Antisan Yacht Antisan is an exceptional charter yacht based in Cannes and available to rent on the French Riviera and other Mediterranean destinations. The northeastern French region of Brittany is as famous as Aquitaine for its world-prized, incredibly fresh oysters. Have we managed to intrigue your palate? These oysters are lauded as being unusually sweet and as having a pleasing, complex texture. Where to Taste the Best Oysters in Brittany? Labelled according to the same calculation as the fines, these oysters are a larger and fleshier. It is best to tip the oyster shell into your mouth and drink the seawater with it. Bluff Oysters from the southern most tip of New Zealand's South Island are some of the most prolific. Due to their unique taste, their longer maturation (up to 6 years), as well as their relative scarcity compared to the Pacific oyster, the native Kelly Galway oysters are prized by connoisseurs and chefs alike. Terroir (pronounced "tehr-wahr") means the characteristics of a placeits climate, geology, and wildlife, for examplethat impact . The Gillardeau family has been cultivating oysters for generations as a result of the familys ancestral passion for the delicacy. If youre going to eat raw oysters, allow 6 to 8 oysters per person, and 5 if theyre going to be served warm. Like Kelly Galways, Loch Ryans are native oysters of the European variety, and they have been grown by the Wallace family since 1701, when King William II gave the family the rights to harvest the beds. Your visit with local artisans will give you deep insight into the painstaking process of producing these delicacies, and the cultural traditions that have endured for hundreds of years. E-mail. Touring & Tasting on the PeninsulaWhy not couple a historical tour of Normandys landing beaches with a few gourmet tastings at some of the areas most prestigious oyster houses and seafood restaurants? This results in oysters that are plump and full of flavor. Brittany Oysters Utah Beach, one of the famous D-Day landing beaches and the westernmost of the five, is located on the Cotentin Peninsula. Bourdain enjoys oysters from the coast in both regions, as well as seafood from the local region. Juice of 2 limes (about 2 tbsp.) For true oyster lovers, theres really nothing better than tucking into a dozen on the half-shell at a seaside bistro. Additionally, personal preferences will also come into play. Best Oyster Gifts; 2020 Holiday Newsletter; Solstice Spirit; Rebuttal to Oyster Herpes Op-Ed; From Strasbourg to Colmar to Paris. You will pass by the region if you are cruising on a superyacht from Barcelona to Valencia. France is known for its western seaboard with three separate oyster growing regions: Cancale, Marennes-Olron, & Arcachon. In particular, the French coast is famous for its oysters, particularly in Bouziques, France. They are typically served raw, with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drop of Tabasco sauce. If youre looking for a more intense oyster flavor, consider California oysters. . The town of Isigny-sur Mer and nearby Grandcamp-Maisy are both excellent ports of call for sampling the prized local produce. Julius Caesar claimed that Scotlands Loch Ryan oysters were the best in the world, or so the story goes. Oyster Rockefeller, a type of oyster that is popular in the United States, is also a native of France. The Glidden Point oysters in Maine are known as the gold standard, and they are some of the best oysters in the state. Each year millions of oysters bloom along the coast of Washington, California, Alabama, Maine, and other states in the United States. During the winter of 2010, I had the incredible opportunity to travel around the world for business. She is one of the few yachts able to cruise with more than 12 guests onboard and can welcome up to 40 guests for day charters. We always aim to show our VIP clients the secrets of Frances best producers and top culinary talents. There are many oyster varieties to choose from, but the French oyster is the most popular. It is not uncommon to see oysters shucked in front of you while you eat them (to preserve their flavor), or to serve them on ice. Ask any Frenchman or woman and theyd look at you as if youre crazy to even think they may not be. Many people believe French oysters are the best in the world, and raw oysters are available at bistros and brasseries across the country. Boat International Media Ltd 2008 - 2022. "I had the oysters and the salmon.". Generally raised in the plankton-rich Bay of Veys, these are oysters likely to please most palates for their soft, delicate flavours and pleasingly firm texture. Oyster regions of France Normandy Oysters Known for its highly iodised and fleshy oysters. Artisanal oyster farmers and superb gastronomic restaurants and bars specialising in the delicacy thrive in Aquitaine, where prestige meets century-long traditions. Utah Beach is said to produce sweet oysters. