Oysters, also known as sea oysters or raw oysters, are the world's most farmed shellfish and one of the most important marine biological resources available to humankind. Oyster meat is delicious and nutritious, and they are found in countries all over the world. So, what are some of the world's best oysters?
Today, we've compiled a list of the world's top ten oysters, including Belon oysters from France, Ginardeau oysters from France, Sydney rock oysters from Australia, Kumamoto oysters, Bluff oysters from New Zealand, Namibian oysters from South Africa, Rushan oysters from China, Tongyeong oysters from South Korea, Atsukashi oysters from Japan, and Morpec Bay oysters from Canada. Let's take a closer look.
1. French Belon oysters
What are the world's finest oysters? The Belon oyster from France is hailed as the pinnacle of oysters. A flat oyster, it originates from the brackish waters of the Belon River estuary in France and is one of the world's top ten oysters. Due to its unique metallic aroma, it's also known as the "copper oyster," belonging to the category of strongly flavored oysters. Belon oysters are graded into 11 levels, based on shell size and weight, with the smallest being No. 6, the largest being No. 5, and so on. The best-tasting Belon oysters typically take 4-6 years to mature. Besides enjoying their pure, unadulterated flavor, a more luxurious way to eat Belon oysters is to add a spoonful of premium Iranian caviar to each oyster. It's understood that the best months to enjoy Belon oysters are from September to December. Because of its strong flavor, it must be paired with a premium wine to achieve a balanced taste.
2. French Ginardo Oysters
Gillardeau, known as the "Queen of Oysters," is a top-tier French oyster brand. Many people refer to Gillardeau simply as "Gillardeau." Every genuine oyster from the French company Gillardeau bears a unique "G" stamp on its shell. Gillardeau is a family business with over a century of oyster farming experience, employing sophisticated techniques to cultivate high-quality oysters.
Gillardeau oysters are graded by size, numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, with 0 being the largest and 5 the smallest. French Gillardeau oysters are among the world's top ten oysters, and the best way to enjoy them is raw. This allows you to savor their original flavor, plump and firm flesh, and a chewy, elastic texture, bursting with the unique freshness and sweet aroma of the ocean.
3. Sydney Rock Oysters, Australia
Among Australian oysters, the most famous is undoubtedly the Sydney rock oyster, also known as the Sydney stone oyster. This oyster has a strong metallic flavor, tender and firm flesh, and a subtle sweetness. The Sydney rock oyster has a dark black shell, is small in size but bursting with flavor, boasting a rich and intense taste, almost like a strong spirit, making it a choice for seasoned gourmets. It releases a powerful mineral flavor that lingers in the mouth for a long time.
Sydney rock oysters are expensive due to their high quality and limited production. Currently, they are exported to the Middle East, Singapore, and Hong Kong in Asia. It is understood that the low production and high price are one of the reasons why Australian Sydney rock oysters are rarely seen in the Chinese market.
4. Kumamoto oysters
Kumamoto oysters originated in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, and are world-renowned. They were introduced to California, USA, in 1945 and successfully cultivated. These oysters are relatively small and have a distinctively sweet and savory flavor. Kumamoto oysters are very popular in the United States and are considered one of the most famous oyster varieties there.
The pristine waters of California give Kumamoto oysters a refreshing, sweet, and delicate flavor. The meat is firm and has a smooth, almost buttery texture, with subtle hints of melon and milk. Kumamoto oysters are quite small, so be careful to preserve the seawater inside the shell after opening. Adding a touch of lemon makes it a delicious and refreshing drink.
5. Bluff Oysters from New Zealand
Bluff oysters are flat, scallop-like in shape, and smaller in size. They have a sweet, fresh flavor and a unique round shell. Grown naturally for 4-8 years at depths of 60 meters near Antarctica, New Zealand Bluff oysters are large, plump, and juicy, earning them a reputation as some of the world's most delicious oysters. New Zealand, free from heavy industry and pollution, is known as "the last pristine place on earth." Furthermore, the water quality here is rigorously monitored, with regular testing of marine life. Therefore, naturally grown Bluff oysters are of exceptional quality and highly sought after by gourmets worldwide.
