Row 34
Crassostrea virginica
An innovative rack-and-bag oyster from Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts. Clean and crisp with strong briny minerality, nutty umami notes, and less vegetal character than bottom-planted varieties. Named after the experimental 34th row of oyster trays.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Clean, crisp, salty splash
Expert Notes
Row 34 oysters represent an innovative approach to oyster cultivation from Island Creek Oysters. Raised in floating bags and trays rather than bottom-planted, these oysters develop a cleaner, more delicate profile than their Island Creek cousins. The rack-and-bag method produces less vegetal and earthy flavors, resulting in a crisp, mineral-forward oyster with strong briny notes upfront and distinctive nutty, umami characteristics. The cold, salty waters of Duxbury Bay impart a signature minerality and clean finish. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts, Back River, Duxbury
- Size
- Medium (2.5-3 inches)
- Shell Color
- White to gray
- Meat Color
- Light gray to cream
What Experts Say
Across 6 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: less vegetal than Island Creek, less umami, less earthy, splash of saltwater
"The Row 34's are a bit cleaner than the Island Creeks. Still briny, but less vegetal, earthy flavors because they are not bottom planted. Clean, crisp with mineral notes. A splash of saltwater."
cleanbrinycrispmineralless vegetal
"Such an interesting comparison with traditional Island Creeks. Less earth, less umami, more (perceived) brine. Different shells, too. This is a great example of how simple technique can change an oyster."
brinyless earthyless umami
"Plump and creamy"
plumpcreamy
"A new variety of oyster from Island Creek that instead of being bottom-planted for its final grow-out stage, is kept in rack and bag, leading to a more delicate shell and flavor."
delicate
"These oysters never touch the bay floor, giving them a unique taste: briny and delicate with crisp mineral notes and a splash of saltwater."
brinydelicatecrispmineral
"The Row 34's are a bit cleaner than the Island Creeks. Still briny, but less vegetal, earthy flavors because they are not bottom planted. Clean, crisp with mineral notes. A splash of saltwater. Salinity: 5 out of 10 (a touch saltier than the Island Creeks)"
cleanbrinycrispmineralsalty
About the Farm
Island Creek Oysters
Est. 1995Founded by Skip Bennett in Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts. Skip's first 'pivot' from his original Island Creek Oysters - he decided to leave the 34th row in trays for the whole grow-out process instead of bottom-planting them, creating a distinct oyster that showcases the 'hand of the grower' in the final product.
- Cultivation Method
- rack and bag
History & Background
Row 34 oysters originated as an experiment by Skip Bennett, who normally bottom-plants Island Creek oysters at six months of age. Instead, he kept the oysters in the 34th row of trays for their entire grow-out process, creating a distinct flavor profile that demonstrated how cultivation technique affects taste. The oysters proved so popular that the experiment expanded beyond row 34 to rows 35, 36, 37, and beyond.
The Row 34 oyster inspired the naming of the Row 34 restaurant chain across New England, emphasizing the connection between local oyster farming and seafood culture in Massachusetts.
Did You Know?
- Named after the experimental 34th row of oyster trays on Skip Bennett's farm
- During winter, the seed is stored under Skip's dad's barn where they hibernate below 40 degrees
- A perfect example of 'merroir' - oysters grown right next to Island Creek Oysters in the same water but with completely different flavor due to cultivation method
- Row 34 trays are stacked three high and oysters are hand-tumbled between trays several times per week
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 6 sources.
- Row 34 Oysters from Duxbury, MA — Island Creek Oysters
- Row 34 Oyster — Oysterater
- Row 34 | Seafood Restaurant in MA and NH — Row 34
- Elm Square Oyster Co - Oysters — Elm Square Oyster Co
- Oyster of the Month: Island Creek Oysters Row 34 — Kowalski's Markets
- Row 34 Large Oysters from Duxbury, MA — Island Creek 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 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 →