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The most important part of the Texas oyster harvest is in Galveston Bay. With a shared language of terroir and cru and descriptive terms like crisp, buttery, or fruity, the French appreciation of oysters goes hand in hand with their appreciation of wine. Are grown at just 10 to the square yard. Whether youre fancying a gin and tonic, or a shaken martini, the marriage between gin and oysters is a thing of beauty. The region, with roots in Celtic roots that stretch back thousands of years and fishing practices that are just about as ancient, has perfected the art of the huitre through a combination of treasured tradition and present-day innovation. True Belon oysters are produced in the area around the French river Belon, and some say that they are some of the rarest oysters in the world. At 20 to the square yard, these oysters mature for two months in salty claires, or marshes, where they filter nutrient-rich water that sometimes turns them green. Like wine, terroir and variety matters when it comes to the world of oysters. View all posts by Alex Coles. They taste slightly different depending on where they came from: salty and nutty in Normandy, iodiney and delicate and invigorating in Brittany. Tempura oysters are a speciality here. However, the reigning champion must always be true Champagne from the Champagne region, partly because it is grown in soil which is rich in marine sediments and chalky notes, creating a magnificent mineral, almost saline partnership with the salty oysters. He takes the time to appreciate the natural beauty of the region not only because it is rugged on the coastline but also because it is rolling and rural. Tut, tut.). When they are three years old and fully mature, they are transferred to an estuarial environment. In France, the oyster has been beloved by kings and peasants for thousands of years and today, the French continue to love these salty and briny treats from the sea. These are refined oysters, grown in marshes (claires) that allow for optimum production and a controlled growing environment. Grown by Caminada Bay Oysters, this variety is giant, meaty, and fit for frying. Generally, there is a small fork provided for this purpose, so that it is not attached to the shell. Australia is famed for its Sydney Rock oysters which are found in a variety of locations around the country including - Shark Bay, the Wingan Inlet and the east coast of New South Wales. 261 Reviews. They have a flavor reminiscent of brine and an intense copper finish, and they are full of umami. The oysters from the glandardeau saucisson are among Frances best oysters, and they rank third among the top three. They explain every aspect of oyster history and nurturing. The caramelized oysters are served in . Visit the picturesque seaside city of Cancale, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean but featuring a tranquil harbour where the oysters are protected from the harsh currents, and experience the culinary traditions that the city is quietly famous for. When raw oysters are served, they are typically chilled or heated at room temperature, or they can be served raw in a cold or room temperature dish. The biggest oysters are best used for cooking something like an oyster stuffing, which my grandma loved to make for Thanksgiving (and I always managed to hide the heaping scoop of oyster stuffing or slip it in to napkin). by Margaret | Jan 30, 2023 | Popular Seafood Dishes. You will have the most delicious gourmet adventures, as well as the most expensive huatres, on our unique culinary tours. However, no country in the world can offer a more complete oyster experience than France. Possibly the most famous oyster of them all are the Speciales Gillardeau, grown by the Gillardeau family near La Rochelle in Western France. 5. "Best oysters in the world" Review of Huitrerie Regis 393 photos Huitrerie Regis 3 rue de Montfaucon, 75006 Paris, France (6th Arr. The sea views over the port are also superb. Last but certainly not least, the northern region of Normandy (which borders Brittany) is also home to some outstanding oyster producers and gastronomic restaurants that make creative delicious use of the shellfish. Mont-St-Michel Bay, located between Normandy and Brittany, is a stunning sight to see. The plants are difficult to grow and require a small amount of production, so they are more expensive to produce. Some of the world's best oysters can be found along the stunning coasts of Brittany and Normandy in France. