Pinctada maxima

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Pinctada maxima
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Pteriida
Family:	Pteriidae
Genus:	Pinctada
Species:	P. maxima
Binomial name
Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901)

Pinctada maxima is a

Pinctada maxima produces South Sea pearls in colors ranging from white, silver, champagne, gold. Pinctada margaritifera produces South Sea pearls commonly referred to as Tahitian pearls or black pearls which in fact come in color hues including gray, platinum, charcoal, aubergine, and peacock. Currently south sea pearls are cultured primarily in Australia, Indonesia, Tahiti and now, the Philippines. Because these pearl oysters are so large, a much larger nucleus than usual can be used in culturing. Sea pearls farmed in the Philippines, typically produce golden pearls from the gold-lipped pearl oyster, which are currently experiencing a surge in popularity, resulting in increased market-demand, particularly in China.

Commercial pearl farming in Australia is mostly centered around the coastal waters of Broome, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Best known and valued for their white/silver with pink hues from the silver-lipped pearl oyster, Australian South Sea Pearls can grow beyond 18mm – 20mm in diameter, with a typical size of 10mm – 13mm when harvested following a two-year gestation.^{[citation needed]}

The Tahitian or black pearl comes from the black-lipped pearl oyster, produced from the waters surrounding Tahiti and the French Polynesian archipelago.

Culinary use

Pearl meat is the adductor muscle of the Pinctada maxima pearl oyster. Wild caught Australian pearl meat is MSC certified, recognising this delicacy as a sustainable seafood which can be traced to an environmentally sustainable source. In recent years, Australian pearl meat has been adopted by some of the world's leading western chefs as an exclusive, rare ingredient, with a mere six tons sourced annually. A translucent, scallop-sized medallion, pearl meat is sweet and firm. Described as a cross between calamari and lobster in taste, the flavor profile varies significantly depending on preparation. Prized as a delicacy in Asia for centuries and highly regarded for its medicinal properties, pearl meat is an excellent source of