Okeover
Crassostrea gigas
Sweet, balanced Pacific oyster from Okeover Inlet in Desolation Sound, BC. Fresh crisp sweetness with light-salty brine and a clean finish. Grown in nutrient-rich waters with distinctive deep shells.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Light-salty brine with fresh, clean aftertaste
Expert Notes
Okeover oysters from Desolation Sound's pristine waters showcase a fresh crisp sweetness followed by a light-salty brine that reflects the nutrient-rich tidal flush of the inlet. These Pacific oysters are cultivated using floating culture and beach hardening methods, resulting in full, rich meats with distinctive deep shells and beautiful fluted edges. The sweet, well-balanced profile with a kiwi-like finish makes them exceptionally approachable. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea gigas
- Native to
- Japan
- Grown in
- Okeover Inlet, Desolation Sound, British Columbia
- Size
- Small to Medium (2.5-4 inches)
- Shell Color
- White to light gray with fluted edges
- Meat Color
- Cream to light tan
What Experts Say
Across 7 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: cucumber-like, metallic, light-salty brine
"Fresh crisp sweetness followed by a light-salty brine"
sweetcrisplight-saltybriny
"Fresh, cucumber-like flavor with delicate sweetness and clean taste"
cucumbersweetcleandelicate
"Distinctively salty, metallic flavour"
saltymetallic
About the Farm
Okeover Organic Oysters
Est. 1997Started in 1997 by André Comeau and Chris Roberts, the company uses no chemicals during oyster production, ensuring completely natural shellfish.
- Cultivation Method
- floating bags
- Certifications
- Ocean Wise
History & Background
Okeover Inlet is located in Desolation Sound on the upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. The area's cool, nutrient-rich coastal waters provide ideal conditions for growing high-quality shellfish. Okeover is also known for being the location where Keith Reid farms European Flat oysters (Belons), the only such farm in BC.
Okeover Inlet is part of British Columbia's rich shellfish farming tradition, located in the isolated wilderness of Desolation Sound. The region is known for producing some of the highest-quality shellfish found on menus around the world.
Did You Know?
- Okeover Organic Oysters are completely chemical-free and naturally grown
- The same inlet is home to the only European Flat oyster (Belon) farm in British Columbia
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 7 sources.
- An Expert's Guide to Canadian Live Oysters — Intercity Packers
- Okeover Organic Oysters — Chefs Resources
- Okeover Organic Oysters — FishChoice
- Oysters — Chewies Oyster Bar Vancouver
- Canadian Oysters in August — The Oyster Guide
- Shell of a crop grown on shore — The Western Producer
- Our Farms — Fanny Bay Oysters
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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 Pacific Oyster (C. gigas): Cream, Cucumber, and the Japanese Legacy
Understanding the world's most cultivated oyster - from Japanese origins to West Coast dominance
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 →