Basic Profile

Origin
Laguna Guerrero Negro, Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico
Species
Crassostrea gigas (Pacific oyster)
Classification
Farmed; Baja Shellfish Farms brand
Farming Method
Rack-and-bag
Producer
Baja Shellfish Farms
Visual Signature
Pacific oyster shell

Baja Shellfish Farms was founded near Ensenada in 1991 by the oceanologist Sergio Guevara, first farming Mediterranean mussels. It moved into oysters in 2007 with the Kumiai, now its signature brand, and in 2017 added the wave-tumbled Pai Pai and El Chingón.1

Kumiai oysters with pirul mignonette at Deckman's, Valle de Guadalupe
Kumiai oysters with pirul mignonette at Deckman's, Valle de Guadalupe. Photo: T.Tseng / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The Lagoon

Kumiai oysters grow rack-and-bag in Laguna Guerrero Negro, near Vizcaíno Bay, where the California Current brings cold, nutrient-rich water down the coast. The name honors the Kumiai people, who lived on the Baja California peninsula and ate the local shellfish as one of their main foods.2

Flavor Breakdown

In a distributor's words
"A crisp briny taste and a sweet finish."2
The water
A lagoon beside Vizcaíno Bay, fed by the cold California Current, whose upwelling supports plenty of phytoplankton year-round.2

What Makes Kumiai Unique

Kumiai is a Pacific oyster from Mexico, grown far south of most North American oyster farms, in a lagoon kept cool by the California Current.2 Its grower started with mussels in 1991 and added oysters in 2007.1 The name honors the Kumiai people, who ate shellfish from this coast long before anyone farmed it.2

A crisp, briny Pacific from a Baja lagoon, grown far south of the usual oyster map. Try it with lime.

Should You Add Lemon?

Yes

Lime works as well as lemon.

Pairing Guide

1
Mexican lager

Cold and simple.

2
Valle de Guadalupe white

A Baja wine for a Baja oyster.

OptimalLime
AcceptableSalsa or hot sauce
AvoidNothing needed

Who Is This For?

Will love it
  • Anyone curious about Mexican oysters
  • Fans of briny Pacifics
Sources
  1. Baja Shellfish Farms. "Our Story." bajashellfish.com
  2. Santa Monica Seafood. "Oysters, Kumiai." santamonicaseafood.com
Tasting notes & flavor profile in the Oysterminds app →