Emily went diving so yaall can start slurping tomorrow. Known more accurately as The European Flat Oyster (only true Belons come from the Belon River estuary in Brittany, France) these large oysters were transplanted to Maine decades ago. While local legend has it that they came from Europe in the bilge of ships and took root here long before we were a country, in truth they were deliberate transplants by scientists to the Boothbay Region in the 1950s. Here they were able to adapt to survive in Maines cold waters and were able to reproduce and establish various beds throughout the Maine coast. Supreme Lobsters Wild Belon are hand-harvested by Diver Emily Bichrest in sub tidal coves and inlets. These exquisite animals flourish on harder, rocky bottoms in rivers such as the Damariscotta. Unlike their cousins, Crassostrea virginica (Eastern Oyster), these oysters are round in shape, with very flat shells and little pronounced cup, and much larger than the common Eastern oyster. Their resemblance to a small saucer has earned them the nickname Plates. Because their abductor muscle is weaker than the American oyster, Belons are banded to help them remain closed and stored cup-down to retain their liquor. The creamy to light brown meat of these oysters is plump and substantial, with a big, pronounced flavor and metallic, coppery finish - distinct but far less briny than their Eastern Oyster cousins, with a sweet to flinty overtone. They are coveted when serviced on the half shell, but their full flavor also serves well when cooked for stews or soups (cooked, their meat will turn an ivory color). While some consider the European Oyster the finest eating in the world, others find it an acquired and unique taste because it is so dissimilar in flavor to the smaller Eastern and Pacific oyster species. Wild Maine Belon Oysters are an allowable catch in Maine from mid September until mid June - but are premium in October through March with colder water temperatures. With so few harvested a year (estimated at no more than 5,000), the Maine Belon is among the rarest oyster available anywhere. Maine Belons vary in size and are measured across the shell: Medium (approx 4 inches) Larges (6 inches) to Jumbo (up to 8 inches size). Availability is Seasonal and Limited.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:41:52 +0000
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