Basic Profile

Origin
Pacific coast of Mexico, especially the estuaries of Nayarit
Species
Crassostrea corteziensis (Cortez oyster, ostión de placer)
Classification
Farmed and wild
Farming Method
Collected wild and farmed in estuaries such as Boca del Camichín
Producer
Nayarit cooperatives, among others
Visual Signature
Mangrove-estuary oyster

Crassostrea corteziensis, the "pleasure oyster" or ostión de placer, is collected and cultured in Nayarit on Mexico's Pacific coast, and improving its culture is seen as a way to support coastal communities.1

Cortez oysters (Crassostrea corteziensis)
Cortez oysters (Crassostrea corteziensis). Photo: Sinaloa Silvestre / Wikimedia (CC0)

An Alternative to the Pacific Oyster

Oyster growers in north-west Mexico have faced severe mortalities in farmed Pacific oysters since 1997, and the native Cortez oyster is emerging as an alternative.2 It carries its own risks: surveys in Nayarit's estuaries, Boca del Camichín and Pozo Chino, found parasites including Perkinsus marinus, the agent of Dermo disease.12

Flavor Breakdown

What's known
We found no published tasting study. It is a warm-water estuary oyster, eaten in Mexico raw with lime and hot sauce or in cocteles.
When
The cool months, as with any warm-water oyster.

What Makes Cortez Oyster Unique

The Cortez oyster is Mexico's own Pacific-coast oyster, being farmed more as the introduced Pacific oyster struggles in the north-west.2 Its future depends on whether growers can keep parasites like Dermo in check.1

Mexico's native Pacific-coast oyster, returning as the farmed Pacific falters. Eat it on the Nayarit coast with lime and chile.

Should You Add Lemon?

Yes

Lime, the Mexican way.

Pairing Guide

1
Mexican lager with lime

The coast's drink.

2
Michelada

Salt, lime and chile to match the plate.

OptimalLime and hot sauce
AcceptableSalsa
AvoidNothing

Who Is This For?

Will love it
  • Travelers on Mexico's Pacific coast
  • Anyone interested in native species
Sources
  1. Cáceres-Martínez, J., Vásquez-Yeomans, R. & Padilla-Lardizábal, G. (2010). Parasites of the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultured in Nayarit, Mexico. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 22: 141–151. doi.org/10.1577/H09-052.1
  2. Cáceres-Martínez, J. et al. (2008). Perkinsus marinus in pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis from Nayarit, Pacific coast of México. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 99: 66–73. doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2008.03.005
Tasting notes & flavor profile in the Oysterminds app →