I always look at these Ekone Habanero Hots Smoked Oysters at Whole Foods and wonder how good they might be. But the $13 price tag for a 3 oz. can makes me pass them up. Last trip, I noticed they were tagged "last chance" and the price marked down to just over $8. Seemed like now or never.
Initial OOBE
Even before opening the can, I noticed it was a bit sticky on the outside. And I observed what appeared to be some organic material peeking out from under the top rim on the outside. The best by date on the bottom was unclear, and I thought it might say July 2024 (It is currently December 2025). My expectation, however, is that Whole Foods' inventory, even that of unpopular items, turns over fast enough to keep product from expiring on the shelf.
There was no staining of the inside of the carton, so whatever happened occurred long before packaging. The can was not swollen or dented, and the sound of vacuum breaking when the ring was lifted was reassuring. I wrote the stickiness and the other off to small cannery operational oversight, and pressed ahead.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.
Better quality smoked tinned seafood is usually packed with less liquid than the average mass market stuff. There was a bit more headroom here than I was expecting, the steep regular price considered. Some nice looking oysters, though. Much larger than the pedestrian supermarket variety. Far fewer, too. Ultimately, I counted three whole, large oysters and two either partial or smaller ones.
The aroma is smoky and sweet. A sip of the liquid is similar, but has a steady, low level of heat from the habanero. The sauce ingredients, mostly organic, include sunflower oil, tomatoes, habanero peppers, garlic, hot sauce, cane sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, citric acid (flavor enhancer) and natural smoke.
Extracting oysters from the can, I attempted to get as much as the sauce as I could on each. I found it quite flavorful and complex. If they could bottle it as a barbecue sauce, it might sell.
Main Takeaways
- Large, meaty oysters, albeit few in number
- Complex, flavorful sauce with smoky, moderate heat
- QC needs to pay closer attention
Update: I went back to Whole Foods for something else, but took the opportunity to inspect the remaining few cans on the shelf. Most of the "best by" dates on the lids were distorted by the ridges in them, but it appears to be 2029, not 2024. Those cans were a bit sticky as well.
Brand: Ekone Oyster Co.
Description: Smoked Oysters with habanero hot sauce
Species: Pacific oysters
Country of Origin: USA
Source: Farm raised
Skin/Bones: N/A
Net Wt: 3.0 oz.
Price Range: $12-13