Mintersweet is a mild oyster with a full cup grown in Minter Bay. The mild sweetness is a result of the fresh water influence and excellent feed in the water. After being in shallower waters of Minter Bay for the majority of their growth, they are then moved to deeper waters to strengthen their shells and meats. Once harvested from there, counted and culled, the Mintersweets spend a regenerating time back in Minter Bay until just hours before they are boxed and shipped. This is to make sure that the oysters are at peak strength and condition, and offers maximum shelf life.
Oysterology
Product Specifications
Specie:
Crassostrea gigas
Origin:
Minter Bay, WA
(USA)
Farmed
Average Size:
2.5+ inches
Available:
Year-round
Flavor Profile
Subtle salinity with a hint of sweetness, and a clean crisp cucumber finish.
Suggested Pairing:
Dry Gin
Brine Intensity
Growout method
The first 3/4 of their life they are beach grown in Minter Bay, they are then moved to deeper finishing beds just outside the mouth of the bay for the remainder of their growth until harvested, counted and culled. They are then moved back to the inner bay where they regenerate until final shipping time.
Site Details
Tides:
Minter Bay; tides from Minter Creek flowing into Henderson Bay.
Bottom:
Sand and rock.
the Grower
When Minterbrook Oyster Farm owner Kent Kingman took over the reins from Beverly Wiksten in 2011, he bought an industrial pillar of the Key Peninsula community with roots that date back to 1931. The Minterbrook plant is located in a park-like setting with a beautiful backdrop of the ever-changing tidelands of Minter Bay with Mt. Rainier framed in the background. With an amazing variety of wildlife all around (deer, eagles, salmon, seals and birds of all sorts); people love to come and enjoy the beauty of the setting besides taking home some of their excellent shellfish.
