Cape Spear
Crassostrea virginica
A briny Atlantic Canadian oyster from New Brunswick's Northumberland Strait. Meaty and firm with balanced sweetness, mild seaweed notes, and a crisp, steely finish. Cultivated in floating trays.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Steely, clean aftertaste with lingering seaweed notes
Expert Notes
Cape Spear oysters from New Brunswick's Northumberland Strait are cultivated in floating trays near the bridge to Prince Edward Island. These meaty 3-inch oysters begin with a soft entry on the palate that slowly develops into a briny intensity, balanced by a pleasant sweetness. The firm texture and subtle seaweed notes dissolve into a crisp, steely finish that showcases the clean waters of the Atlantic Canadian Maritimes. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- Canada
- Grown in
- Northumberland Strait, New Brunswick
- Size
- Medium (3 inches)
- Shell Color
- Gray-white
- Meat Color
- Cream to light gray
What Experts Say
Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: seaweed, crunchy, firm, plump
"Clean and salty flavor with a sweet finish. There is a hint of minerality characteristic of oysters from the Atlantic Canadian coast. The oyster's meat is firm and plump. It has a slightly crunchy texture."
cleansaltysweetmineralfirm
"These oysters are known for their briny start, sweet middle, and mineral finish."
brinysweetmineral
"Grown in floating trays on the Southeast shore of New Brunswick, Cape Spear Salts are briny with hints of mineral and seaweed. They have a clean salty finish."
brinymineralseaweedcleansalty
About the Farm
Grown in the nutrient-rich waters near Dipper Harbour, New Brunswick in Canada. The oysters are cultivated on the Southeast shore of New Brunswick in floating trays.
- Cultivation Method
- floating bags
History & Background
Cape Spear Salt oysters are named after Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America. This region, steeped in maritime history, provides the briny, nutrient-rich waters that support the growth of these oysters.
Cape Spear itself derives its name from the Portuguese Cabo d'Espera (Cape of Waiting), a reference to its historical significance as a landmark for early explorers and fishermen.
Did You Know?
- Named after Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America
- The name comes from Portuguese 'Cabo d'Espera' meaning 'Cape of Waiting'
- Grown in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region of Atlantic Canada
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 5 sources.
- Cape Spear Salt Oysters - The Oyster Encyclopedia — oysterencyclopedia.com
- LIVE OYSTERS - Fortune Fish & Gourmet — fortunefishco.net
- LIVE OYSTERS - Fortune Fish & Gourmet — fortunefishco.net
- OysterFinder - The Oyster Guide — oysterguide.com
- The Newfoundlander's motto: 'In Cod We Trust' — southcoasttoday.com
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Learn More
The Big Five: A Complete Guide to Commercial Oyster Species
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