Chef’s Notes
Mason Bostwick · Executive Chef
Eastern oyster
Great Gun — Great Gun — Bold brine — buttery and moriches bay. A solid farmed eastern oyster.
Flavor chart
Chef palate read
Shuckability
Shell & line performance
When I buy it
Look for Great Gun Oysters in peak season when salinity peaks.
How I serve it
On the half shell with minimal garnish — let the oyster speak.
What to watch for
Full brine with creamy finish. Reject any with broken shells or milky liquor.
My read
Bold brine — buttery and moriches bay. A solid farmed eastern oyster.
Quick Facts
- Location: Great Gun oysters grow in Moriches Bay, Long Island, New York.
- Availability: These oysters are harvested year-round, every week of the year, ensuring consistent supply.
- Flavor Profile: Great Gun oyster’s taste varies based on their location within the farm and the season.
- Sustainable Practices: The farm grows kelp alongside oysters, potentially influencing the oyster’s flavor and promoting eco-friendly aquaculture.
- Traceability: Great Gun oysters develop in the same bags from planting to harvest. This creates a traceable flavor profile unique to their microenvironment.
What Are Great Gun Oysters?
Great Gun oysters are cultivated in the pristine waters of Moriches Bay on Long Island. They supply a one-of-a-kind taste experience that delights seafood lovers. Owner Paul McCormick studies the elements of merroir on his farm. He unlocks how these factors shape each oyster’s exquisite flavor profile.
What makes Great Gun oysters truly unique is their year-round availability. Unlike many oyster farms with seasonal harvests, Great Gun harvests its oysters every week. This ensures a consistent supply of fresh shellfish for restaurants and seafood enthusiasts. Consumers can enjoy these oysters regardless of the season.
Another distinguishing factor of Great Gun oysters is their association with kelp cultivation. McCormick grows kelp alongside his oyster farm. This contributes to the distinct flavor notes sometimes detected in the oyster’s finish. This innovative approach to aquaculture not only enhances the oyster’s taste but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable farming practices.
How Did Great Gun Oysters Get Their Name?
Great Gun oysters derive their name from Great Gun Beach. This beach sits directly south of the farm along the Fire Island National Seashore. The name anchors the brand to its Long Island coastal setting.
Great Gun Beach forms part of the Fire Island National Seashore near Moriches Bay. Paul McCormick chose the name to honor that local landmark. It signals the oyster’s strong connection to its Moriches Bay environment.
About Great Gun Shellfish Company
Paul McCormick is a visionary aquaculturist who founded Great Gun Shellfish Company in 2013. This transformation turned Moriches Bay, Long Island, into a thriving oyster haven. He changed his career and returned to the waters. That move showcases his passionate commitment to reviving New York’s rich oyster heritage.
The company’s name draws inspiration from the nearby Great Gun Beach along the Fire Island National Seashore. It echoes the powerful flavors of its prized oysters. McCormick’s innovative approach to sustainable aquaculture produces exceptional oysters. It also contributes significantly to the health of local waters.
Great Gun Shellfish Company stands out with its year-round harvesting schedule. The farm nurtures around 700,000 oysters and plans to triple capacity to 3,000,000. McCormick’s floating farm design uses suitcase-style mesh bags exposed to sun for natural cleanliness. That approach reflects his commitment to quality and sustainability.
The company’s reputation for excellence has catapulted Great Gun oysters onto the menus of prestigious restaurants across the nation. Discerning chefs and oyster enthusiasts alike savor these Long Island delicacies. They enjoy them in the bustling streets of New York City. The glitz of Las Vegas and the glamour of Los Angeles also boast these oysters.
In a groundbreaking move, McCormick integrates kelp cultivation alongside his oysters. This pioneering practice enhances the farm’s sustainability. It also contributes to the unique flavor profile of Great Gun oysters. This sets them apart in the competitive world of premium shellfish.
