Kumamoto oysters

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Kumamoto Oysters

Introduction

Kumamoto oysters are a type of shellfish that can be found in salt or brackish water. Kumamoto oysters originated in Japan. They are usually eaten raw, but can also be cooked. They are prized for their flavor and texture, and are often considered the best oysters in the world by oyster aficionados.

This article will discuss the history of Kumamoto oysters, where they grow and are farmed, the nutritional benefits, recipes and where to buy them online.

Disclosure

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.

What are oysters?

Few kinds of seafood have as much history and lore as oysters. The Romans first cultivated oysters over 2,000 years ago, and they have a rich tradition as an aphrodisiac. Today this ubiquitous bivalve is more popular than ever, as a revival of restaurant oyster bars has given Americans more opportunity to slurp these plump, savory morsels.

Even though it’s the same species, the flavor of an oyster will vary considerably, depending upon where it’s grown. Oysters are filter feeders, siphoning up to 25 gallons of water a day through their system. The flavor of their meat is a function of the trace minerals (especially salt) in the water they grow up in.

Oysters can be eaten as an appetizer or an entrée, depending on how you serve them. They are well-suited for poaching, baking, steaming, sautéing or even raw on the half shell. 

They appear to be effective scrubbers of polluted water. Clams, oysters, and other shellfish help to eliminate extra nitrogen from waterways by incorporating it into their shells and tissues as they develop. Oysters also filter these contaminants by consuming or compacting them into tiny balls that are released to the sea’s bottom where they are harmless.

Oyster pearl

Humans are one of the most significant predators of oysters, along with marine mammals and other species like starfish. One mechanism of oyster defense is of particular interest to humans. When an irritant such as a rock or grain of sand enters the shell, the animal will cover it in layers of nacre, a secretion that will harden into a smooth, glossy ovoid shape better known as a pearl. In some nations people farm oysters to cultivate pearls for commercial sale.

Did you know oysters are animals with eyes all over their body? These eyes help them escape their predators. These animals do not have a central nervous system. Therefore, they cannot feel pain like humans.

There are about 200 oyster varieties around the globe. The oysters make a large family of bivalve mollusks. In the United States, there are only five species that are typically sold to consumers as food. Those species include Pacific, Atlantic, Kumamoto, Olympia and European flats. Oysters are harvested both on the west coast and east coast.

Here are 10 oyster facts you probably didn’t know

Japan oyster harvesting

Kumamoto oysters originated in Japan

Kumamoto (Kumos) oysters are a type of Pacific oyster that is native to waters off the coast of Japan. They are a small oyster, with a 2-3 inch shell, and have deep cupped shells. The outside of the shell is typically a whitish, green-grey color.

They can be harvested in the wild or cultivated on aquaculture farms. In recent years, Kumamoto oysters have been sustainably harvested in South Puget Sound, WA and Humboldt Bay, CA because the water conditions there are ideal for oyster cultivation and the ecosystem is thriving. It takes about 3 years for a Kumie to grow to market size.

What do Kumamoto oysters taste like?

Kumamoto oysters are known for their sweet and delicate flavor, and are often considered the best and most popular oyster in the world. The meat has an ivory opacity to it, the texture is creamy and plump, and the oyster’s natural seawater composition presents a mouthfeel that has a luscious fruity flavor.

Because of their delicate flavor, Kumamoto oysters are best enjoyed fresh, so be sure to look for oysters that have been recently harvested.

What is the seasonal availability of Kumamoto oysters?

They are available all year. The best is March-October.

Oyster sauce

What sauce goes with Kumamoto oysters?

Sauces that pair well with the Kumamoto oyster include soy sauce, wasabi, chili garlic sauce, and mignonette sauce (a simple mixture of red wine vinegar, shallots, and black pepper).

Mignonette sauce, a piquant sauce made with vinegar and shallots that you sprinkle on top of the oyster, much like a squeeze of lemon juice, is a classic accompaniment to raw oysters.

Here’s a link to an article with a detailed mignonette sauce recipe.

What are some recipes for Kumamoto oysters for the novice oyster lover?

  1. Four specific Kumamoto oyster recipes plus 7 other oyster recipes
  2. Kaki Fry recipe
  3. Oysters Rockefeller
  4. Kumamoto Oysters with Lime Vinaigrette
  5. Kumamoto Oysters with Ponzu Granita and Tobiko

For beginning oyster eaters, what’s the best wine to pair with Kumamoto oysters?

When it comes to wine pairings, the best way to match an oyster with wine is by looking at its flavor profile. Try pairing Kumamoto oysters with a light and crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.

Nutritional benefits of Kumamoto oysters

What are the nutritional benefits of eating Kumamoto oysters?

Kumamoto oysters are a good source of protein, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, manganese and B12. These micronutrients, in combination with calcium, are thought to be key to slowing or even preventing bone loss in older women due to osteoporosis. Dietary sources of these minerals are thought to be more effective than supplements.

They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. In addition, Kumamoto oysters are low in calories and fat, making them a healthy choice for those looking to lose or maintain a healthy weight. A three-ounce serving of Kumamoto oysters contains only 66 calories and 1 gram of fat.

How do you shuck an oyster?

To shuck an oyster, use an oyster knife and insert it into the knobby hinge of the oyster, twist the knife like turning a doorknob, slide the blade across the inside of the shell to cut the abductor muscle, and remove the pieces of broken shell and grit with the tip of the oyster knife. It’s that simple.

Where can you buy Kumamoto oysters online?

Pacific Seafood – Pacific Seafood offers the first and only Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Four-Star oysters in the world. Four-star is the highest designation in the BAP third-party certification program.

Fulton Fish Market – Fulton Fish Market’s oysters are harvested from the cold fresh waters of the Puget Sound in Washington.

Taylor Shellfish Farms

Taylor Shellfish Farms – Taylor Shellfish Farm’s Kumos are grown from mid-century, heirloom seeds rarely found outside of Chapman’s Cove, WA. Their pure genetic line dates to the original Japanese imports from the late 1940s.

In 1890, this family business began farming shellfish in the waters of the Puget Sound. Five generations later, they continue to provide their customers with the best shellfish the Pacific Northwest has to offer. 

Summary of Kumamoto oysters

Summary

Kumamoto oysters are cultivated in Japan by farmers in waters off the coast of Japan. The oysters can also be harvested in the wild or cultivated on aquaculture farms. In recent years, Kumamoto oysters have been sustainably harvested in the Pacific Northwest on South Puget Sound, WA and in Humbolt Bay, CA because the water conditions there are ideal for oyster cultivation and the ecosystem is thriving.

Kumamoto oysters are typically harvested after three to four years. The length of time required for cultivation varies depending on the desired size of the oysters.

Kumamoto oysters offer a variety of nutritional benefits, including proteins, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, manganese and B12. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. In addition, Kumamoto oysters are low in calories and fat.

The process of shucking an oyster is simple. Instructions and a video were provided as instructions.

Several online sources of Kamamoto oysters were given. These companies will ship directly to you.

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