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Have the Avg Size of Gulf Oysters Shrunk Over the Years
Posted on 7/11/25 at 10:25 pm
Posted on 7/11/25 at 10:25 pm
I live in DFW. Everywhere I get Gulf Oysters the past few years have been very small. They are the size of East Coast oysters now. I thought maybe it was just because those were the only ones they could get here but I got the same size this past week while in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Lagniappe and Parrain’s were small also. I really remember eating them through the years and would get some the size of a cow’s tongue it felt.
8
Posted on 7/11/25 at 11:00 pm to Lsudx256
quote:
I thought maybe it was just because those were the only ones they could get here but I got the same size this past week while in Baton Rouge
Well this is your problem. Gulf Oysters are smaller in the summer.
Posted on 7/12/25 at 6:53 am to Lsudx256
Before sacks shrunk to the mini-size they are now and carrying a premium price to boot, I can remember buying full, 100 lb. sacks and it was not unusual for them to have what we referred to as "shoe sole" oysters mixed in the bunch.
Many times I opened oysters that when out of the shell could damn near cover my entire hand.
I think what's happening now is that since "sacks" are so small, the sellers at least want to keep the per oyster count up so they can claim there's 8 dozen in the sack---------------and they are mostly smaller per oyster to accomplish that.
Many times I opened oysters that when out of the shell could damn near cover my entire hand.
I think what's happening now is that since "sacks" are so small, the sellers at least want to keep the per oyster count up so they can claim there's 8 dozen in the sack---------------and they are mostly smaller per oyster to accomplish that.
Posted on 7/12/25 at 7:06 am to Lsudx256
They are typically bigger during oyster season…
Posted on 7/12/25 at 7:13 am to Lsudx256
They begin shrinking every year around May and grow again around September
Posted on 7/12/25 at 8:02 am to Lsudx256
Get some Navy Cove Oysters. Uniform in size and taste.
Posted on 7/12/25 at 10:45 am to Lsudx256
A couple of factors may impact the shell size of oysters coming to market. For dredged oysters, area closures and openings result in size differences as oysters from overharvested and underharvested bottoms come to market. There was a large Louisiana closure back early in the year. Farmed oysters are intended for the half-shell market which demands top price for smaller (single easy gulp) ones. In the NE and NW farmed oysters are prevalent. Farming is increasing in the Gulf.
This post was edited on 7/12/25 at 11:09 am
Posted on 7/12/25 at 2:26 pm to Tree_Fall
quote:
Farmed oysters are intended for the half-shell market which demands top price for smaller (single easy gulp) ones. In the NE and NW farmed oysters are prevalent. Farming is increasing in the Gulf.
This. If you are getting “Gulf oysters” in DFW they probably are coming from some of these newer specialty farming operations. They all seem to be really good quality, but they are a bit different sell what most people expect of Gulf oysters.
Posted on 7/12/25 at 4:56 pm to Lsudx256
If you know anything about their reproductive cycles you’ll know why summer oysters are so salty
Posted on 7/12/25 at 5:12 pm to Ruston Trombone
Summer gulf (bottom harvest) oysters are notoriously lacking salt.
Posted on 7/13/25 at 8:07 am to Tree_Fall
That is correct. The oyster farms sell to the yuppie crowd who like their food uniform and homogenized and organic meaning you pay twice for half as much.
Posted on 7/13/25 at 9:29 am to OTIS2
quote:
Summer gulf (bottom harvest) oysters are notoriously lacking salt.
That's been my lifelong experience, and that's now 72 years worth.
Warm/hot weather oysters are typically skinny, lacking the salty flavor and to me, actually have an aftertaste that I find unappealing.
Posted on 7/13/25 at 10:04 am to Ruston Trombone
quote:
summer oysters are so salty
That would be nice. It's quite the opposite though
Posted on 7/13/25 at 4:45 pm to Lsudx256
While I don't like tiny oysters, "huge" oysters aren't as desirable either. I think there's a sweet spot in the middle that is "just right". Especially if you're frying them.
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