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Portage Island Oysters

J.P.’s Shellfish has recently started sourcing Portage Island oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada.  The Portage Islands are sourced through the very same fishery which supplies us with our ever-popular Beau Soleil oysters.  In fact, the flavor profile of the Portage Islands is for all intents and purposes identical to that of the Beau Soleil.  Both of the aforementioned varieties explode with a mild sweetness up front, immediately followed by a distinct and remarkably briny finish.  The biggest (pardon the pun) difference between the Beau Soleils and the Portage Islands is the size.  While the diminutive Beau Soleil is classified as a “cocktail” oyster (roughly two-and-a-quarter to two-and-a-half inches), the Portage Islands are a robust and tightly graded out as large choice (three-and-a-half to four inches).  Our Portage Island oysters are grown out in floating ADPI bags in Miramichi Bay (N 47.15/W 65.02).  These plastic mesh bags corral the juvenile oysters, while simultaneously naturally grooming and manicuring them by virtue of the relentless ebb and flow of the current.  The constant motion associated with this method of grow-out keeps the oysters remarkably clean as they chafe against one another.  Additionally, as the bags are suspended at the top of the water column, the oysters are constantly exposed to the sun’s rays.  This exposure effectively causes the Portage Island oysters to thicken their shells in an effort to protect their delicate innards.  Additionally, it takes roughly four to five years for the Portage Island oysters to reach harvest size.  What this means to us is that the shells are exceptionally thick, and shuck easily with a minimum of cracking and or splintering.  Immediately prior to the onset of winter, the entire suspension culture is dropped in the water column, and stabilized just above the bed of Miramichi Bay.  As soon as the sea ice sets in and can bear weight, the aquaculturists employ it as a platform for their winter harvesting operations.  Harvest continues throughout the winter months, and halts when either stocks are depleted, or break-up sets in, and the ice is no longer capable of supporting the weight of the men and equipment required to gather the oysters.  Meats of the Portage Islands of full, firm, and present as well as any oyster.  Yields are exceptional, and it is impossible to lose these oysters on any platter.  The Portage Islands aren’t ridiculously huge; they are a terrific half shell size, and have great aesthetic appeal and presentation value.  Portage Island oysters are hand packed in 100 count wooden boxes, and are available more or less year round.

Please email info@jpshellfish.com or call 207-439-6018 for more information on this and or any other J.P.'s Shellfish product or service.