{"id":1213,"date":"2022-03-10T04:18:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T04:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bossoyster.com\/?p=1213"},"modified":"2022-04-08T13:23:18","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T13:23:18","slug":"oyster-farm-travel-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bossoyster.com\/oyster-farm-travel-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Oyster Farm Travel: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oyster farming has become a huge source of tourism and national interest in recent years. This is mainly because of the increased concerns over our food’s environmental impact. <\/p>
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The demand for more sustainable methods of putting food on the table has forced oyster farms to find ways to protect wild species and secure a consistent source of revenue for them and the local community. <\/p>
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Because of this, more people than ever before are interested in visiting an oyster farm to see how the unique tasting molluscs are farmed and how different climates can impact the flavor profile. <\/p>
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This is a complete guide into oyster farm travel so that you can plan your next environmentally conscious and educational visit to an oyster farm near you. <\/p>
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It is worth acknowledging that there are two main types of oysters discussed in this guide. These are Eastern oysters, which are native to America along the Atlantic coast, and Western oysters. <\/p>
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Eastern oysters are usually oval shaped, with smooth edges and an outer shell that can be white or a slightly brown color. West Coast oysters are a little more creamy and buttery in taste, but they are both worth tasting to see for yourself.<\/p>
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Firstly, there are so many oyster farms that are currently offering tours, experiences, and unique interactions, that it is worth finding one local to you. <\/p>
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The more eager oyster fanatic could plan a trip to visit multiple states at once, but the more environmentally conscious may enjoy spending less time traveling and making the most out of local resources. <\/p>
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These are some of the best oyster farms across the country that are definitely worth paying a visit. <\/p>
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In spite of their name, the oysters that are grown within the Mexican Gulf have a delicate taste and flavor profile. <\/p>
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Located in Bayou La Batre, murder point is definitely worth a visit purely for their petite, buttery tasting oysters. They are cultivated using Australian methods, and provide useful tips on how to prepare them at home.<\/p>
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While they do not supply to the public, Pelican Reef is worth contacting if you are in the area to see if you could arrange a tour or even a tasting session. Found in Cedar Key, these oysters are salty yet creamy, and the flat shell makes them much easier to shuck.<\/p>
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Located in Townsend, this is the oldest clam farm in Georgia that has the perfect oysters for roasting. <\/p>
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Partly because of the challenging regulations, and also because of the increased demand for sustainable oysters, the owner of Sapelo Sea Farms has taken a sustainable approach to his work and farming methods.<\/p>
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Grand Isle Sea Farms are another location to offer sustainably grown oysters with a classic taste to visitors. The southern belle oysters are collected in floating cages and this experience will leave you coming back for more.<\/p>
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The sweet Jesus oysters are grown by the Hollywood Oyster Company, who work hard to maintain the subtle sweetness of the meat. They are extremely tasty and have also been reported to have hints of mossy flavor.<\/p>
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Found in the waters around Deer Island, French hermit oysters are mild, clean, and have earthy undertones. These oysters can be purchased directly from the website, or found in a selection of local restaurants.<\/p>
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Known for their slightly sweet taste and low minerality, Sea Level Salts are sold and grown by Morris Family Shellfish Farms. Not only do they supply local restaurants, but their oysters can be found in Lookout Grocery store, NC.<\/p>
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Sold by Lady’s Island Oysters, these are deep cupped, and have a distinct clean taste which is brought out by the Atlantic waters that they grow in. The taste goes from sweet to salty, and will definitely leave you wanting more.<\/p>
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Also known as rare Elm Grove ruffles, these oysters have an impressive size and are a little more challenging to find. <\/p>
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However, they are certainly worth the time and effort spent searching for them, as they have a unique firmness and complex taste that pairs well with crunchy bread or chargrilling.<\/p>
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With hints of honeydew, these oysters can be found in Cape Charles from wholesalers in Cherrystone Aqua Farms. They are passionate about their products and what they do, and it is definitely worth contacting them if you are in the area and want to arrange a delivery or a tasting.<\/p>
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There are a selection of options to choose from when you are planning your oyster farm visit. Depending on where you live, and the proximity to a particular oyster farm, you could plan a day trip, or allow for multiple stops if you want to do a more comprehensive tour. The Virginia oyster trail is an example of a multi-stop route that many tourists have already taken advantage of. <\/p>
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The great thing about planning an oyster farm visit is that the trip can be as long or short as you like. This means that those who plan on traveling larger distances could make the most out of their money by scheduling multiple tours or experiences within the duration of the trip. <\/p>
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While those that live closer to a particular oyster farm may prefer to travel using their car, SUV, or public transport, people who live further away could book flights to save time on the road. Some oyster farms that are more interactive may also offer boat trips to specific areas where the oysters grow, or to a remote island for an exclusive tasting session. <\/p>
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In addition, more and more farms are beginning to offer their visitors a more personal experience which includes arranging transport from their hotel or accommodation. This is another selling point worth considering when you are booking your trip, as it will be included in the total price of your experience. <\/p>
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Because recent years have seen a boom in demand for oyster farms and tourist attractions, there are a range of additional features that are worth looking out for when you are booking your trip. These include more immersive sessions with farmers who provide shucking lessons to adults and children. <\/p>
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Make sure you are asking about oystering communities locally so that you are sure of what to look for before booking a visit to a specific oyster farm. This can help you learn ways of protecting wild oyster species and avoid spending money on something that is less sustainable. <\/p>
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Depending on the size of your group when you are scheduling a visit, you could find an oyster farm that offers private tours. Another way to compare your options is whether a particular venue or farm offers land or water-based experiences. Become completely immersed into the oysters’ environment and growing conditions by putting on some waders and getting your hands dirty. <\/p>
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For a more authentic experience that you are bound to remember for many years, consider looking for hands-on tasting and farming experiences straight from the water. This can be done using kayak tours, raw bars, or wading into the water where they are growing. <\/p>
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Make sure you are looking for something exciting and immersive that suits your personality and preferences. There are more options available than ever before in terms of oyster farming tourist attractions, so there is bound to be something that is right for you. <\/p>
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Make sure you are aware of the different experiences that are determined by the weather conditions, and that you know what to expect when you schedule a trip during the off-peak tourism season. <\/p>
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With that said, many oyster farms can be visited all year round. You may find that there are less visitors, which allows you to get a more personal experience. <\/p>
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The main drawback of visiting away from the peak season is that there could be fewer oysters to try in general. For that reason, it is recommended that you do your own research specific to the region you are looking to visit to see what type of oysters can be found at that time of year. <\/p>
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The warmer months are ideal if you want to make a longer trip out of it, but it can be fun to visit an oyster farm during the off-peak season in the winter. As a general rule, the main season where oysters are typically more abundant is between June and September. <\/p>
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However, in areas like Maine, Massachusetts, New England, and California, oysters are grown in higher numbers between May and October. <\/p>
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Because people plan a trip to visit oyster farms all over the country, it is important that you are ready for different kinds of weather patterns. This means preparing ahead of time by checking the weather predictions, estimated temperature range, and what type of activities you have planned. <\/p>
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Try to pack accordingly and make sure that you have the right gear for the different oyster experiences that you have booked.<\/p>
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