Big Rock
Crassostrea virginica
Aquatray-grown Cape Cod oyster with thick shells and plump, savory meats. Crisp and salty with rich umami flavor, prominent brininess, and clean mineral finish. Named for a boulder on the beach where they're cultivated.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, crisp mineral notes
Expert Notes
Named for a large boulder on the beach where they're grown, Big Rock oysters are raised on the tidal flats of Cape Cod Bay and cultivated in Aquatrays for 2-3 years. These powerful oysters develop thick, strong shells and plump meats that neatly fill their cups with a splash of ocean-y liquor. The dense, delicate texture carries rich umami flavors with prominent salinity, finishing with clean mineral notes that reflect the icy, brackish waters of their Cape Cod origin. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- East Dennis, Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
- Size
- Small to Medium (2-3.5 inches)
- Shell Color
- White with clean appearance
- Meat Color
- Light gray to cream
What Experts Say
Across 6 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: mineral, ocean-y liquor, crisp
"Nice blend of salty and sweet. Firm meats. Clean throughout."
saltysweetcleanfirm
"Clean great flavor just the right amount of briny flavor"
cleanbriny
"Solid. Clean."
clean
"Very salty. Not much flavor"
salty
"We are huge fans of Big Rock oysters for their plump meats that neatly fill their cups, leaving just enough room for a splash of ocean-y liquor. These oysters pack a rich umami flavor, and finish with clean mineral notes."
plumpumamicleanmineral
"crisp and salty with a firm texture"
crispsaltyfirm
About the Farm
Big Rock Oyster Company
Est. 2001A family-owned and operated company that began raising oysters on a grant from the town of Dennis in 2001, starting with 10,000 oyster seeds and growing into a dynamic seafood wholesaler specializing in shellfish on Cape Cod.
- Cultivation Method
- off-bottom culture
History & Background
Big Rock oysters have been raised on the tidal flats of Cape Cod Bay near East Dennis, MA since 2002. The company started with 10,000 oyster seeds in 2001, and two years later had enough grown to share the first harvest with families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Named for a large boulder that sits on the beach where they're grown at Crowes Pasture in Dennis, Massachusetts.
Did You Know?
- Started with just 10,000 oyster seeds in 2001
- First harvest shared with families at Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Grown in Aquatrays which ensure clean, strong shells that are easy to open
- The company also sells oysters under the brand name 'Mayflower Point Oysters'
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 6 sources.
- Big Rock Oyster - Oysterater — Oysterater
- Big Rock Oysters (MA) - Element Seafood — Element Seafood
- East Coast Vs West Coast Oysters: The Crave Fishbar Tasting Guide — Crave Fishbar
- Quality Oysters - Big Rock Oyster Company — Big Rock Oyster Company
- How many oyster varieties are there in the world? — Pangea Shellfish
- East Coast Oysters - 2024 - Catanese Classic Seafood — Catanese Classic Seafood
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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
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