Ostra Regal
Oyster FAQ
Everything you want to know about choosing, storing, opening and enjoying oysters.
How many oysters per person?
Count 6 oysters as a starter, 9–12 as a main course, and up to 18 for a tasting platter among enthusiasts.
How do oyster grades (the numbers) work?
For cupped oysters, grades run from n°5 (smallest) to n°0 (largest): the lower the number, the plumper the oyster. Ostra Regal comes mainly in n°2, 3 and 4.
What is the best season to eat oysters?
Ostra Regal oysters can be enjoyed year-round. The "R months" (September–April) traditionally offer the firmest oysters; in summer some become milky (spawning season).
How do I store fresh oysters?
Keep them flat, cupped side down, in a closed weighted basket, at the bottom of the fridge (about 5 °C). Best consumed within 7–9 days of leaving the water.
How do I open an oyster safely?
Protect the holding hand with a folded cloth, insert an oyster knife near the hinge, sever the muscle along the top shell, then lift it off. Discard the first liquor: a second one forms.
What is "pousse-en-conche"?
It is a low-density farming method that gives the oyster a deep, well-formed shell and generous flesh. Ostra Regal grows pousse-en-conche in Bannow Bay (Ireland) before refining in claires.
Brittany oyster vs Arcachon oyster — what's the difference?
The waters: the lively, cold, strongly iodised waters of our Irish beds (Dundrum Bay, Bannow Bay) yield an oyster with clean iodine and firm flesh, whereas Arcachon often offers softer, woodier notes. Ostra Regal is then purified and shipped from Cancale.
What is oyster "milkiness"?
In warm months the oyster spawns: its flesh turns white and creamy ("milky"). It is edible and safe, but the texture is richer — a matter of taste.
Can you eat oysters while pregnant?
Eating raw oysters is not recommended during pregnancy (bacterial/viral risk). Cooked, they may be acceptable. If in doubt, consult a health professional.
Raw or cooked oysters?
Ostra Regal is best enjoyed raw, plain or with a squeeze of lemon. It also lends itself to warm preparations (gratinéed, poached) that reveal other aromas.
Where can I buy Ostra Regal oysters?
Ostra Regal is a premium selection distributed to professionals (restaurants, oyster bars, fine grocers). Contact La Famille Boutrais via the contact page to become a partner or distributor.
Which wine pairs with oysters?
A dry, mineral white: Muscadet sur lie, Chablis, Sancerre, or a brut nature champagne. The acidity and minerality support the iodine without overpowering it.
How do I tell if an oyster is fresh?
A fresh oyster is heavy, tightly closed (or closes when tapped), full of clear liquor, and smells cleanly of iodine and sea.
Flat or cupped oyster — which is Ostra Regal?
Ostra Regal is a cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas), the most common and plumpest type, with a deep shell shaped by pousse-en-conche.
How far in advance should I open oysters?
Open them at the last moment, ideally less than 30 minutes before serving, to preserve the liquor and freshness. Discard the first liquor and let the second re-form.
How do I present a fine oyster platter?
On a bed of crushed ice, optionally seaweed, with lemon wedges, shallot vinegar, rye bread and salted butter. Place oysters cup-side down to keep the liquor.
Are oysters high in calories?
No: about 65 kcal per 100 g. Oysters are rich in zinc, iron, omega-3 and vitamin B12, while low in fat.
Can oysters be frozen?
Not raw in the shell (texture is ruined). However, shucked oysters can be frozen for later cooked use (gratins, sauces).
Do you deliver oysters?
Ostra Regal is a selection intended for professionals. For any distribution or partnership request, use the contact page — we will direct you to the right contact.
What sets Ostra Regal apart from other premium oysters?
Four years of farming, low-density pousse-en-conche on our Irish beds (Dundrum Bay, Bannow Bay), refining in claires, and purification and hand selection in Cancale: every oyster combines generous flesh, clean iodine and consistency.