Word of the week: Blue Point Oysters

A Blue Point Oyster is a type of oyster that is grown ONLY in Long Island’s Great South Bay. Iconic among oyster-eating enthusiasts around the world, they embody our coastal heritage and were once the only oysters served at Buckingham Palace.

Blue Points thrive in shallow waters with sandy sea-floors and strong currents, making the area off Sexton Island, near the Fire Island Inlet, the perfect home to over two dozen oyster farms.

As important as what a Blue Point Oyster is, is what it’s not. It is NOT from Connecticut. It is not from Virginia. And it certainly is NOT from Florida. A Blue Point is an oyster grown in NY's Great South Bay on the South Shore of Long Island.

Blue Point oysters have been harvested in Long Island since the early 1800’s. Since then they have had a rich history in Long Island culture and beyond. In fact, Blue Point oysters were a favorite of Queen Victoria, and were at one time the only oyster to be served at Buckingham Palace.

While the oysters planted in our Great South Bay Oyster Project sanctuaries are meant to live their lives out in the water, Blue Point oysters from any one of our local farmers are a local delicacy to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Want to learn more about Blue Point oysters and meet the farmers? Join us at our upcoming Oyster Shindig on Friday, May 10 from 4:30-6:00 PM at the View in Oakdale where several local oyster farmers will be on hand to talk about their work. Advance ticket sales only on our website - www.savethegreatsouthbay.org.

Save The Great South Bay is a local environmental non-profit whose mission is to restore water quality in the Great South Bay for future generations to enjoy. Our Word of the Week initiative aims to make the scientific vocabulary of environmentalism accessible to everyone. View past Words of the Week at www.savethegreatsouthbay.org under News & Events in the Photo Gallery.