The Bluff oyster season runs only from April to August each year. Fresh New Zealand Bluff oysters are exceptionally sweet and flavorful, and are plumper, more delicate, and smoother than oysters from other countries. They are also known as "Pacific caviar" due to their rarity.
6. Namibian oysters from South Africa
Namibian oysters from South Africa are among the world's finest. Their primary cultivation area is Walvis Bay, where the Benguela Current makes landfall. The cool waters and abundant nutrients contribute to the oysters' exceptional sweetness and unique flavor. Namibian oysters are representative of South African oysters, sourced from Walvis Bay. They are plump, with a fresh, sweet taste and a rich, creamy flavor. While the aftertaste is somewhat short-lived, it leaves a lasting impression.
Royal Namibian oysters are considered one of the finest delicacies of the South Atlantic, boasting a perfectly balanced saltiness, a springy texture, and plump, rich meat. The excellent farming environment also contributes to their rich nutritional value. Despite limited production and remote location, Namibian oysters remain a rare and prized delicacy among oyster enthusiasts.
7. Chinese Rushan Oyster
The main oyster species farmed in Rushan is the Pacific oyster, using a raft farming method. The farming areas are primarily located in open waters stretching from Rushankou in the west to Langnuankou in the east, where oysters rely entirely on filter feeding on natural food sources such as microalgae. Rushan is one of the world's top ten oyster producing areas. Benefiting from Rushan's unique geographical environment, clean water, suitable temperature and salinity, and abundant basic food sources, Rushan oysters are not only large, plump, with smooth texture and delicious flavor, but also rich in protein, taurine, glycogen, and trace elements such as zinc, iron, manganese, selenium, and copper.
Rushan is a famous oyster-producing area in China. Many of its oyster products have entered the sales markets of cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and have also been exported to 15 countries including Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
8. Tongyeong Oysters from South Korea
The Tongyeong oyster farm is located on Hansan Island in Tongyeong City, a world-renowned "oyster capital." The waters here are rich in nutrients due to the convergence of warm and cold currents, making them ideal for oyster farming. Moreover, the waters off Tongyeong City are certified as pristine by the U.S. FDA, one of the world's most stringent and demanding agencies.
In terms of taste, Korean oysters have a deeper cup, plump oyster meat, and a slightly sweet flavor with few complex layers, making them suitable for beginners. It's understood that 80% of the oysters consumed in Korea come from Tongyeong City, and Tongyeong oysters are exported to 25 countries and regions worldwide. Every summer, many French groups travel there to enjoy oysters. Currently, some Tongyeong oysters have entered the Chinese market at a relatively low price.
9. Japanese Akkeshi oysters
What are some of the world's best oysters? Atsushi oysters are considered the epitome of Japanese oysters, growing in Atsushi, on the southeastern coast of Hokkaido. Lake Atsushi, with its mix of sea and lake water, is a premier oyster-producing region.
The oysters farmed there are famous throughout Japan and are among the top-grade sashimi oysters in Japan. Because the temperature in Atsushi is relatively low all year round, the oyster meat is firm, crisp and sweet, and when you put the whole thing in your mouth, it bursts with flavor, making it a truly exquisite delicacy.
10. Molpec Bay Oysters, Canada
Canadian oysters are renowned for their tender, sweet, and juicy meat. Molpec Bay, located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is home to many oyster farms. The beautiful environment and mild seawater are ideal for the growth and reproduction of marine life, resulting in the production of Molpec Bay oysters, which are praised by many gourmets.
The Morpec Bay oysters are perfectly shaped and sized, with round and deep shells; their taste is exceptional. When you eat them, you first smell a fresh sea breeze, and when you gently bite into the oyster meat, you can feel that the meat is plump and elastic. After the initial salty taste, a fresh, sweet, and refreshing sensation slowly melts in your mouth.
More famous oysters:
pacific oyster
Irish Galway oysters
French Green Jade Oysters
Icelandic oysters
The world's top ten oysters were selected based on common, well-known, and delicious oysters, with reference to relevant online rankings/lists. This list is for reference only and aims to help you understand which oysters are the most delicious. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment/criticize at the end.
