THE BRANDY HOLE OYSTER COMPANY LIMITED

ABOUT THE BRANDY HOLE OYSTER COMPANY LIMITED

 In the 1800's over 200 boats and 500 workers were working the river, which helped keep the perfect conditions for breeding the Native Oysters (Ostrea edulis). Over 20,000 Bushels were taken to London each season, as well as exported to France & Holland.

There are currently two types of oyster in the Crouch.  The oysters at Brandy Hole are known commonly as Pacific or Rock Oysters (Crassotrea gigas) these are now the most common oyster in the world. Due to the decline in the Native oyster, Pacifics were introduced to the Essex waters in the 1930's by our Farm Manager's Grandfather; Harry Leslie DSC, RNVR, who owned the Essex Oyster Fisheries Company. He also experimented with Portugese (Ostrea angulata) which grew well but wouldn’t reproduce.

Oysters were farmed at Brandy Hole by the Burnham Oyster Company up until 1963, when the big freeze destroyed the beds. Over the last decade the Pacifics have come back as the conditions suit this hardy mollusc.

One feature of these home bred oysters is that their beards (that is breathing gills) are in the winter months more or less tinged with a green pigment. This peculiar green is imparted to them by the micro algae species (“Blue Navicula”) which grows abundantly in the River.  In Marennes-Oleron, France they grow the algae in laboratories and sell it to the French oyster cultivators, where it is added to the Clairs (Holding tanks) where they store the oysters. “Les Vertes” are considered a delicacy!  We have decided to call our Oysters “Brandy Hole Emeralds”. 

Our aim is establish the Brandy Hole Oyster brand as a premium local product for restaurants and fishmongers alike.

We have found some Natives growing wild amongst the Pacifics, and we have cleared an area where we are relaying this species.  We have started bringing in native seed oysters from Cornwall, to try to restore the stocks, which are now protected around the east coast.  Hopefully in the future we will be able to offer these beautiful little Oysters for sale.

The Brandy Hole Oyster Company Limited 2013