Basket Island
Crassostrea virginica
A quintessential Maine oyster from Casco Bay. Medium to large size with classic Northeast salinity, firm texture, and balanced brininess. Clean and refreshing with a perfect cup size.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, refreshing, balanced
Expert Notes
Basket Island oysters have solidified their place as a quintessential Maine oyster, grown just north of Portland off the Royal River in Casco Bay. These oysters showcase classic Northeast salinity with ample brininess that's perfectly balanced—neither overwhelming nor timid. The firm texture and slightly larger size make them an ideal representation of Maine oyster farming, with a refreshing quality that captures the essence of cold northern waters. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Basket Island, Casco Bay, Maine
- Size
- Medium to Large (3-4 inches)
- Shell Color
- Gray-white
- Meat Color
- Light gray to cream
What Experts Say
Across 6 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: classic Northeast salinity, balanced
"Rich w/ sweet & salty flavor. Bottom grown in the cold, clean & crisp waters of Casco Bay these medium sized bivalves are salty, sweet and delicious!"
sweetsaltyrich
"Basket Island oysters have solidified their place as a quintessential Maine oyster. Their flavor is classic Northeast salinity with a perfect cup size: ample but not overwhelming."
brinysaltyclean
"These oysters spend about two weeks in the Basket Island location, where cool, deep water enhances their sweet flavor."
sweet
About the Farm
Basket Island Oyster Company
Est. 2012Founded by Mark Green, who holds a PhD in Oceanography and was researching ocean acidification's impact on bivalves. Started with just 10,000 baby oyster seeds and grew to selling 250,000 oysters by 2019.
- Cultivation Method
- bottom culture
History & Background
The farm was established in 2012 after founder Mark Green's research on ocean acidification revealed the important role shellfish farming can have in reducing acidification.
Basket Island oysters have solidified their place as a quintessential Maine oyster and are a staple in Maine's oyster culture, particularly in the Portland area.
Did You Know?
- The farm has grown from 10,000 seeds in 2012 to 250,000 oysters sold in 2019, with a goal of reaching 1,000,000 oysters
- Oysters are grown in Casco Bay's Broad Cove, located off Basket Island in the Calendar Islands region
- The operation has grown to 4 members strong including founder Mark Green, Lane Hubacz, Emmett, and Hillevi
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 6 sources.
- Basket Island Oysters — The Maine Oyster Company
- Your Guide to Peak Oyster Season — Allagash Brewing Company
- An oyster's journey from sea to table — Portland Press Herald
- Basket Island's Out-Of-State Marketing — Island Institute
- OysterFinder — The Oyster Guide
- Maine scallop farmers get the hang of Japanese technique — Global Seafood Alliance
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Learn More
The Big Five: A Complete Guide to Commercial Oyster Species
Comprehensive guide to C. virginica (Atlantic), C. gigas (Pacific), C. sikamea (Kumamoto), O. lurida (Olympia), and O. edulis (European Flat)
Read article → Biology & SpeciesThe Atlantic Oyster (C. virginica): From Maritime Brine to Gulf Sweetness
Deep dive into America's indigenous East Coast oyster - flavor profiles, regional variations, and famous varieties
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