Local News

Expect Gulf Oysters To Be Sweeter This Year Due to This Cold Winter

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From November to April, oysters are in peak season in Texas. This year, the San Antonio Express-News explains that there will be less Gulf oysters due to the impact of Harvey, so the prices will jump up. But, those who do spend a little extra on oysters this season might be pleasantly surprised as to how sweet they’ll taste.

The San Antonio Express-News writes, “Oysters are programmed to start storing glycogen when temperatures dip, and January’s arctic blast will translate to a sweeter, fuller taste come February — the peak time to harvest oysters for raw consumption on the half shell.”

It will be interesting for oyster fans to see how much of a difference they can note when consuming the oysters originating from the Gulf of Mexico this year. According to Oysterater, a website where users can review specific kinds of oysters, Gulf oysters are normally thought to be “large, tender, meaty, and mild (due to the freshwater influence of the Mississippi River).”

If you’re concerned about the Lone Star State running out of oysters to fill our tables, the San Antonio Express-News says not to worry, there will still be plenty of oysters gathered from the East and West coast available in restaurants across the state. Some Texas oysters will also make their way over to the East coast where they’re often used for chowders due to their plump size.