Oyster Guide: July CSA

Thank you to everyone who signed up for this month’s Massachusetts Oyster CSA! The Truro, Eastham, and Nauset Inlet 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.

Truro: Wicked Good Oyster Company

Origin: Truro, Massachusetts

Farmed: 12 - 24 months

Average Size: 2.5’

Flavor Notes: Briny & Crisp

How They’re Grown: These oysters are grown with a floating bag and rack system so they never touch the bottom of the seafloor. These oysters are exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide. 

Wine Pairing: Try pairing this briny and crisp oyster with a sweet white such as Newport Vines Island Grape.

Beer Pairing: We recommend Cambridge Brewing Company’s Surprise Truck IPA to contrast this oyster’s crisp brine.

Cider Pairing: Far From the Tree Cider’s Ricky Cherry Lime Cider is a perfect match for this oyster.

Cocktail Pairing: Try pairing this brine bomb with a classic French 75.

Provincetown: First Landing Oysters

Origin: Provincetown, Massachusetts

Farmed: 12 - 24 months

Average Size: 3’

Flavor Notes: Balanced & Briny

Wine Pairing: This briny, balanced oyster is the perfect complement to a Newport Vines barrel-fermented Chardonnay.

Beer Pairing: We love pairing this briny oyster with hearty beer like Lamplighter’s Giants Under the Sun Helles Lager.

Cider Pairing: Try a dry cider such as Ragged Hill’s Traditional Dry with this hearty oyster.

Cocktail Pairing: Try a classic gin and tonic with dry gin and a wedge of lime.

Nauset Inlet: Outer Beach Shellfish

Origin: Nauset Inlet, Massachusetts

Farmed: 12 - 24 months

Average Size: 3’

Flavor Notes: Crisp & Salty

How They’re Grown: These oysters are grown with a floating bag and rack system so they never touch the bottom of the seafloor. They are exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide. 

Wine Pairing: We love pairing this salty burst of ocean with Cape Cod Winery’s Vineyard Sound Sauvignon Blanc.

Beer Pairing: We recommend Metric System Gose Sour from Lamplighter to contrast this salt bomb.

Cider Pairing: Try a citrusy and fresh cider such as Artifact’s Slow Down (which just so happens to have oysters on the packaging).

Cocktail Pairing: Try opting for a sweet acidic such as a classic Daiquiri.