Looking to add the flavors of the sea to your dishes without ever breaking out the shucking knife? The oyster leaf is ideal. Also known as the vegetarian oyster, we’ve been working on growing this amazing plant for years—providing our treasured chefs with the perfection they’ve come to expect from The Chef’s Garden. Here are even more reasons why Farmer Lee Jones absolutely loves this plant.

Sensory Experience of the Oyster Leaf

First, picture the medium green oblong leaves on light green stems that hold up well on the plate. Then, envision a velvety sensation beneath your fingertips, one that can be gently rubbed off. The beautiful scent of the sea wafts off of the leaves, setting the stage for the dining experience that comes with a succulent mouthfeel. Then there’s the actual flavor: an oceanic one with notes of oyster and seaweed with a mushroom-like earthiness. It comes with a clean flavor, too, that’s reminiscent of the beach. Seriously! You’ve got to try it to believe it.

As if those aren’t enough magical sensory details for this incredible edible leaf, then there are the flowers that give this herb-like plant another name: that of sea bluebells. So, whether you call this an oyster leaf, oyster plant, vegetarian oyster, sea bluebell—or any of its other names, such as the northern sea sandwort—this plant truly adds a unique touch to creative dishes. 

These can include fish and shellfish dishes along with other types that need a deliciously natural touch of saltiness. Oyster leaves do well in salads and pasta dishes and are even an excellent finishing touch in drinks.

Delving Behind the Science

The National Library of Science published a research paper titled “Volatile Composition of Oyster Leaf” that verifies how the plant has a “surprising oyster-like aroma.” It then goes further by exploring the 109 compounds within the leaf by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with four of them being responsible for its resemblance to oyster. If you’d like, you could investigate this paper—or perhaps it’s enough to know that, yes, there’s real science behind this.

Options for Your Own Dishes and Menus

At The Chef’s Garden, you can ask your product specialist for the incredible oyster leaf or oyster leaf with bloom. Or both. No matter what you choose, we look forward to serving you!