Portuguese Flat

Various · Atlantic Coast, Portugal

Ostrea edulis

Portugal's native flat oyster — increasingly rare due to bonamia disease pressure, but where found, it delivers the classic O. edulis mineral-metallic character with hazelnut notes. Slightly warmer growing conditions than French or British equivalents soften the intensity somewhat.

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

Vinho VerdeChablis
Always start here

The reference version.

Portugal's native flat oyster — increasingly rare due to bonamia disease pressure, but where found, it delivers the classic O. edulis mineral-metallic character with hazelnut notes. Slightly warmer growing conditions than French or British equivalents soften the intensity somewhat.

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 · 4–6 yearsWaterVarious Portuguese estuariesAppearancemedium · flat

If you like this, try

Galician FlatGaliciaThe Galician flat is less austere than its French or British counterparts — the ría upwelling system's rich phytoplankton gives more roundness and umami alongside the classic O. edulis mineral-metallic character. Increasingly rare due to bonamia disease pressure.BelonBelonIntensely iodine and metallic on entry, lean and dense, with a hazelnut-copper finish that coats the palate for minutes.
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