Oysters have a different flavor profile depending on where they are raised, when they are harvested, and their growing conditions. In the United States, the main sources of oyster farming and harvesting are along with the West Coast areas of Washington, Oregon, and California; the Eastern seaboard in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Chesapeake Bay, and South Carolina; and along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. Trying different varieties is part of the fun. So order early from any of these oyster delivery services and get your shucking knives ready.
Best Oyster Delivery Services of 2022
Best Overall: Hama Hama Oysters Best for Wild Oysters: Glidden Point Oyster Farms Best Subscription Service: Real Oyster Cult Best for East Coast Oysters: Cherrystone Aqua-Farms Best for West Coast Oysters: Hog Island Oyster Company Best for Southern Oysters: Lowcountry Oyster Company Best for Holidays: Island Creek Oysters
ProsStrong farm-to-chef relationshipEnvironmentally sustainable farming methods ConsCan’t choose oyster varieties10-dozen minimum for free shipping Hama Hama Oyster Company has had a farm store since the 1960s. It’s come a long way since store employee Myrtle (aka Hama Hama Oyster Mama) chatted on the CB radio with passing truckers. This family-owned company still has its farm store and “Oyster Saloon” in Lilliwaup, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Luckily, it ships shellfish nationwide. Hama Hama has a nice variety of sizes and types of oysters that vary seasonally. Varieties range from the namesake Hama Hama oyster, which is meaty with a clean, crisp flavor, to the full-bodied Blue Pool oyster. Hama Hama also offers clams and mussels for that additional Pacific Northwest flavor. ProsGood variation in oyster varietiesCarbon-neutral shipping ConsMinimum order is 36 oysters Glidden Point Oyster Farms is more like a collective than one single farm. It’s one of six major farms in one of the oldest shellfish growing areas of Maine in the Damariscotta River region. When you order from Glidden Point, you’re getting seafood from the Coastal Harvesters Collection of aquafarmers. These wild oysters will vary in flavor, not only depending on the season but also based on where the oyster grew along the Damariscotta River. The Wild Dams are briny and capture that east coast Maine flavor. For a more predictable flavor, try one of the farmed oysters. The Glidden Point Topsider is a good choice, since they are surface-cultured (which means they are raised near the surface of the water and not the bottom), giving them a more buttery, lighter flavor. Online orders include overnight shipping via FedEx, but be sure to plan ahead; you have to order by 7 a.m. on Wednesday to meet the company’s weekly shipping deadline. There is a 36-oyster minimum for most orders. Glidden ships on Thursday for Friday delivery. ProsSubscription option of 20, 30, 40, 60, or 70 oysters monthlyMinimum order is just 20 oysters ConsMembership auto-renews unless you cancel Sims McCormick and her husband Rob Knecht have their own farm in Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts. They offer up the different oyster flavor profiles and detailed descriptions. Since they source from 90 different shellfish farms, you get the breadth of their knowledge without having to do the research yourself. Real Oyster Cult is a great choice if you want to enjoy these oysters for a date night or don’t want to commit to three dozen or more oysters (which is usually the minimum elsewhere). And you’ll get these curated oysters directly from the company’s Boston shop. The company delivers on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the minimum order is 20 oysters. ProsOyster varieties range in flavorShips four days per week ConsPrices are higher than other oyster purveyors Chad Ballard is the fifth-generation member of his family to farm oysters in Virginia. The family takes its shellfish raising seriously and maintains sustainable practices so that its oyster farming has no impact on the wild shellfish population of the region. Cherrystone Aqua-Farms grows a wide variety of oysters, including its historic Watch House Points, which have a briny flavor with hints of light melon and cucumber. Its Chunus and Misty Points also start with a salty flavor but finish with a lighter, grassy note. Its Chincoteague oyster has a sharper, brinier flavor. Keep in mind that if you don’t order by Thursday, your oysters won’t be shipped until the following Monday. ProsOysters are sustainably farmedSignature oysters are both briny and sweetMonthly subscriptions available ConsShipping is expensiveYou can only order bags of 36 or 60 oystersThe shop tends to sell out quickly Located in the small town of Marshall off the coast of Northern California, Hog Island Oyster Company was started by a couple of marine biologists with a dream. Since 1983, this five-acre shellfish farm has grown to 160 acres and now sells in excess of five million oysters and clams every year. Many of those bivalves end up on the menus of local San Francisco and Napa restaurants. As founding members