Farmer:  Lincoln Smith

Location: Long Reach Cove, Harpswell, ME

Size: 3"

Farming Technique:  Grown primarily in floating cages, these oysters are carefully handled through the 1-2 years it takes them to mature from planted seed to market size. As they grow, they are moved into larger mesh size bags and regularly sorted and managed to best develop a cupped shape. In the winter, the cages are sunk to the bottom to avoid the ice and survive the winter in Long Reach Cove.

Maine winters can be tough, but cold Maine waters make excellent oysters. Currently, they are the only variety of oyster actively cultivated in Long Reach Cove, a long narrow cove bordered by conservation land and adjacent to salt marsh with a "silty" mud bottom habitat.

Unique Factor: Battling barnacles and green algae, Lincoln Smith leverages his background in environmental science/biology and knowledge from growing up in Harpswell to bring these oysters to you. This is the third harvesting season for the Long Reach Farm and Lincoln is already thinking about how they can maximize the relatively short harvesting season (April-December) by trying new growing approaches and leveraging the natural environment. So far so good, as these oysters have gained a quick regional following, especially in The Shop in Portland, where ICO shuckers shuck them as fast as people can eat them.

Flavor Notes: An upfront briny burst, followed by a crisp umami /meaty flavor and a sweet finish