Gay Island
Crassostrea virginica
Genetically unique Maine oyster grown in the open ocean near Cushing Harbor. Intensely briny with a bracing North Atlantic flavor, balanced by sweet notes and a touch of sugar. Pale tan shells layered like phyllo.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, crisp, bracing North Atlantic character
Expert Notes
Gay Island oysters are exceptional 'beach oysters' grown in the open ocean south of Cushing Harbor with almost no freshwater influence. Cultivated in floating trays on the surface, they develop an intensely briny, bracing North Atlantic flavor reminiscent of choking on a wave while bodysurfing, yet balanced with sweet, mouthwatering notes and a touch of sugar. Genetically unique from other Maine oysters, the Lynde family spawns their own seed annually, resulting in distinctive pale tan shells layered like phyllo. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Cushing Harbor, Meduncook River, Maine
- Size
- Medium (3-4 inches)
- Shell Color
- Pale tan, layered like phyllo
- Meat Color
- Light gray
What Experts Say
Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: like when you're a kid and choke on a wave while bodysurfing, smooth creamy finish, beach oysters
"With almost no freshwater influence, Gay Islands have a bracing North Atlantic flavor that comes from the fully marine environment and the fact that they are grown in floating trays on the surface. They can be intensely briny, like when you're a kid and choke on a wave while bodysurfing, but they also can be sweet and mouthwatering."
brinysweetNorth Atlanticmarine
"With no real freshwater influence, Gay Islands have a light, clean North Atlantic flavor that comes from the fully marine environment."
lightcleanNorth Atlanticmarine
"Our oysters have been kissed by the tides and blessed by the tides, developing a taste that has been described as clean, crisp, briny with a smooth creamy finish."
cleancrispbrinycreamysmooth
"A wonderfully crisp, briny fellow."
crispbriny
About the Farm
Gay Island Oyster Farm
The Metzmakers took over the oyster farm in 2014. The oysters are grown by the Lynde family, who spawn their own seed each year, resulting in a unique stock of oyster adapted to the highly oceanic conditions.
- Cultivation Method
- floating bags
History & Background
Gay Island oysters are grown in floating bags near Cushing Harbor and the eponymous Gay Island in the Meduncook River. The Lynde family pioneered spawning their own seed each year, creating a genetically unique stock of oyster. The farm was taken over by Jeff and Deb Metzmaker in 2014.
Featured in gourmet oyster dinners and paired with Maine ales. Part of the Maine Oyster Trail, which promotes tourism and local oyster farms.
Did You Know?
- Genetically unique oysters - the Lynde family spawns their own seed each year
- Grown in the open ocean with almost no freshwater influence
- Pale tan shells layered like phyllo, distinct from other Maine oysters which often have black stripes
- Can be ordered directly from the family that grows them
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 5 sources.
- Gay Island: A Maine Oyster of Another Sort — The Oyster Guide
- Gay Island Oyster Farm — Down East Magazine
- Gay Island Oyster — Oysterater
- Maine Oyster Roundup — The Oyster Guide
- Explore the Maine Oyster Trail, eat fresh Maine oysters! — Untamed Mainer
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Learn More
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