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Malpeque Oysters Due to the way they are cultivated, Gillardeau oysters can be eaten more than eight days after packaging so ensure your chef orders some in if you are in the country on your private yacht or enjoying a luxury yacht charter in France. Bartenders are getting creative with their martini and oyster collaborations; some now make martinis with an actual oyster thrown in there to take place of the vermouth, while others pop the oysters own salty, delicious juice in there to take the traditional olives dirty role. . Besides, oyster preference is an extremely personal thing, and one that does not always correspond with either fame or price tag. Where to Taste the Best Oysters in Aquitaine?Your private oyster-tasting tour in the region may include visits to producers and local gastronomic tables specialised in fresh shellfish paired with excellent wines. The quality of oysters in Brittany, like those in Aquitaine, is world-renowned. The best oyster restaurants in the world Essential pit-stops chosen by Simon Lamont, head chef of Raw Bar at Seabird, home to London's longest oyster menu THE COMPANY SHED, ESSEX 'An old hut just down the slipway in Colchester, with the farm a shell's throw from where you're sitting. The Hog Island Oyster Company of Tomales Bay, California, is famous for its hog Island Sweetwater oyster. Known as the Royals Royce of oysters, these very fine oysters come at a premium. The meat is briny and firm, with only a hint of sweet sweetness and a refreshing acidity, as compared to cucumbers. They can be found in the coastal areas of the country, as well as in the rivers and lakes. While Normandy is perhaps a bit more well-known for its French cheeses and Calvados liqueur, this region should be a priority when youre interested in tasting superb huitres and related products. Comptoir Saouf, where a dozen oysters will set you back15.30. The majority of the plates oysters come from Brittany or at least France, but the creuse may be imported. Oysters are prized for their soft, delicate flavors and firm texture due to their origins in the plankton-rich Bay of Veys. This sweet, fruity oyster grows in Marenne-Oleron on the west coast of France, the largest oyster growing region in Europe. If youre looking for the best oysters in the world, you wont be disappointed by deep-sea oysters from the Cotentin Peninsula. Aided by the significant tidal difference, the oysters filter plenty of nutrient-rich seawater every day. Vive la France! This episode of How We Eat explores the complex history of this beloved bival. Many consider theirs to be the Rolls Royce of French huitres. There are many other deserving candidates further afield, such as in Australia, New Zealand and America, but as we know, the freshness of an oyster is paramount, so this list will concentrate on the best of European oyster growers.). Some people enjoy them simply because they are without any extras, while others enjoy them with a sprinkle of butter and bread. Coming from the Loire Valley, this cool climate wine is grown on an ancient sea bed known as the Paris basin, and its bracing acidity, citrus notes, and mineral profile matches exceedingly well with oysters. How to Eat an Oyster Like the French: This is a list of some tips for how to eat oysters like the French. These French oysters are raised in deep waters, then transferred to less salty shallow beds called claires to mature. Nouvelle AquitaineHeading to Nouvelle Aquitaine and the relaxed seaside town of Bourcfranc le Chapus, you can taste some of Frances most-prized and expensive oysters at Maison Gillardeau, established during the nineteenth century and lauded by gourmets as unusually flavourful, fresh, and aromatic. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Oysters from the East Coast are unquestionably the most popular in the seafood world. Brest: Distinctive wild harbour oystersThe northwestern harbour city of Brest is lauded for its superb wild oysters, which naturally flourish in the nutrient-rich waters around the area. Get yourself a coffee and a pastry because its a long read. In addition to visiting local oyster producers in Arcachon and the nearby Cap Ferret, your gourmet adventure in the region might include lunch onboard a privately chartered yacht, prepared by a local chef and featuring freshly caught oysters accompanied by crusty bread and salted butter and some of the regions finest, crispest white wines.