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Average Basket weight
weight and number of oysters
   Calibers       1 oyster    6pcs 12pcs    24pcs       36pcs       48pcs       96pcs   
1 135g    0,82kg    1,8kg 4kg 5kg 8kg 15kg
2 102g 0,6kg    1,25kg    2,5kg 4kg 5kg 11kg
3 75g 0,45kg 1kg 2kg 3kg 4kg 8kg
4 55g 0,36kg 0,75kg 1,5kg 2kg 3kg 6kg
    6pcs 12pcs 24pcs 36pcs 48pcs 96pcs
   Number of oysters   
per basket
   6kg       8kg       15kg       Calibers   
42 54 102 1
54 70 128 2
72 96 180 3
96 128 240 4
6kg 8kg 15kg  

 

Huître de Normandie Ouest


Les Merveilles de la Manche are a careful selection of the best Normandy oysters.

 

 

With the Merveilles de la Manche, you get the best selection of Normandy oysters.

Caliber


Calibre des huîtres

Oysters are sorted according to their weight. The smaller the number of the caliber is, the bigger the oyster.

If you buy your oysters packed in a basket, the caliber, the weight and a minimum number of oysters is written on the label.

 


Ratio of flesh to total weight: the higher is this ratio, the fleshier is the oyster.

Fine Oyster: the ratio of flesh is under 10.5%, the oyster is thinner in the mouth.

Special Oyster: the ratio of flesh is over 10.5%, the oyster is more voluminous in the mouth.

 


0 to 18 months

Naissain huîtres

For its reproduction, the oyster abandons its eggs (spat) which bind on supports prepared by sea farmers.

The largest tides in Europe are on the coasts of Normandy and the streams are so strong that oysters can’t reproduce easily. The sea farmers of Normandy get their spats in the south of France. Oysters then grow for 18 months in the open sea, on the part of the foreshore which is discovered by the sea during the very high tides.

18 to 36 months

Travail huîtres

Once removed from their collectors, small oysters are placed in mesh pockets to allow seawater to flow. The pockets are attached on tables.

 

More than one billion litres of water charged with plankton through the gills of the oysters. The pockets are regularly turned (about 20 times) to prevent the oysters to stick and to give them a good shape.

2 months before shipping

Huîtres St Vaast La Hougue

Oysters are brought to foreshore where the sea uncovers at every low tide in order to “fool” them, that is to say that they are alternately subject to immersion at high tide and sun and wind at low tide.

Thus, they are forced to open and close frequently which strengthens their muscle that connects the two shells and make them stronger. The shell hardens and the flesh takes on its aroma. Then oysters are ready for shipping out of water.

A long process

During the production, the oysters need steady cares.

Pockets have to be cleaned to allow a smooth flow of water. They also have to be split so that the oysters are not too packed when growing.

Each pocket is moved, turned and split every 3 to 4 months at the beginning of the growth and then 3 to 4 more times before shipping.