Natural oysters lose condition after spawning, a process where they release reproductive cells into the water column in the hope of creating new oysters. This process creates genetic variation and resilience in our oysters as well as driving natural selection in the direction of quality.  

To minimise this condition change, we at Clevedon Coast Oysters grow our “Summer Harvest Oysters®” in deeper cooler water which maintains their condition better than when they are exposed to the hot summer sun directly.

During the summer when the oysters are in spawning condition, their condition will vary, depending upon water temperature. Rather than being fat and plump as they are in winter, the oysters vary between being creamy and once spawned, they are leaner with a sharper salty taste.

Clevedon Coast Oysters® are Certified Organic, and as a result of this the farms and factory are regularly audited by Asure Quality. As part of our commitment to growing natural, organic oysters we do not grow genetically altered oysters (which do not spawn in the summer and have very little to no variation in quality year-round). Instead, our natural, organic oysters have their own shape, natural character, and taste!

We hope you understand that while more variable, we are proud to bring our “Summer Harvest Oysters®” to our discerning customers who appreciate a natural product. As summer draws to a close and water temperature cools, each unique oyster will draw nutrients from the rich Hauraki Gulf waters to return to the premium quality we pride ourselves on.