Oyster Size

Oyster Size

Oysters are available and sold in many different sizes. Most often, the smallest oysters sold weigh about 30 grams, while the largest weigh between 130 and 150 grams. It is the weight that is common among the farmed oysters.

Although oysters can well reach more than 150 grams in weight, there is no reason to let them get that big. There is no demand for such large oysters. It's simply too big a mouthful for most people.

The designations for the size of an oyster vary, among other things, in connection with what type of oyster it is. The designation for the size of the European oyster (the flat oyster, or the Belon oyster in France) is different from the designation for the size of the Pacific oyster (the deep oyster).

 

 

Oyster season

 

The European oysters / the Belon oyster is denoted by numbers in France. 4 is the smallest, while 00 is the largest.

4: 40 gram (petit)

3: 50 gram (moyen)

2: 60 gram (moyen)

1: 75 gram (moyen)

0: 90 gram (grand)

00: 100 gram (trés grand)

 

Oyster Species

 

The size of the Pacific oyster - the deep oyster, or Gigas oyster - is also denoted by numbers. 5 are the smallest while 0 is the largest.

5: 30-45 gram (petit)

4: 46-65 gram (moyen)

3: 66-85 gram (moyen)

2: 86-110 gram (moyen)

1: 111-150 gram (grand)

0: 150 - gram (trés grand)

 

Oysters in New York

 

In US oysters are often measured in length, in inches. One inch corresponds to around 2.5 cm. Eastern Oysters (Atlantic Oyster) are often sold when they are between three and five inches, although they become around eight inches when they reach maturity.

2.5 - 3 inches - X-small

3 - 3.5 inches - small

3.5 - 4 inches - small/medium

4 - 4.5 inches - medium

4.5 - 5 inches - large

5 - inches - X-large

 

oyster size

So what size oyster to choose? If the oysters are to be eaten natural, possibly with a little vinaigrette or similar, it is best to choose an oyster of between 60 and 100 grams (3 to 4.5 inches). Then it is not too big to be taken in a mouthful. And at the same time not so small that it does not taste of anything.

If, on the other hand, the oyster is to be included as an ingredient in a dish, it can be an advantage to choose a larger oyster. Then there is more to work with.