Shoal Bay Flat
Ostrea edulis
The only European Flat oyster grown on the West Coast, cultivated by the Jones family on Lopez Island. Rare and coveted, with a pleasant metallic twang, sharp mineral notes, and the crisp-clean salinity of San Juan Island waters. Exceedingly limited supply.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Sharp, clean, crisp with pleasant metallic twang
Expert Notes
Currently the only European Flat oyster grown on the West Coast, Shoal Bay Flats are exceedingly rare and ridiculously coveted. Hatched and grown by the Jones family in their tidal lagoon on Lopez Island, these oysters spend about three years in subtidal trays developing the characteristic metallic twang of European Flats, but at a tolerable, even pleasant level thanks to their modest size and the salty, crisp-clean waters of the San Juan Islands. The sharp, mineral-forward profile is balanced by a mild fruity finish typical of Pacific Northwest oysters. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Ostrea edulis
- Native to
- Europe
- Grown in
- Shoal Bay, Lopez Island, San Juan Islands, Washington
- Size
- Small to Medium (2-3 inches)
- Shell Color
- Gray-white with round-flat profile
- Meat Color
- Cream to light tan
What Experts Say
Across 3 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: pleasant metallic twang, modest size, San Juan Islands waters
"My favorite Flats. These have the metallic twang of any flat, but tamped down to a tolerable, even pleasant, level, thanks to their modest size and the salty, crisp-clean waters of the San Juan Islands."
metallicsaltycrispclean
"These oysters are prized. Among the very few producers that grow them in the U.S. is Jones Family Farms on Lopez Island whose Shoal Bay flat is prized."
About the Farm
Jones Family Farms
The Jones family of Lopez Island hatches European Flat oysters in their hatchery and plants them in their own tidal lagoon, where they live out their lives in subtidal trays. These are among the very few producers that grow European Flats in the U.S.
- Cultivation Method
- suspended culture
History & Background
Currently the only European Flat oyster being grown on the West Coast. European Flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) are also known as Belon, referring to the river in France that grows the finest. They are the native oyster of Europe and are an entirely different genus from other oysters.
These are considered the rarest oysters in the world and are ridiculously coveted. They are exceedingly hard to grow, resulting in extremely limited supply.
Did You Know?
- Currently the only European Flat oyster grown on the West Coast
- The rarest oysters in the world with exceedingly limited supply
- Grown in subtidal trays in a tidal lagoon on Lopez Island
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 3 sources.
- Shoal Bay Flat Oyster — OysteRater
- A Field Guide to Pacific Oysters — Seattle Magazine
- European Flat Species Oysters — OysteRater
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