Oyster Species
Almost every oyster on the half shell belongs to one of a handful of species. Each one below has its own natural history and flavor signature — explore a species to see all of its varieties in our guide.
Eastern Oyster
Crassostrea virginicaThe Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica): native Atlantic species behind most East Coast varieties. Explore its flavor, range, and the oysters in our guide.
177 oystersPacific Oyster
Crassostrea gigasThe Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas): a fast-growing species from Japan now farmed worldwide. Explore its sweet, fruity flavor and the varieties in our guide.
102 oystersEuropean Flat Oyster
Ostrea edulisThe European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), often called Belon: a round, flat-shelled species prized for its intense metallic, mineral flavor. Explore it here.
6 oystersKumamoto Oyster
Crassostrea sikameaThe Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea): a small, deep-cupped species from Japan beloved for its sweet, mild, fruity flavor. Explore the varieties here.
3 oystersOlympia Oyster
Ostrea luridaThe Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida): the only oyster native to the U.S. West Coast, tiny but intensely flavored with a coppery, metallic finish.
1 oysterSydney Rock Oyster
Saccostrea glomerataThe Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata): a slow-growing species native to Australia, prized for its rich, creamy, savory flavor and long finish.
1 oysterSuminoe Oyster
Crassostrea ariakensisThe Suminoe oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis): a fast-growing oyster native to Asian estuaries, valued for mild flavor and tolerance of brackish water.
1 oysterChilean Flat Oyster
Ostrea chilensisThe Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis): a flat oyster native to Chile and New Zealand, where it is famed as the Bluff oyster. Explore it in our guide.
1 oyster