Tasting guide aims to generate increased demand for oysters

The Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) has produced a Pacific Oyster Tasting Guide published in time for the start of the native oyster season today.

The free guide is part of a series of events to promote shellfish and aims to demonstrate the wide variety of tastes and flavours in Pacific (or Rock) oysters from across the UK and encourage both seafood lovers and seafood novices to try oysters from different areas.

Dr Tom Pickerell, SAGB director, said the guide can help raise awareness of oysters and generate increased demand. "Ultimately we want to see people move away from blindly ordering a dozen oysters and think about choosing particular tasting oysters to suit their palates, their accompanying courses or even their drinks," he added.

Twelve varieties of Pacific oysters, ranging from West Scotland to South West Cornwall, are detailed on the guide with a description of nose, body, finish and texture in addition to ratings for flavour, saltiness, sweetness and umami.

There are plans to produce further guides with other varieties of oysters.