Hood Canal and Southern Puget Sound
Eld Inlet
Since the beginning of the oyster industry in Puget Sound, Eld has been recognized for growing the richest oysters. A century ago, bags of oysters from Eld and Totten Inlets commanded $2 more than bags from neighboring Oakland Bay. Something about the algae content of Eld gives the oyster meats a creamy yellow color, as if they were rich in butter. They may be higher in fat, but mostly it’s glycogen they’re rich in. The mystery of Eld is that the same conditions that grow the sweetest of oysters for some reason grow thin shells, despite the fact that they are beach-cultured.
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