Humans enjoyed oysters 164,000 years ago A researcher from Arizona State University discovered shellfish and barnacles, along with primitive tools and other artifacts dating back around 164,000 years, in a seaside cave in South Africa, making this the earliest evidence of humans eating oysters.
Archeologists have found evidence of humans eating oysters as far back as 164,000 years ago. They assume that early humans adapted to eating oysters by watching other animals eat them. However, unlike other animals, Humans ate oysters by roasting them over open fire, letting their shells pop open in the heat.
Cave May Hold an Answer The first people to eat shellfish may have been found. Scientists digging in a cave in South Africa uncover evidence of shellfish dinners that date back 164,000 years. Anthropologists say it's evidence of some of the earliest known modern behavior.
Over a decade ago, archaeologists exploring a cave in South Africa uncovered evidence of shellfish dinners enjoyed by humans from 164,000 years ago. This demonstrates how early of a role oysters played in early society and survival.
Oysters were essential to early man as a source of food, and the shells might have been the first knives and spoons. There is even evidence to suggest that Neolithic chefs cooked oysters and spiced their food.
They source oyster expert Julie Qiu, who explains "oysters probably die when the meat is separated from the shell, because the oyster's heart is right next to the bottom adductor muscle. That would mean that they aren't technically still alive when you throw them down the hatch."
"When you slurp back oysters raw, they are still alive or just freshly killed or shucked prior to serving, which is why you oftentimes see them on ice," says Alex Lewis, RD, LDN, a dietitian for Baze. This ensures they are fresh when eating, so they maintain the right flavor profile, texture and nutrient density.
It's an urban legend that you are supposed to let it slide down your throat without biting into it. Think of an oyster like a grape: if you don't chew the grape, you won't get the full flavor.
Oysters are believed to have originated in ancient Rome, where they were considered a luxury food item. They were prized for their unique flavor and texture, and were often served at banquets and feasts. Over time, oysters became more widely available, and they were eventually consumed by people all over Europe.
The southern mud oyster, Australian flat oyster, native flat oyster, native mud oyster, or angasi oyster (Ostrea angasi), is endemic to southern Australia, ranging from Western Australia to southeast New South Wales and around Tasmania.
Sydney rock oysters are farmed in NSW, southern Queensland and at Albany, WA. Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas are produced in Tasmania, South Australia and Port Stephens, NSW. Flat oysters are currently only farmed in NSW and there is also some small-scale production of tropical oysters in northern Queensland.
To this day the French still can't get enough for them and they are the food of choice at times of celebration like Christmas and New Year. Around half of all oysters eaten in France will be eaten between these two festive dates.
Game meat such as venison, wild boar, rabbit and pheasant along with seafood like raw oysters, shellfish and lobster were just some of the pricey foods that made regular appearances at the Roman banquet.
Scientists (zoologists) believe that the first oyster appeared in the Triassic period (over 200 million years ago), when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Fossil records show that the oyster dates to 145 million years ago. This means that oysters have been around since the start of humanity...
The History of Oysters
Oysters are native to France and have been consumed there since the Roman Era. Throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, oysters were harvested for food, but it wasn't until the 17th century that oyster cultivation began at seaside farms in France.
So to once again answer the question, yes, oysters are alive when eaten immediately after being shucked. And the truth is, we wouldn't have it any other way! The amazing flavors of raw oysters and the overall experience of eating raw oysters is something that you must try.
Oysters have a small heart and internal organs, but no central nervous system. Lack of a central nervous system makes it unlikely oysters feel pain, one reason some people who otherwise are vegetarians comfortable eating oysters. Some oysters have two sexes, but all have both eggs and sperm.
The way to kill harmful bacteria in oysters is to cook them properly. Hot sauce and lemon juice don't kill Vibrio bacteria. Drinking alcohol while eating oysters doesn't kill Vibrio bacteria either. Cooking oysters properly kills harmful bacteria.
Shelf Life
How long do your shucked oysters last? Shucked oysters will have a good-through date. If they go past this date, you'll want to discard them. Shucked oysters typically have a 10-14 day refrigerated shelf life upon receipt.
Rule of thumb is at least 4,000 years old. Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters in months with the letter “r” – from September to April – to avoid watery shellfish, or worse, a nasty bout of food poisoning.
In the days before reliable refrigeration, we were wise to consider the risks of transporting raw seafood during the hottest months of the year. Bacteria and red tide algae levels in the water rise in summer as well. Eating shellfish that absorbed these toxins could be poisonous to humans.
Yes! Oysters are a superfood that are packed with nutrients and minerals. This is based on their nutrition-to-calorie ratio, which is higher than most other seafood and even some fruits and vegetables. An average serving of oysters contains just under 30 calories but packs in a whopping 8 grams of protein.
Although the effect oysters have on our libido has never been scientifically proven, the rich amount of zinc influences our level of dopamine. Dopamine is a “happy hormone”; it brings about a feeling of well-being.
Eating oysters may help reduce body weight, manage blood sugar levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, improve sexual drive, and treat erectile dysfunction. However, consuming them in raw or uncooked form may cause side effects in some people.