Oysters / Grassy Bar / Ocean Farming
Aug 29, 2022
ABOUT GRASSY BAR OYSTERS:
We zipped up to Morro Bay to snag some of Grassy Bar farm’s exquisite oysters. Grassy Bar is one of just two oyster farms on the Central Coast. The farm is at the south end of Morro Bay and the exposure to the open ocean gives their Pacific Oysters a deep, salty ocean flavor. Local sommelier Jesse Pender says Grassy Bar’s oysters are distinct for their hint of “garden cucumber and a lingering wet-river-stone minerality.”
George Trevelyan and his family have owned and worked Grassy Bar for 10 years. George is a native of San Diego and attended UCSB and UC Davis. He got his start at the Cayucos Abalone farm and saw an opportunity to take over Grassy Bar after the 2008 recession hit the California shellfish industry hard. They have 5.5 acres in operation out of 158 acres in their lease (this is all the State currently allows them to use).
The oysters are grown in mesh bags directly on the natural mudflats in Morro Bay's intertidal zone. Prior to harvest, the oysters are raised off the bottom onto racks for a few days which roll them with the tides to purge any silt that could be in their shells. On harvest each is washed and individually inspected. Grassy Bar oysters are featured in many Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco.
Oysters should be live until consumed. Keeping them cold and away from standing fresh water is key to keeping them live.
Shells should be tightly closed. If shells are open or easy to open, they are not live. Let us know if your oysters didn’t stay live and we will comp you!
Store them in their bag, laid flat in the fridge with the larger curved shell side down. The bag should stay sealed with some air in it to keep the humidity up.
How to shuck oysters: watch this quick video. Our friend Chef PA also suggests rinsing and flipping the oyster over before shooting. If you don't have an oyster shucker at home, you can purchase one from us at-cost.
They are very versatile and can be served baked, steamed, grilled, or raw. For wine pairings, stick with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre, or a sparkling wine or champagne.
George farming above
ABOUT OYSTER FARMING:
Oyster farming was practiced by the ancient Romans as early as the 1st century BC. These days, Miyagi oysters (aka Japanese oysters or Pacific oysters) are the most widely farmed oysters in the world, since they are easy to grow and adapt to new environments easily.
These marvelous mollusks can EACH clean up to 50 gallons of water a day. In the wild, oyster reefs create habitat for thousands of other sea creatures, many of which, like mussels and clams, also help filter water. Oyster beds shape the bottom of bays so that waves break before crashing on shore, creating protection during storm surges. Because they consume so much algae, they can help stop algae blooms that are harmful to bays and other marine species.
These days, most oysters in the marketplace are farmed.
Oysters are as sustainable as sustainable gets. Farming practices are low impact, and oysters filter and clean our waterways. Seafood Watch includes oysters in "the best of the best" on their Super Green List of seafood recommendations, based on the low level of environmental contaminants and rich health benefits.
RECIPES:
George recommends having his oysters on the BBQ, grilled with garlic butter, panko, parmesan, cayenne pepper and parsley. Serve with a sliced baguette and cucumber salad for an excellent meal. Using the broiler works well too.
Or try Real Good Fish’s Oysters Rockefeller. This appetizer was created in 1899 and features oysters topped with a mixture of finely chopped greens and copious amounts of butter and then baked in their shells. It was considered so rich that it was named after the richest man of the day, John D. Rockefeller.
