Blue Pool and Shigoku Take Best Oysters Prize
Nov 17, 2015
At the North American Oyster Showcase last week, a truly impressive panel of hardcore oysterheads convened for what is to date the most thorough and inclusive blind tasting of oysters ever. There were chefs and other experts from the West Coast, Gulf Coast, and East Coast. The results, as you can see on the board above, are fascinating food for thought. My takeaways are below, but first, here are the results again in descending order:
|
Rank |
Oyster |
Score |
State |
|
1 |
Blue Pool |
93 |
WA |
|
2 |
Shigoku |
92 |
WA |
|
3 |
Kusshi |
89 |
BC |
|
4 |
Totten Inlet |
86 |
WA |
|
5 |
Isle Douphines |
86 |
AL |
|
6 |
Murder PT. |
85 |
AL |
|
7 |
Point Aux Pins |
84 |
AL |
|
8 |
Kumamoto |
82 |
WA |
|
9 |
13 mile Oysters |
82 |
FL |
|
10 |
Champagne Bay |
82 |
LA |
|
11 |
Coast Kumos |
79 |
CA |
|
12 |
Beauregard Island |
79 |
LA |
|
13 |
Island Creek |
79 |
MA |
|
14 |
Hog Island Sweetwater |
78 |
CA |
|
15 |
Sewanscott |
78 |
VA |
|
16 |
Moonstone |
77 |
RI |
|
17 |
Matunuck |
76 |
RI |
|
18 |
Snowhill |
76 |
VA |
|
19 |
Fanny Bay |
75 |
BC |
|
20 |
Raspberry Point |
71 |
PEI |
|
21 |
Moon Shoal |
71 |
MA |
|
22 |
Single Lady |
71 |
SC |
|
23 |
East Beach Blond |
70 |
RI |
|
24 |
Kumiai |
64 |
Baja CA |
|
25 |
Misty Points |
61 |
VA |
|
26 |
Rappahannock River |
58 |
VA |
What I take away from this:
–The Pacific Northwest destroyed everyone else, despite the fact that the panel was heavy on Gulf/Southeast folks. Blue Pools, Shigokus, Kusshis, and TIVs are all extraordinary oysters, and no one can ever argue with that again.
–The top three were all intensely tumbled oysters. That’s where it’s at, folks.
–Alabama, having swept the next three spots, is now officially on the map. They are making superb oysters down there, and if you haven’t tried any yet, you are missing out big time.
–Not a good day for the East Coast, neither Virginia or Northeast. This should be a good time of year for them, too.
–The two Kumamotos did surprisingly poorly, proving once again that they are contrary oysters, good when others are not and vice versa.
–Let’s all say it together now: Blue Pools, best oyster in America until proven otherwise. (And Shigokus will be gunning to do just that, I’m sure.)
–This all whets my palate for more ratings controversy, so please head over to Oysterater and weigh in on any of these that you’ve had, as well as other gems overlooked here!
–Can’t wait for next year’s tasting! Count me in!
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