Malpeque vs Raspberry Point
This is a Canada East Coast matchup of Eastern oysters with very different levels of intensity. The Malpeque (Crassostrea virginica) is a medium oyster with briny and crisp primary flavors, the maximum brininess of 5, sweetness of 1, minerality of 3, creaminess of 2, and a sharp, lingering brine on the finish. The Raspberry Point (Crassostrea virginica) is a large oyster from the same broad Canada East Coast region, with briny and sweet primary flavors, brininess of 4, sweetness and creaminess of 3 each, minerality of 2, and a clean, sweet, refreshing finish. Malpeque is the purist option: bright, salty, crisp, and spare. Raspberry Point is still briny, but its larger size and sweeter, cleaner finish make it more rounded.
| Attribute | Malpeque | Raspberry Point |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Crassostrea virginica | Crassostrea virginica |
| Region | Canada East Coast | Canada East Coast |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Brininess | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Sweetness | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minerality | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Creaminess | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Finish | Sharp, lingering brine | Clean, sweet, refreshing |
| Primary flavors | Briny, Crisp | Briny, Sweet |
The oysters compared
Malpeque
Canada East CoastCanadian icon. Bright salinity, plump meat, crisp and clean.
Raspberry Point
Canada East CoastA substantial PEI oyster with impressive size and balance. Briny with a clean, sweet finish and firm, plump meat.
Which should you choose?
Choose Malpeque if you want the sharper, saltier oyster: brininess 5, sweetness 1, and a lingering brine finish. Choose Raspberry Point if you still like brine but want more size, sweetness, and refreshment, with brininess 4 and sweetness 3. Both are Crassostrea virginica from the Canada East Coast, but Raspberry Point is the more balanced plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Malpeque and Raspberry Point oysters the same species?
Yes. Both are Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, from the Canada East Coast.
Which is saltier, Malpeque or Raspberry Point?
Malpeque is saltier, rating the maximum 5 out of 5 on brininess compared with Raspberry Point at 4 out of 5.
Which is larger?
Raspberry Point is listed as large at 3-3.5 inches, while Malpeque is medium at 2.5-3.5 inches.