Naked Roy's Beach
Crassostrea gigas
Suspension-grown Pacific oyster from Samish Bay, Washington. Rich and fruity with hints of rhubarb and sweet notes, balanced by medium brininess. Named after a local character known for perfecting his tan on the beach.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Medium brine with lingering fruit notes
Expert Notes
Naked Roy's Beach oysters are cultivated using suspension line technique in Samish Bay's windward waters, developing a rich, fruity flavor profile that sets them apart from typical Pacific oysters. The distinctive taste combines sweet fruit notes with hints of rhubarb and river humus, balanced by medium brininess. The remarkable shell features extreme frills and a deep pearly interior, similar to Penn Cove Selects from the same bay, reflecting Samish Bay's unique sandy shores and orientation. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea gigas
- Native to
- Japan
- Grown in
- Samish Bay, Northern Puget Sound, Washington
- Size
- Small to Medium (2-3 inches)
- Shell Color
- White with deep pearly interior and extreme frills
- Meat Color
- Cream
What Experts Say
Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: spinach, river humus
"A terrific oyster, fruity and rich, with a nose that mixes rhubarb, spinach, and river humus. The shell has a deep, pearly interior and frills so extreme you wonder how the thing closes."
fruityrichrhubarbspinachriver humus
"Naked Roy's Oysters are rich, sweet, fruity and flavorful with mild brininess."
richsweetfruitymild brininess
"Naked Roy's have a rich, fruity flavor with hints of rhubarb and a medium brininess."
richfruityrhubarbmedium brininess
About the Farm
Named after Naked Roy, a local character who was known for staking out a particular section of sand on Samish Bay and working on his full-body tan. The area is south of a Bellingham beach which for years was known as a nudist beach.
- Cultivation Method
- suspended culture
History & Background
The oyster has been immortalized with the unofficial name of the beach where Naked Roy was known for perfecting his tan. Samish Bay was where the first Pacific oysters grew in 1919 after being tossed from their cargo ship.
The name reflects the colorful local character and the region's history. Despite living in a PC society, the name 'Naked Roy's' continues to be marketed, preserving local heritage.
Did You Know?
- Named after a local sunbather known for perfecting his full-body tan on Samish Bay
- The beach area is south of what was known as a nudist beach near Bellingham
- The shells have frills so extreme you wonder how the thing closes
- Strong resemblance to Penn Cove Select oysters, likely due to both coming from Samish Bay's sandy shores and windward orientation
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 5 sources.
- Naked Roy's Beach - Northern Puget Sound — The Oyster Guide
- Naked Roy's Beach Oyster — Chefs Resources
- Samish Bay - Northern Puget Sound — The Oyster Guide
- Penn Cove Select - Northern Puget Sound — The Oyster Guide
- Northern Puget Sound - Maps — The Oyster Guide
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