Local products and regional flavors
Schouwen-Duiveland is home to many local artisans and producers offering a great variety of fresh food. Given that it’s never far to the beach, fresh seafood and sea vegetables are available almost everywhere. Did you know that we have our own wine? And that you can buy North Sea salt, which is extracted from the Oosterschelde?
Local products
Ever tried Dutch sea salt?
One day, owner Christian Clerx decided to fill a canister with water from the Oosterschelde and filter the salt. Tha Zeeuwsche Zoute was born. Meanwhile, Zeeuwsche Zoute salt is available in various flavors, including seaweed and black garlic.
Discover the salt
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Around Schouwen-Duiveland, there are several kinds of mussels in the Oosterschelde and the Grevelingenmeer: Soil culture mussels are grown in areas with the right soil conditions, and in relatively shallow water. Hang-culture mussels are grown in vertical nets. If we get lucky, the first mussels can be harvested at the end of May. This is when the summer on Schouwen-Duiveland starts.
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Zeeland oysters are a delicacy. Two oyster varieties are commonly grown around here: "Zeeuwse Platte" and "Zeeuwse Bolle". Both are cultivated on special oyster floats in Lake Grevelingen and the Oosterschelde. The oyster season lasts from September to April. Did you know that you can pick oysters yourself? Up to 10 kilos are allowed for personal use.
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More about Oosterschelde lobsters
Oosterschelde National Park is known for its exceptional clean water. Together with the mild winters, the living conditions here are ideal for another delicacy: our lobster. They say that Oosterschelde lobsters taste softer and sweeter than other lobster species. Do you agree? Try it yourself. The lobster season runs from the last Thursday in March until July 15.
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Have you ever tried veggies from the sea? Sea lavender, samphire, and different seaweeds grow in the waters around Schouwen-Duiveland. Our chefs on the island love to cook with these ingredients straight from the sea. To protect the fragile ecosystems, you’re only allowed to harvest sea vegetables with a special permit. Still curious? Try a sea veggie dish in the restaurant or buy it at one of the local stores.
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A bit of a sweet tooth? No worries, we got you covered. Order a bolus with your coffee. This sugar-covered dough roll is delicious on its own or with butter. Small bite? Boterbabbelaars are similar to butterscotch. They melt in your mouth and taste like fresh butter. Not exactly typical for Zeeland, but still delicious, are the sweet cherries "Zoete Kersen", which you can get in Noordwelle in summer. When you're there, you must try the cherry pie. It tastes like heaven.
A tale of grapes and wine
"We had never seen a grapevine up close before," Johan van de Velde chuckles. When his parents had the idea of growing grapes, it didn’t really surprise him. His parents, farmers, had always been pioneers. For over two decades now, the van de Velde family has grown traditional grape varieties at their vineyard, Wijnhoeve de Kleine Schorre.
Get a glass of island wine