Straight from Brittany: The most elegant oyster of the summer

The Oyster Wheel turns again – and this time it takes us to the heart of southern Brittany, where this summer’s oyster from Maison Cadoret is ready to grace the plates: Perle Noire.

An oyster with terroir and history

Perle Noire is cultivated in Riec-sur-Bélon – a place so beautiful and iconic that you almost expect to bump into Asterix and Obelix among the tidal channels. Here, where fresh water from the Bèlon river meets the salty Atlantic, a unique merroir – the ocean’s version of terroir – emerges, giving Perle Noire its distinctive flavour with notes of hazelnut, cucumber, and umami.

Maison Cadoret has been cultivating oysters for five generations and oversees the entire process: from genetic origin to handling and maturation. The oysters spend their early years in the nutrient-rich waters of northern Brittany, where they build strength and fleshiness, before being moved to the Bèlon river to develop their refined, mineral-rich aftertaste.

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Body, character, and careful cultivation

Perle Noire is grown on the riverbed and remains submerged at all times – a crucial factor for both taste and texture. They grow alongside the famous flat Bélon oysters, though in separate beds, as they require different care. The result is an oyster with a full-bodied texture, delicate crispness, and a long, elegant finish.

Sustainability in practice

Maison Cadoret is deeply committed to protecting the fragile coastal ecosystem. They use electric boats, promote regenerative aquaculture, and actively oppose pollution from industrial farming – a necessity in agriculture-heavy Brittany. Their efforts are a clear example of how oyster production can benefit both nature and quality.

On the Oyster Wheel in July and August

Perle Noire is this summer’s featured oyster on the Oyster Wheel – and for good reason. It’s intense, refined, and a little piece of Brittany in its purest form. Taste it while it’s here – from next week and through to the end of August.

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On the Oyster Wheel in July and August

Perle Noire is this summer’s featured oyster on the Oyster Wheel – and for good reason. It’s intense, refined, and a little piece of Brittany in its purest form. Taste it while it’s here – from next week and through to the end of August.

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