The 4 Types of Oysters You'll Find at the Store

By Anthony Lin

Intro

Not all oysters are created equally. And while the concept of a clam that occasionally has a pearl inside of them remains pretty constant throughout, there are some distinct varieties of oysters that are stocked in tanks across the country. Some of them range from milder to stronger and brinier, from smaller varieties to bigger ones. Here we'll go over the 4 more common oyster varieties that you'd find in stores in the United States. 

Pacific Oysters

On the west coast, this is the most dominant oyster variety around. Even oysters like Shigoku, Kusshi, and Shibumi are technically pacific oysters or a variety of pacific oyster. They have a long shelf life which contributes to their popularity in shelves and tanks in West Coast stores. These guys have a huge variance in size, taste, and appearance depending on where they were raised in particular (and they grow basically everywhere), but on average they get harvested at 2-3 inches and they have a noticeable sweetness to them that other oyster varieties don't have.

This is also the variety that we typically have in stock for most of the year. You can check them out here: 1 Dozen Pacific Oysters | Shucked Oyster Meat

Kumamoto Oysters

Another popular option on the West Coast, the Kumamoto is a bit pickier in its environment and cultivation hasn't caught up with its cousin the Pacific oyster. These oysters have a more consistent mild flavor compared to Pacific oysters, which makes them perfect for introducing to those less familiar with eating oysters. 

Eastern Oysters

For folks on the East Coast, this is their default oyster. They grow up and down the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada all the way down to Florida and the Mexican coast, but tend to cluster in the Chesapeake Bay region. Typically the largest oysters in the tank at 3-5 inches at the time of being harvested, eastern oysters have a more distinct briny flavor and are a tad stronger than the west coast varieties. 

European Flat Oysters

These guys originated off the coasts of Great Britain and spread throughout the Black and Mediterranean seas before jumping the pond and making it to the US. Having been cultivated since before the Roman empire, they've enjoyed a long history in the spotlight. These oysters are actually the rarest variety in stores, in fact depending on where you are in Europe you're more likely to find Eastern or Pacific oysters and their variants. These oysters have the strongest savory flavor of the main oyster varieties, for centuries they've been paired with strong alcoholic beverages like stout.