Oysters

Oysters are a true delicacy and make a healthy and elegant accompaniment to any drinks party or dinner. At Krijn Verwijs, we benefit from nearly 140 years of experience with this fine product. At the same time, we combine our experience with the latest techniques and technologies. The result? An absolute top product, all year round.

Provenance

Yerseke is Europe’s number one centre for molluscs. It began around 1870 with the construction of the first oyster pits. This invention enabled the growers and dealers to store the fished oysters for an extended period on land. In those days, the oysters were Zealandic flat oysters. Following the harsh winter of 1963 and the oyster virus of the 1980s, stocks of Zealandic flat oysters were severely depleted. This led to the introduction of the Pacific oyster. Today, the Zealandic flat oyster is again doing well and Krijn Verwijs offers both varieties.

Krijn Verwijs oysters come from the Eastern Scheldt, Lake Grevelingen, Ireland and France – partly from our own oyster grounds and partly from other reputable oyster growers. Thanks to exclusive partnerships, sound agreements and high quality standards, we are thus assured of delicious oysters all year round.

Cultivation and harvest

The traditional way of gathering oyster seeds was to place roof tiles prepared with lime on the sea floor. The oyster larvae could adhere to them and grow into adult oysters. Over the years, the roof tiles have largely been replaced by mussel shells, which play the same role, providing a place for the oyster larvae to attach themselves to. This is the seabed cultivation method.

Another modern method of cultivation is using oyster seeds from hatcheries. These facilities simulate optimum conditions for the oyster and through selection of the seed, triploid oysters are grown. Triploid oysters are hybrids, they do not reproduce and are therefore available all year round. Oyster growers, including us, buy the oyster seeds and put them out in bags which are placed on tables in the sea. With this cultivation method, the oysters are far less likely to fall prey to natural predators and they have ideal conditions to grow. Our La Zélandaise and Summer Oysters are grown in this way.

Dilution and purification centre

After harvesting, the oysters go to Krijn Verwijs' dilution and purification centre. Here we have in-house, fully monitored oyster pits containing purified Eastern Scheldt water. The constant water quality and conditions ensure an optimum environment and purification of the oysters. The oysters remain here for at least 24 hours.

Packing

We use round baskets and rectangular wooden baskets to pack our oysters in – a decorative element in themselves. If you're looking for a leak-proof packaging, we can also oblige.

Our assortment oysters

Premier Zeeuwse Oesters Standaard

The Zeeland Oyster Standard comes from both the Eastern Scheldt and Grevelingenmeer lake. The temperature, salinity and soil conditions in this pure water are ideal for oyster cultivation. After harvesting these oysters, they are stored in our fully climate-controlled oyster cellar, where they purify themselves of sand and silt. This oyster has a soft structure and a robust, salty flavour.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Zeeuwse Oesters Speciaal

The Zeeland Oyster special is cultivated in the Eastern Scheldt and Grevelingenmeer lake. The sheltered location of these areas and excellent conditions make for high-quality oysters with a beautiful full shell and soft creamy flavour. Oysters Special are selected by the shape and depth of the shell.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

No

Jun

No

Jul

No

Aug

No

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Oesters La Zélandaise

La Zélandaise is a Zeeland oyster cultivated the French way. The special cultivation techniques acquired in France, combined with the typical Zeeland approach, produces oysters of superior quality. The appearance of the shell and exceptional flavour qualify this oyster for our Suprême range.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

No

Feb

No

Mar

No

Apr

No

May

No

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Platte Oesters

This oyster finds its home in the Grevelingenmeer. It distinguishes itself by its high quality and richly full shell. However, this oyster takes longer to grow and is more difficult to work with. it requires a lot more attention from the grower. The season of flat oysters takes off in September and lasts until Apri; the months with an 'r'. The French word 'huître'is derived from this. In total there are eight months with an 'r', and so 'huître' is literally translated as 'eight r's'.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

No

Jun

No

Jul

No

Aug

No

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Irish Oysters Fines

The Irish Oysters Fines come from Ireland, where the climate and cool seawater are eminently suitable for oyster cultivation. The oysters are harvested in two different areas, each with a dynamic of its own, producing an exciting nuance of flavours. This exclusive delicacy has a soft, extremely refined flavour, and is perfect for eating both raw and cooked. A true culinary allrounder!

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Irish Oysters Speciale

The Irish Oysters Speciale come from Ireland They are cultivated in a special fashion (in racks, on tables), ensuring a rich and beautifully shaped shell content. This elegant oyster stands out with its fine structure and surprisingly creamy flavour. This distinct character makes the oyster eminently suitable for eating it plain but you can also try it with a few drops of lemon juice, which brings out the sweet tones of this salty delicacy.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Irish Oysters Suprême

The Irish Oyster Suprême is an oyster from Ireland. After growing for three to four years, the oyster is of exceptional quality. It is cultivated in the bays of the charming region of Kerry, known for the Ring of Kerry, in the south-west of the country. The seawater there abounds in nutrients, which allows the oyster to reach an excellent weight and develop a special natural, somewhat sweetish flavour. After careful grading, only the finest oysters are classified as Suprême.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes
Premier Zomer Oesters

De zomeroesters worden op de Franse wijze gekweekt in zakken, die op tafels in het water geplaatst worden. De zakken worden regelma-tig gedraaid, waardoor de oesters tot een mooie vorm groeien. Dankzij het voedselrijke en zuivere water waarin de oesters gekweekt worden, hebben ze een hoog visgewicht en een heerlijke, fijne smaak. Deze oester smaakt heerlijk bij een glas witte wijn op een zonnig terras.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

No

Feb

No

Mar

No

Apr

No

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

No

Nov

No

Dec

No
Premier Valentijn Oesters

Speciaal voor Valentijn hebben wij de Premier Valentijn Oester geselecteerd. Deze oesters worden in zakken op tafels gekweekt in Ierland. Binnen de twee tot vier jaar die ze nodig hebben om tot consump-tie oester uit te groeien, worden ze enkele malen verplaatst om te voorkomen dat ze over elkaar heen groeien. Zo krijgen ze eveneens voortdurend optimale voeding, wat resulteert in oesters van hoogwaardi-ge kwaliteit.
De fijne zilte smaak maakt deze oester een echte alleskunner die het Valentijnsdiner extra speciaal maakt

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

No

Feb

Yes

Mar

No

Apr

No

May

No

Jun

No

Jul

No

Aug

No

Sep

No

Oct

No

Nov

No

Dec

No
Premier Woeste Oesters

Ruw van buiten, zacht en zilt van binnen.

In de periode dat de Premier Oesters Standaard uit de Oosterschelde en Premier Oesters Speciaal uit het Grevelingenmeer niet voorradig zijn bieden wij als alternatief de Premier Woeste Oesters aan. Deze oesters zijn vergelijkbaar met bovenstaande oesters, maar afkomstig uit Ierland.

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

No

Feb

No

Mar

No

Apr

No

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

No

Oct

No

Nov

No

Dec

No
Premier Oysters to Go

Deze oesters zijn ideaal om mee te nemen naar het park, op de boot of tijdens een picknick op een mooie dag. Dit complete pakket met 6 Premier Oesters, een vinaigrette, oestermes en doek om de oesters mee open te steken

Fishing areas & availability

Jan

Yes

Feb

Yes

Mar

Yes

Apr

Yes

May

Yes

Jun

Yes

Jul

Yes

Aug

Yes

Sep

Yes

Oct

Yes

Nov

Yes

Dec

Yes