Ostrea edulis is the flatter "European" oyster. They were very common in Britain up until the 1920's. At one time being used to "beef up" steak pie, then a culmination of over fishing and a disease attached to oyster beds, decimating the stocks.
Ostrea edulis grows to market size in about 3-4 years and to a certain extent is seasonal- as they spawn.
Crassostrea gigas (Pacific Oyster), which we sell, are now farmed in Scotland particularly on the warmer west coast. They are cupped shape and grow much faster than the native's species approx 2 years. They also have the advantage in the fact that it is too cold for them to spawn in this country so they are available all year round.
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