Conway Cup
Crassostrea virginica
A deeply cupped Prince Edward Island oyster from Cascumpec Bay. Sweet and delicate with mild brininess and a clean finish. Bottom-grown on sandy substrate for firm, full meats.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, sweet, refreshing
Expert Notes
Conway Cup oysters are bottom-grown on the sandy floor of Cascumpec Bay, where the Foxley River empties into the bay. These well-defined, deeply cupped oysters develop full, firm meats with a delicate sweetness and mild salinity. The clean finish and balanced flavor profile make them an excellent half-shell variety, showcasing the pristine waters of Prince Edward Island with a refined, approachable character. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Cascumpec Bay, Prince Edward Island
- Size
- Medium (3-3.5 inches)
- Shell Color
- White with pastel greenish hue
- Meat Color
- Light gray to cream
What Experts Say
Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: pastel greenish hue, ocean-fresh, tender, juicy, balanced
"Conway Cup Oysters have deep cups and full meats with a mild brininess and a clean, sweet finish."
mildbrinycleansweet
"These oysters are deep cupped and well defined with a pastel greenish hue. The meats are full with a mildly salty flavor and a sweet clean finish."
mildly saltysweetclean
"These deep-cupped oysters are a terrific half shell variety. The Conway's mild salinity pairs well with a sweet finish."
mild salinitysweet
"Medium cups and moderate salinity."
moderate salinity
"They were mild salinity, deep cup, sweet finish, meaty, tender, juicy and ocean-fresh tasting."
mild salinitysweetmeatytenderjuicy
"Low salinity, fresh and mild with a pleasant oyster flavor and slight sweetness. So balanced this is a new favorite."
low salinityfreshmildslight sweetnessbalanced
About the Farm
Atlantic Aqua Farms
Conway Cups are grown on the sandy bottom of Cascumpec Bay, which is the body of water that the Foxley River empties into.
- Cultivation Method
- bottom culture
History & Background
Popular half shell variety from Prince Edward Island's Northwestern region, sourced from the Foxley River area near Cascumpec Bay.
Did You Know?
- The shells often display a pastel greenish hue
- Available July through February
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 5 sources.
- Conway Cup Oysters — Atlantic Aqua Farms
- Conway Cup Oysters - Chefs Resources — Chefs Resources
- Live Oysters - Fortune Fish & Gourmet — Fortune Fish & Gourmet
- Oysters - DiCarlo Seafood — DiCarlo Seafood
- Conway Cup Oyster — Oysterater
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
Read article → Merroir & EnvironmentWhat is Merroir? The Science of How Environment Shapes Oyster Flavor
Understanding merroir - the marine equivalent of terroir - and how water chemistry creates flavor
Read article →