atlantic Province produce award-winning spirits such as gin, rum, vodka and whisky worldwide.
Wineries
Nova Scotia is Canada's oldest wine region and can look back on over 400 years of history. The province has become one of the world's leading wine regions with a cool climate. Local wineries have won over 200 national and international awards. The prevailing coastal breeze and cooler climate have produced, among other things, the well-known Tidal Bay wines, North America's first appellation. Tidal Bay is a fresh white wine that goes perfectly with the famous seafood from Nova Scotia.
Craft Breweries
With over 60 craft breweries, Nova Scotia exports beers that are recognized for their world-class quality.
Cider Companies
The long history of apple growing and the wide range of different varieties allow the province to produce delicious ciders for all tastes.
Nova Scotia's pristine nature, clean water, and abundant fruit production have also given rise to a vibrant soft drink export industry in the province. High-quality and delicious fruit juices, fermented drinks and liquid nutritional supplements are just a few of the products on offer.
Geographically speaking, Nova Scotia is a fairly small region, but it has a particular variety of flavors to offer. The food and drinks here not only reflect exceptional regional taste — it is the people who stand behind the products that make them special. The manufacturers are absolute experts in their craft - and because big things happen in small towns, the province is proud to share the taste of their homeland with the world and has therefore launched the “Small Place, Big Taste” campaign.
A list of agricultural products from Nova Scotia that are available for export can be found in the provincial export directory at: http://www.smallplacebigtaste.com/.
As you can see, a trip to Nova Scotia is perfect for the foodies among you — because indulgence is a top priority here! The Taste of Nova Scotia app, with just one click, offers a selection of over 200 establishments that can quickly become your new favourite places to eat and drink. For example, you can read about the ten dishes you must try in Nova Scotia here.
Nova Scotia's impressive food scene is also reflected in the fact that three of the top ten new restaurants in Canada in 2023 can be found in the atlantic province.
Seasonal direct flights between Germany and Halifax are perfect for a great first-hand foodie experience. You can buy your tickets at Air Canada, Condor, for example or book Eurowings Discover. You can find more information about the Atlantic rovince on the German website of Tourism Nova Scotia.