SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL

OUR OYSTERS

Our oysters are grown and harvested on Fidalgo Island in the northern end of Skagit Bay. This area is know as Shais-quihl in Lushootseed, the Coast Salish language.

Our farm is located less than five miles as the current flows from the emerald mouth of Deception Pass. Similk Bay is a shallow and relatively small enclosed body, mixing and turning over daily with salty Pacific waters from deep in the Strait of Juan De Fuca, then mixed with icy and mineral rich Cascade Range water of the great Skagit River. This rich combination ensures a dense food supply for our shellfish, and the cold water keeps the sugars and fats in a beautiful balance that ensures fat, sweet, and complex tasting oysters year round.

We find ourselves truly blessed by the oysters delivered by our beautiful little bay. Just to top off the quality, we grade and hand-tumble our oysters just the right amount, giving Swinomish Shellfish Company oysters a deep cup, which they happily plump up to the brim with full meats every time.

PACIFIC OYSTERS

SEA SPRAYS

Swinomish Petites, at or under two inches in length, have relatively deep cups and small but full meats for a petite or cocktail size oyster. Brine forward, a hint of the Swinomish sweetness, a tinge of acidity, but the real party comes at the end with a long and distinct cucumber and seaweed character and a bright mineral finish. The Sea Spray clings to the pallet like kelp hold fast long after the oyster has sunk.

SEA WHIPS

Swinomish Extra-Smalls, 2-3 inches long and rounded, have surprisingly deep cups for bag-grown oysters without flotation, and satisfyingly full meats. Can we say our own oysters are perfect? We believe these are close. You’ll get a whip of that Juan de Fuca brininess off the start, but these oysters are as rounded in flavor as their shells. There follows a richness and roundness that is almost hard to describe; the Swinomish sweetness combines with a rich and savory umami flavor which transitions to nutty. At first the richness slightly masks the aromatic cucumber and seaweed notes, but these finish strong across the pallet and beyond.

SEA MIST

Swinomish Smalls, three inches in length, generally have rounded deep cups, meats always plump (sometimes to bursting). Eyes widen as this one develops on the pallet. A smooth saltiness to start, so Swinomish sweet and buttery in the middle, and rich savory cucumber aromatics as the mist dissipates. Sometimes there is a hint of peatiness reminiscent of a Scotch whisky in that long savory flavor that stays with you, deep in the back of the pallet. Do you taste it?

STANDING WAVE

Swinomish Mediums, 3-4 inches long depending on how deep the cup is. Cups generally deep bordering on the absurd, and always fat and full of meat rain or shine. This one might only be slurped raw by the boldest of oysters adventures, but be sure that however they go down, the experience will be satisfying. Salty, sweet, rich, and savory in equal proportion. It’s a good oyster, and you won’t go hungry with a few of these fatties on the grill.

BEACH BBQ

Swinomish LARGE, Oyster greater than 5 inches long. These oysters do just what they say on the shell. Too big for all but the craziest oyster slurpers, you’ll want to cook these. Big, sweet, oystery meats for your BBQ or oven. We suggest steaming them first, so that they are par to full cooked, and a few have started to open. Pop the lids off the shells, and smother them with your choice in toppings and finish them on the grill, the salty juices will catch in the cup and explode with the flavors of your favorite additions. Tip: you can’t go wrong with butter and garlic.

SPECIALTY OYSTERS

OLYMPIA OYSTERS - “HOLY SMOLIES”

Swinomish Olympias. Native oysters, grown in native waters, by a native tribe. These are the OG of Oysters. About the size of a silver dollar. These special little critters are unique in the oyster world for many reasons. Fished to near extinction during the Gold Rush, commercial aquaculture as well as restoration efforts have ensured that the Olympia Oyster is still with us, and thank goodness. A favorite of many an oyster connoisseur. Their small, meaty morsels pack a big punch. A sharp, mineral flavor, but with our own buttery Similk Bay finish characterizes these little beauties with an experience your pallet won’t quickly forget. Has to be tried, and fun to compare to our other products.

KUMAMOTO OYSTERS - “KUKUTALI KUMOS”

Kumamoto Oysters. A close relative of the Pacific oyster, the Kumamoto Oyster is a crowd-pleaser, we defy you to dislike these little pearls from our waters. A wee kiss of brine from the bay hits you first, followed by the Swinomish Sweetness that characterizes our oysters, and finished with the classic Kumamoto note of Cucumber and Melon. So, so, good. Smaller than the Pacific oyster by some way, but defined by their deep rounded cups, providing a morsel of meat that is just the right size. Kumos really are a popular favorite amongst oyster fans (shhhhh don’t tell the other oysters!). Come and get some!

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