Eastern Oyster
Crassostrea virginica
Also known as American oyster, Atlantic oyster, American cupped oyster, Virginia oyster
Culinary Profile
Ranges from sweet to briny.
Oysters are low in saturated fat and excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
At maturity, Eastern oysters can reach up to 8 inches. The shell has smooth edges and is oval with a "cupped" shape, giving rise to its alternate name "American cupped oyster." The inside of the shell is white to off-white to brownish in color.
Biology
Eastern oysters are of the shellfish family. Like mussels, clams and scallops they are bivalve mollusks, and have a hinged shell. They have fast growth rates and high reproduction rates. Each female Eastern oyster can product over 100 million eggs during one spawning event. Adult Eastern oysters are sessile—they stay in one place—and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas.
Where They Live
Range Eastern oysters are found along eastern North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). They are found in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. They are the only species of oyster native to this region. Habitat Eastern oysters live in brackish and salty waters from 8 to 35 feet deep. In some warmer areas, they are able to live in the intertidal zone.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Estuaries, mainly the East Coast or Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico).
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Eastern Oyster ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | 16 µg | 1 / 106 | 99% |
| Iron | 5.11 mg | 1 / 111 | 99% |
| Zinc | 16.62 mg | 1 / 111 | 99% |
| Selenium | 77 µg | 4 / 106 | 96% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 438 mg | 11 / 104 | 89% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 250 mg | 50 / 104 | 52% |
| Phosphorus | 162 mg | 99 / 111 | 11% |
| Protein | 9.45 g | 110 / 111 | 1% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Eastern Oyster.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Eastern Oyster, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eastern Oyster found?
Range Eastern oysters are found along eastern North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). They are found in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. They are the only species of oyster native to this region. Habitat Eastern oysters live in brackish and salty waters from 8 to 35 feet deep.
How does Eastern Oyster reproduce?
Eastern oysters are of the shellfish family. Like mussels, clams and scallops they are bivalve mollusks, and have a hinged shell. They have fast growth rates and high reproduction rates. Each female Eastern oyster can product over 100 million eggs during one spawning event. Adult Eastern oysters are sessile—they stay in one place—and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas.
Is Eastern Oyster a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Eastern Oyster provides 16 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 667% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Is Eastern Oyster a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Eastern Oyster supplies 438 mg of EPA and 250 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Is Eastern Oyster a lean fish or a rich one?
At 81 kcal per 100 g raw, Eastern Oyster counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 20 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.