Black Pearl
Crassostrea gigas
Small Pacific oyster with distinctive smooth, dark purple-black shells. Tumbled cultivation produces delicate, deep-cupped shells with mild, buttery meat and a clean nori finish.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Metallic, clean with buttery nori notes
Expert Notes
Black Pearl oysters are cultivated in floating trays or tumbled in flip bags, which polishes their distinctive dark shells to a smooth, lustrous finish. This tumbling process also strengthens the adductor muscle and produces plump, tender meat. The mild, buttery flavor with seaweed and nori notes makes them accessible while their striking appearance adds visual appeal. Light salinity with a subtle metallic finish pairs well with fresh horseradish. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea gigas
- Native to
- Japan
- Grown in
- Quadra Island, BC, Willapa Bay, Washington
- Size
- Small (2-3 inches)
- Shell Color
- Purple and black, smooth, polished
- Meat Color
- Cream to light gray
What Experts Say
Across 3 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: tinny aftertaste, buttery, nori finish
"A solid choice for an oyster. Dainty with a mild flavour, light salinity and metallic finish. Would recommend with fresh horse radish to balance with the tinny aftertaste."
mildlight salinitymetallictinny
"Black Pearl oysters are described as tumbled oysters with smooth, curved shells. They are noted for developing in floating trays with delicate, deep-cupped shells of purple and black."
smoothdelicate
About the Farm
Grown in floating trays in Quadra Island, BC. The oysters are tumbled to produce smooth, polished shells and develop delicate, deep-cupped shells with distinctive purple and black coloration.
- Cultivation Method
- suspended culture
History & Background
Black Pearl is a Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) variety cultivated in British Columbia. The tumbling process produces the oyster's distinctive smooth, dark purple-black shells.
Did You Know?
- The tumbling cultivation method polishes the shells and strengthens the adductor muscle
- Featured in Rowan Jacobsen's Oysters & Chablis pairing guide as a notable Pacific oyster variety
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 3 sources.
- Black Pearl — Oysterater
- Oysters & Chablis: A Pairing Guide — Oyster Guide
- OysterFinder — Oyster Guide
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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 Pacific Oyster (C. gigas): Cream, Cucumber, and the Japanese Legacy
Understanding the world's most cultivated oyster - from Japanese origins to West Coast dominance
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