Follow Them
Discover the unique taste of Great Gun oysters straight from Moriches Bay! Visit their official site to explore their story and order these briny delights directly from the source. Follow Great Gun Shellfish on social media for fresh updates, oyster tips, and a glimpse into sustainable aquaculture. Don’t miss out on these Long Island gems – your taste buds will thank you!
Great Gun Oysters Information
Eastern oyster
If you like Great Gun Oysters, then check out these similar varieties!
Location
Great Gun oysters are cultivated in Moriches Bay on Long Island, New York. Moriches Bay sits on Suffolk County’s South Shore between the Moriches Inlet and the Great South Bay. This sheltered estuary offers environmental factors that support oyster growth and prosperity.
The farm’s proximity to Moriches Inlet provides a constant flow of water rich in plankton and algae. These nutrients are essential food sources for oysters. This environment contributes to rapid growth, sometimes reaching market size in nine months. The usual harvest window runs 12 to 18 months.
The bay’s connection to the Atlantic Ocean creates a dynamic ecosystem that benefits oyster cultivation. Higher salinity levels contribute to the oyster’s distinctive flavor profile. Steady tidal exchange also keeps the farm flushed with fresh seawater.
The Farms Design
Paul McCormick’s floating farm design places oysters at the top of the water column where food is most abundant. The farm uses suitcase-style mesh bags that expose one side to the sun. That exposure keeps bag surfaces clean without harsh treatment. High-quality seed from Aeros Cultured Oyster Company rounds out the growth program.
The farm’s location along the Fire Island National Seashore offers protection from extreme weather. It still allows enough water movement for ideal cultivation. Oysters here also filter the bay and improve local water quality. That balance supports both farm productivity and ecosystem health.
At full capacity, Great Gun’s oysters can filter up to 15 million gallons of water daily. They remove excess nitrogen and convert it into a safe byproduct. This natural filtration helps keep algae blooms in check. It demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between the farm and Moriches Bay.
Suggested Beverage Pairings
Lustau La Ina fino sherry brings bone-dry saline quality beside Great Gun brininess. Nutty yeasty notes contrast sweet buttery Moriches Bay texture with crisp refreshing finish.
Bowmore 12 Year brings maritime smoke beside Great Gun briny essence. Peppery Islay notes accentuate sharp start while sweetness harmonizes with buttery garlic undertones.
Crémant de Vouvray offers bright Chenin fruit beside Great Gun saltiness and brininess. Sparkling sweetness complements robust Moriches Bay salinity on Long Island cups.
Domaine Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet brings bright acidity beside Great Gun complex flavors. Stony Languedoc white matches sweet garlic finish on Moriches Bay Virginica.
Blood orange radler brings sweet acidity beside Great Gun briny opening. Light beer refreshment suits long raw-bar sessions on Long Island half shells.
Where Can I Buy Great Gun Oysters?
- Great Gun Oysters Official Website: The company’s official website offers direct sales of their oysters. They are harvested fresh daily and shipped directly to your door.
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References
- “Great Gun Shellfish.” Long Island Oyster Growers Association, www.liogany.org/great-gun-shellfish. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- Rattiner, Dan. “Paul McCormick And His Great Gun Shellfish Company Raise Oysters And Clean Moriches Bay.” 27east.com, 27 East, 27 Aug. 2018, www.27east.com/food-drinks/paul-mccormick-and-his-great-gun-shellfish-company-raise-oysters-and-clean-moriches-bay-1386780/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- Betts, Aly. “Say ‘Shuck Yeah’ to These 4 Long Island Oyster Farms.” Edible Long Island, 1 July 2022, www.ediblelongisland.com/2022/07/01/4-long-island-oysters-farms-you-need-to-try/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- Great Gun Oysters. “Great Gun Oysters | Long Island’s Premier Oyster Shipped Overnight.” Great Gun Oysters, greatgun.com. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.”
- Sourced: Great Gun Oysters.” FreshDirect, www.freshdirect.com/blog/sourced-great-gun-oysters/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
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