Albemarle Sound

Albemarle Sound · Atlantic Coast, USA

Crassostrea virginica

Albemarle Sound is North Carolina's largest estuarine system and its least saline — multiple major rivers discharge into it with no tidal inlet to the ocean, producing some of the sweetest, mildest oysters on the East Coast with almost no detectable brine.

Raw shellfish is a major allergen and carries inherent health risks. Editorial reference only.

Salinity1/5
Sweetness5/5
Minerality1/5
Umami3/5
Textureplump
Finishsweet

Pair with

Demi-Sec VouvrayUnoaked ChardonnayWheat Beer
Always start here

The reference version.

Albemarle Sound is North Carolina's largest estuarine system and its least saline — multiple major rivers discharge into it with no tidal inlet to the ocean, producing some of the sweetest, mildest oysters on the East Coast with almost no detectable brine.

What you'll tasteas it arrives
Brine
1
Sweet
5
Mineral
1
Umami
3
Acid
—

Everything below is measured against this plate.

Details

Cultivationrack-and-bag · 18–24 monthsAppearancemedium · elongated

If you like this, try

James RiverJames RiverThe James River is one of the least saline oyster-producing rivers in Virginia — its volume of freshwater produces oysters with almost no detectable brine and exceptional sweetness. Bold, sweet, and unmistakably Chesapeake.ApalachicolaApalachicolaMild and immediately approachable — the opposite of a Belon or a high-brine Wellfleet.
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