Colchester Native

Colchester · North Sea, England

Ostrea edulis

One of England's oldest and most celebrated oyster fisheries — Colchester Natives from the Colne Estuary have been harvested since Roman times. Cold, clear North Sea water and slow growth produce the classic O. edulis mineral-metallic depth with hazelnut complexity.

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

Salinity3/5
Sweetness2/5
Minerality4/5
Umami3/5
Texturefirm
Finishmetallic

Pair with

ChablisChampagneDry Stout
Always start here

The reference version.

One of England's oldest and most celebrated oyster fisheries — Colchester Natives from the Colne Estuary have been harvested since Roman times. Cold, clear North Sea water and slow growth produce the classic O. edulis mineral-metallic depth with hazelnut complexity.

What you'll tasteas it arrives
Brine
3
Sweet
2
Mineral
4
Umami
3
Acid
—

Everything below is measured against this plate.

Details

Cultivationbottom-cultured · 5–7 yearsWaterColne EstuaryAppearancemedium · flat

If you like this, try

Whitstable NativeWhitstable NativeModerate brine, lower-salinity than either the Belon or the Galway Native.BelonBelonIntensely iodine and metallic on entry, lean and dense, with a hazelnut-copper finish that coats the palate for minutes.
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