of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, the company maintains sustainable aquaculture techniques without compromising on time or flavor. Its signature Hog Island Sweetwater oysters may not be the largest on the market, but they are incredibly flavorful. Due to growing conditions off of Tomales Bay, these oysters are a little brinier than those grown in less salty waters. Each oyster takes years to grow because of hand-farming practices. Oysters are shipped in bags of either 36 or 60. Another option is to sign up for a monthly subscription, which sends you one 12, or 36-count bag. Subscriptions last for three, six, or 12 months. You can also purchase clams, mussels, and tinned fish. ProsOysters are harvested to orderOysters arrive 24-48 hours after harvest ConsSmall variety of oysters Founder and owner Trey McMillan is a fisherman who became an oyster farmer. He opened Lowcountry Oyster Company in 2017 after a life-changing trip to the Chesapeake Bay in 2015. Sustainably farm-raised in South Carolina’s ACE Basin, Lowcountry’s signature cup oysters are briny and full of flavor. The company’s shellfish is 100 percent traceable and sustainable, and it takes great pride in these bivalves. Lowcountry only grows oysters and mussels and has fewer varieties compared to other purveyors, but the quality is top-notch. Shipping costs are included with each order. ProsFree overnight shippingPopular holiday packages"Block Party" includes 100 oysters and caviarVariety of other local seafood available ConsMore expensive than other servicesHoliday items sell out quickly Started in 1995 by Skip Bennett, a native of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Island Creek Oysters now provides over 10 million oysters annually to restaurants and oyster lovers all over the world. Although people said growing oysters was a bad idea, Skip got lucky; Duxbury Bay has ideal conditions for growing these bivalves. The cooler waters prevent the oysters from spawning, which means the oysters are delicious even in the summer months when other locations have to pause harvesting. Other items the shop sells are caviar, Maine lobster, and littleneck clams. Shipping costs are built into the price. For the holidays, plan ahead and order early, since Island Creek’s holiday packs sell out quickly.
How Do Oyster Delivery Services Ship Fresh Oysters?
Oyster delivery services pack live oysters on ice packs inside insulated styrofoam containers. They are all shipped overnight or via two-day shipping to ensure the freshest catch for your dinner table. Fresh oysters will usually keep for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator, although it’s best to plan your shipment to arrive a day or two before serving.
How Much Do Oyster Delivery Services Cost?
The price for oyster delivery varies depending on where you are located and the number of oysters you want sent to your door. Most services average about $90 to $100 for 50 oysters, shipping included. They are cheaper per shell than you would get at a restaurant and just as fresh, if not fresher.
Are Oyster Delivery Services Sustainable?
Most oyster delivery companies farm their own oysters, so they usually run their businesses with sustainability in mind. Most oysters that arrive at our tables are usually farmed; wild oysters are generally left alone. The United States has strict guidelines for how and when wild oysters can be harvested. Most of the aqua farmers keep sustainability in mind, not only because it’s the right thing to do but because it makes sense for their own future livelihoods as well.
Where Do the Best Oysters Come From?
Oysters grow best in estuaries, bays, and certain water conditions. Of course, there are oysters from both coasts and the Gulf coast as well. All of them have their unique flavor profiles. Maine has highly sought-after coldwater bivalves, while Louisiana boasts the largest oysters in the country. It depends on how you like your oysters.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Oysters?
Although oysters are available year-round, it’s best to avoid buying them from warmer climates in the summer in terms of oysters’ reproductive cycle. These delicious bivalves usually spawn during the warmer months, May through August (although in the Gulf of Mexico, they can spawn all year, when the waters are warm enough). During their spawning time, they get fattier, softer, and less flavorful. Those harvested during the cooler months or in cooler waters have a bright flavor and lean texture. In addition, a bacteria called Vibrio parahaemolyticus grows to higher levels during the summer. It’s only a problem if you eat them raw, so if you cook or barbecue your oysters, there’s no need to worry. If you know you’re getting your oysters from farmed purveyors or from cooler waters, feel free to enjoy your oysters year-round.
Methodology
We conducted extensive research on each company’s websites along with outside review sites and considered freshness, taste, and availability. We also reviewed delivery methods, price, and the quality of oysters that each service ships, along with sustainable practices.
