Dennis
Crassostrea virginica
Cape Cod Bay oyster from South Dennis, Massachusetts. Plump meat with high brininess balanced by sweetness. Three years of growth in pristine open ocean waters create a rich, clean, and savory flavor profile.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, savory, rich
Expert Notes
Dennis oysters are cultivated in the pristine waters of Cape Cod Bay, taking three slow years to develop their distinctive character. These beautiful open ocean oysters showcase plump meat with high brininess balanced by notable sweetness. The extended growing period in clean, cold Cape Cod waters produces a rich, supple texture with a clean, savory finish that captures the essence of Massachusetts oyster farming. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Cape Cod Bay, South Dennis, Massachusetts, Barnstable Harbor, Massachusetts
- Size
- Medium to Large (3-3.5 inches)
- Shell Color
- Gray-white
- Meat Color
- Cream
What Experts Say
Across 8 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: baby carrots, well-seasoned tenderloin, umami
"Dennis, a town on the flexing bicep of Cape Cod, grows some of its most quintessential oysters—briny, rich, and supple, like a well-seasoned tenderloin. Grown by John and Stephanie Lowell of East Dennis Oyster Farm, these deep-cupped bivalves give you everything you'd expect from a Wellfleet—more reliably."
brinyrichsuppledeep-cupped
"Plump meats with medium brine and a clean finish."
plumpmedium brineclean
"Bay Views have a beautifully consistent cull, pearly white shells and remarkably deep cups. A taste reveals a quick burst of salt and sweet baby carrots on the finish."
saltysweetbaby carrotsdeep cup
"These beautiful open ocean oysters are clean and crisp as a result of 3 slow years of growing in pristine open ocean waters creating a rich, clean, and savory flavor profile. Sweet & Briny."
cleancrisprichsavorysweet
"These oysters pack a rich umami flavor, and finish with clean mineral notes. 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."
richumamicleanmineralplump
"Sweet meat with a crisp and clean finish. Plump and firm texture."
sweetcrispcleanplumpfirm
About the Farm
East Dennis Oyster Farm
Est. 2005Founded by John and Stephanie Lowell, East Dennis Oyster Farm grows award-winning trademarked Dennis Oysters™ in Cape Cod Bay. The farm has shucked over 2.75 million oysters since 2005 and won Best Oyster at the Cape Cod Oyster Festival.
- Cultivation Method
- rack and bag
History & Background
Dennis oysters are grown in the town of Dennis on Cape Cod's 'flexing bicep.' The area has become a significant oyster farming region with nearly 32 farms lining the coast. East Dennis Oyster Farm's trademarked Dennis Oysters™ won Best Oyster at the Cape Cod Oyster Festival, vanquishing famous competitors.
Dennis oysters represent quintessential Cape Cod oyster characteristics and have been featured in specialty oyster stouts by Devil's Purse Brewery, showcasing their cultural significance in the region.
Did You Know?
- East Dennis Oyster Farm shucks 2000 oysters per day during season and has shucked over 2.75 million oysters since 2005
- Dennis Oysters™ are trademarked signature oysters sold for $1.50 each at The Oyster Company until 6:30pm daily
- Dennis oysters were featured in Devil's Purse Brewery's Intertidal Oyster Stout, with six-dozen oysters added to the brewing process
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 8 sources.
- Dennis — The Oyster Guide
- Whitecap Oyster - Oysterology Online — Pangea Shellfish Company
- Bay View Oysters from Dennis, MA — Island Creek Oysters
- Oyster Guide: April CSA — Shellfish Broker
- Big Rock Oysters (MA) — Element Seafood
- The Oyster Company - Dennis Port, Cape Cod — The Oyster Company
- Devil's Purse Oyster Stout — The Oyster Guide
- East Coast Vs West Coast Oysters: Tasting Guide — Crave Fishbar
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 →