East Dennis
Crassostrea virginica
Large, plump Cape Cod oysters from Quivet Neck with exceptional balance. Medium brine meets strong umami and sweet mineral notes for a clean, savory finish. Rack-and-bag cultivated since 2003.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, sweet mineral finish
Expert Notes
East Dennis oysters are hands-down favorites among Cape Cod varieties, showcasing exceptional balance between high brine and strong umami oyster flavor. Cultivated by John Lowell in off-bottom rack-and-bag trays on the intertidal flats off Quivet Neck since 2003, these oysters develop remarkably plump meats with a distinctive savory character. The medium brine is beautifully complemented by notes of umami and a clean, sweet mineral finish that reflects the nutrient-rich waters of Cape Cod Bay. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Quivet Neck, East Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Size
- Large (3-3.5 inches)
- Shell Color
- Hard, clean shells
- Meat Color
- Plump, cream-colored
What Experts Say
Across 8 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: supple, well-seasoned tenderloin, deep-cupped
"This is hands-down my favorite Cape, and probably Eastern, oyster. Great balance of high brine and strong 'umami' oyster flavor with very plump meats. The Lowell's take great care in selecting oysters to ship so shells are very consistent in size and shape. They also shuck nice and clean since the shells are hard."
brinyumamiplump
"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. These deep-cupped bivalves give you everything you'd expect from a Wellfleet—more reliably. In fact, they won Best Oyster at the Cape Cod Oyster Festival, vanquishing some famous competitors."
brinyrichsuppledeep-cupped
"Husband and wife duo John and Stephanie Lowell grow their oysters on a modest one-acre parcel at Crowes Pasture beach."
"Red Raiders from Crowe's Pasture Beach – East Dennis, MA 3.5"/ Simply pure"
cleanpure
About the Farm
East Dennis Oyster Farm
Est. 2003John and Stephanie Lowell grow their highly sought-after oysters on a modest one-acre parcel at Crowes Pasture beach in Quivet Neck, Cape Cod. Their oysters won Best Oyster at the Cape Cod Oyster Festival.
- Cultivation Method
- rack and bag
History & Background
East Dennis oysters are grown at Crowes Pasture Beach where the Quivett Creek and Cape Cod Bay meet, one of the few protected marine nurseries in the area. The Lowells have been cultivating oysters since 2003 in this location on the 'flexing bicep' of Cape Cod.
East Dennis oysters won Best Oyster at the Cape Cod Oyster Festival, defeating famous competitors. They have been featured in Devil's Purse Brewery's Intertidal Oyster Stout and showcased at Oysterpalooza events in Hyannis.
Did You Know?
- Won Best Oyster at Cape Cod Oyster Festival
- Featured in Devil's Purse Brewery's Intertidal Oyster Stout
- Grown on a modest one-acre parcel at Crowes Pasture beach
- The farm is run by husband and wife duo John and Stephanie Lowell
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 8 sources.
- East Dennis - Oysterater — Oysterater
- Dennis - The Oyster Guide — The Oyster Guide
- Here's Your Ultimate Summer Guide to New England Oysters — Boston Magazine
- Cape Cod Aquaculture: Cape Cod Shellfish Farms — Cape Cod Xplore
- Devil's Purse Oyster Stout - The Oyster Guide — The Oyster Guide
- Oysterpalooza October 28 in Hyannis - The Oyster Guide — The Oyster Guide
- East Coast Oysters - 2024 - Catanese Classic Seafood — Catanese Classic Seafood
- PATRIOT OYSTERS - BST Seafood — BST Seafood
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Learn More
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