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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Growing your own oysters with The Oysterfarm, Wooli



They're here!

The G-man's email was simple. Oysters. His place. Wednesday.

I still remember the mobile phone call earlier this year. "Helen?" he'd asked, his constant smile audibly playing in his voice. "You like oysters, don't you..."

"Err... yes," I'd replied.

"Would you be interested in five dozen? Ones you grow?"

It didn't take me long to realise he was talking about The Oysterfarm, a system where you pay to grow your Sydney Rock oysters. A plot of three-year-old oysters are nurtured by farmers for a year and then, when they're determined to be at their prime condition, they're delivered fresh to your door.

I'd declined at the time but the G-man hadn't. He'd patiently and generously invested in ten dozen oysters with a friend. Suddenly it was time for the babies to come home and we were invited! G-man we love you!


Shucking oysters

The un-opened oysters arrive in a special container with oyster gloves and an oyster knife. I've brought along my own oyster shucker which is just as well as the oyster knife provided isn't that great, a little thin in the blade whereas mine is thicker and sharper with a larger thumb shield. I open two oysters but Pig Flyin' turns out to be the champion oyster shucker, opening them with ease amidst earnest claims it's only his first time. Really, we're not surprised.

Pig Flyin' says he goes in at the hinge, sliding in the blade and then turning it like a key. We just nod and smile with anticipation.



And the oysters? One word. Wow. The table is buzzing with loud exclamations, satisfied crooning and quiet sighs of satisfaction. The fresh oysters are plump and firm, awash in a sweet and salty natural brine that instantly transports you to the sea.

Nothing beats a freshly opened Sydney Rock oyster, and nothing beats having great foodie friends who are more than happy to share! Thanks G-man!


View Larger Map

Oysters must be ordered at the beginning of the season (November to February) and will be available sometime during November to February in the following year. You can monitor the progress of various oysters online and visit your own oysters in person if you make an appointment.

10 dozen oysters costs $250.

The Oysterfarm
Riverside Drive, Wooli, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9399 3599 or +61 (02) 6649 7355

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Oysters at Mooney Mooney (Oct08)
Oysters at Mooney Mooney (Sep07)
20 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 1/08/2009 11:48:00 pm


20 Comments:

  • At 1/09/2009 12:11 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Woow indeed! Those oysters looks so phat and juicy! Haha you are so pro with your own personalized oyster shucking knife ;)

     
  • At 1/09/2009 12:12 am, Blogger Karen | Citrus and Candy said…

    How cruel is life when I should stumble upon your luscious oyster photos at a time when I'm actually craving...you guessed it...oysters!

    Off to take a cold shower now :(

     
  • At 1/09/2009 12:50 am, Blogger PiCkLeS said…

    Do you think the oysters were better than the more expensive ones at the fish markets?

     
  • At 1/09/2009 5:23 am, Blogger SeaBreeze said…

    Diet Girl linked to you and OH MY GOD am I jealous of your fresh oysters. Due to the red tide here I am oyster-less for the foreseeable furture.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 7:49 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I love this concept! Makes me wonder if they have something like this where I live (U.S.). Happy Shucking!

     
  • At 1/09/2009 9:15 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Oh yum. I love delicious and fresh oysters.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 10:56 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    It's a really good idea for supporting the farmers. Buying shares in the oysters gives them an assured market and price.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 11:58 am, Blogger Miss Honey said…

    You own an oyster shucker! You're a brave woman, one of those in my house is a chopped off finger waiting to happen... Pity you can't grow your own oysters in your backyard - I would love that lol.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 12:27 pm, Blogger Gun said…

    I'm glad you enjoy my xmas gifts to you. :)

     
  • At 1/09/2009 1:46 pm, Blogger Howard said…

    This is an awesome concept and I had no idea it existed! Fair price for some freshly grown Oysters too.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 2:55 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    When I read the title of your post, I thought Gun had been growing the oysters himself on a balcony somewhere.

    They look briny and delicious.

     
  • At 1/09/2009 9:16 pm, Blogger mimbles said…

    I discovered on New Years Eve that one of my friend's parents are oyster farmers, he's promised to provide a fresh oyster feast at his place some day soon. Wonder if he's busy tomorrow...

     
  • At 1/09/2009 10:29 pm, Blogger Y said…

    Those look delicious! I didn't know you could "grow your own"!

     
  • At 1/10/2009 1:00 am, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi FFichiban - Well it's not actually personalised! But I do love a freshly shucked oyster, and after our trip to Mooney Mooney I knew I had to invest in one. So I did, and so glad I did :)

    Hi Karen - lol. Hope the shower helped!

    Hi Pickles - Absolutely. I find that even at the fish markets, the fact they open all the oysters under running water removes all of those glorious juices I relish so. Opening your own oysters is a bit slower than the professionals, but it's very rewarding - both in personal pride and wondrous flavour!

    Hi SeaBreeze - I'm not sure I even know what a red tide is, but no oysters. That's sad indeed :(

    Hi Alison - Ooh I'm sure someone must have something similar? Otherwise it's always worth a driving trip to go straight to the source and buy your own. Thanks for visiting :)

    Hi Emilyrena - Me too. I think they're Nature's perfect food :)

    Hi Arwen - That's a very good point. I hadn't even really thought of that. Well spotted.

    Hi Miss Honey - I was actually shucking oysters without the glove too. Probably a miracle I didn't lose a finger! Growing your own oysters in your backyard would be fun (and dangerously tempting too!).

    Hi Gun - Oh very much indeed. One of the tastiest gifts over Christmas, for sure :)

    Hi Howard - I've seen it advertised at various markets before but hadn't really investigated it seriously. It's a great idea. Imagine visiting your own oysters!

    Hi Veruca Salt - That would be a magical idea indeed. The oysters were great. Probably some of the best I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Amazingly flavoursome.

    Hi Mim - Oh wow. They're good friends to have! They're definitely keepers :)

    Hi Y - I struggled to come up with an appropriate word so whilst "grow your own" isn't entirely accurate, it sure did get everybody's attention! lol

     
  • At 1/10/2009 10:39 am, Blogger Annie said…

    You are a very lucky girl Helen! What must one do to meet these friends?!

     
  • At 1/11/2009 12:36 am, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Annie - lol. Plying them with cupcakes always helps :)

     
  • At 1/16/2009 2:12 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Ah yes, freshly opened Sydney rock oysters! All that lovely juice that incredibly gets rinsed away if you buy them already opened! Crazy! I now have two oyster knives - one stays in the car for our trips up the coast, where you can pick up great (and cheap) oysters straight from the farms. Try Nambucca Heads sometime. Is $250 per ten dozen a misprint - seems a bit steep to me?

    Stan

     
  • At 1/20/2009 12:50 am, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Stan - Wow, you keep an oyster knife in your car? That's better than any picnic rug :)

    No the $250 isn't a misprint. It does seem pricey but I think it's about having a connection with your oysters (you can watch them grow!) and being assured they'll be harvested and delivered at prime condition.

     
  • At 2/22/2009 7:22 am, Blogger hazchem said…

    I thought about it a lot since you posted this AG and last week I invested in a plot.

    I'm sure the expense will be long forgotten in around 12 months time when I have 10 dozen oysters at my door!

     
  • At 2/22/2009 10:11 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi hazchem - Oh wow, congratulations. Hope you get a chance to visit them too. Let me know how you find them when they finally "hatch" :)

     

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