Oyster Guide: April CSA
Thank you to everyone who signed up for the first month of our Massachusetts Oyster CSA! In this guide, we review each of the oysters featured in our April share. The Katama, Duxbury, and Dennis oysters featured this month all have their own unique brininess level, flavor profile, and texture. You may also find that oysters of the same variety are each a little different. Below we review the basics of these three oysters and some local beer, wine, and cocktail pairings.
Martha’s Vineyard: Signature Oyster Farm
Origin: Katama Bay, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Farmed: 16 - 20 months & available year-round
Average Size: 3"
Flavor Notes: Salty & Sweet
How They’re Grown: These oysters are exposed to the deepest and strongest currents of Katama Bay where they feed on nutrient-rich waters. Signature Oyster Farm describes their oysters as “a salt bomb with a candy finish”.
Local Wine Pairing: We love pairing this salty and sweet oyster with a crisp and refreshing white wine like Westport River Winery’s sauvignon blanc.
Local Beer Pairing: This salty oyster pairs well with a strong IPA such as Lamplighter’s Rabit Rabit Double IPA.
Cocktail Pairing: Try pairing a Mezcal Negroni with these Katamas. The smoky bitter cocktail is a scrumptious contrast to this deepwater oyster.
Photos from Signature Oyster Farm
Duxbury Oysters: 2 Rock Oyster Farm
Origin: Duxbury, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Farmed: 16 - 20 months & available year-round
Average Size: 3"
Flavor Notes: Salty & Kelpy
How They’re Grown: These oysters are grown in chilly waters and influenced by the extreme tides and mudflats of Duxbury. The result is a salty and “kelpy” oyster with vegetal notes and a moderate brine.
Local Wine Pairing: Try mixing this vegetal oyster with a floral rosé such as Truro Vineyard’s 2019.
Local Beer Pairing: The vegetal notes of this oyster pair well with citrusy beers such as Aeronaut’s Double Citra Galaxy.
Cocktail Pairing: Dry floral vermouth cocktails are the perfect match for this salty kelpy oyster. You can’t go wrong pairing this oyster with a classic gin martini.
Photo from 2 Rock Oyster Farm
Dennis Oysters: Bay View Oysters
Origin: Dennis, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Farmed: 36 months & available year-round
Average Size: 3"
Flavor Notes: Sweet & Briny
How They’re Grown: These beautiful open ocean oysters are clean and crisp as a result of 3 slow years of growing in the pristine waters of South Dennis.
Local Wine Pairing: Try mixing this sweet and briny oyster with a clean and crisp white such as a Westport Rivers Blanc Brut.
Local Beer Pairing: We recommend pairing a sour beer with this Dennis oyster. We recommend Remnant Brewery’s Peach Gose, a fruity sour Saison.
Cocktail Pairing: A French 75 is the perfect contrast to this sweet and briny oyster. Go for something bubbly and a little sour.
Photos from Bay View Oysters
This month’s mystery oyster:
Barnstable Oysters: Beach Point Oysters
Origin: Barnstable Harbor, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Farmed: 24 months & available year-round
Average Size: 3"
Flavor Notes: Super Salty
How They’re Grown: These deep-cupped oysters are uniquely grown using an Australian long-line system. While growing, the oysters hang in baskets on a long line that moves with the tide. The oysters are super salty and some people even say they can detect cheesy parmesan notes.
Local Wine Pairing: Ok so this one isn’t locally made but we recommend a dry riesling with this oyster such as Seehof Riesling Trocken which has notes of apple and grapefruit. You can pick this wine up at Social Wines in Cambridge.
Local Beer Pairing: Cambridge Brewing Company’s crisp Perhapsody culture Saison is perfect for these Barnstables.
Cocktail Pairing: This salty oyster begs for a refreshing acidic cocktail such as a Paloma.
Photos from Beach Point Oysters