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 flavour. Step 4 # You want the meat and all the liquor that comes with it so do your best to swallow it all.
Chew, chew, chew
"An oyster is meant to be savored. Rather than swallowing whole, I recommend biting into the oyster so the full flavor profile can be experienced. Also, when consuming an oyster in the shell, remember the 'oyster liquor' is there to be enjoyed.
The illnesses of most concern from eating raw or undercooked oysters or clams are Vibrio infection, norovirus infection, and hepatitis A. See fact sheets for those diseases for more details. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pains, severe weakness.
Slurp It. Oysters are primarily a finger food and should be eaten raw, fresh and right from the shell. No silverware, no plates, you just need to put your lips right up to the shell and slurp away. This tiny fork that may frequently accompany oysters is used just to loosen the oyster from the shell.
Always chew your oyster
“If you've not had an oyster before,” says Browne, “and certainly if you're a little bit challenged by their appearance and their texture, that is the easiest way to trigger your gag reflex, so we always recommend chewing the oysters.”
Think of an oyster like a grape: if you don't chew the grape, you won't get the full flavor.
For beginners, it is typically best to slurp down your oyster, and while that may sound a little unappealing, it is a great way to enjoy the oyster, especially if you aren't ready for the texture.
What makes oysters so special to many people is how distinctively they taste and smell like the ocean. When they're eaten raw, it's almost like taking a straight shot of the sea. Now if you dislike the ocean and are not a fan of seafood, then oysters will most likely never be the delicacy for you.
Look for the telltale milky sac that indicates an oyster is spawning. If it's just getting going, the sac is little more than a thin, cream-colored line less than half an inch long. If the oyster is in high gear, the sac will be large and cloudy, overtaking much of the oyster's body mass.
Warning. Oysters carry an elevated risk of foodborne illness, and babies are more at risk for severe symptoms. Never serve raw or undercooked oysters to babies. Oysters may also contain cadmium, a heavy metal that can affect children's neurological development.
How many raw oysters can you eat in a day? You should only consume 3-6 raw oysters in a day. Oysters are nutrient-dense and low in calories; however, they are also high in cholesterol, which can concern some people. Overeating raw oysters has a high risk of food poisoning from Vibrio bacteria.
Eat with caution
Oysters are a very concentrated source of protein and some people find them hard to digest for this reason. As oysters are often eaten on festive occasions, they may be consumed with more alcohol than usual, which can also contribute to adverse side effects.
They should taste briny, of seawater, but not overwhelmingly so. They'll feel velvety smooth in your mouth, and while good oysters tend to be soft in nature they aren't mushy and there's a bit of a bite to them. "You'll taste all the complexity of the ocean," Proto says.
Follow these tips to reduce your chances of getting an infection when eating or touching shellfish and other seafood: Don't eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Fully cook them before eating, and only order fully cooked oysters at restaurants.
"It's important to shuck your oysters as close to serving time as possible," says Saffitz. Keeping them in the shell until you use them will help keep them fresh and free from debris. If you have to ask your fish monger to shuck them for you, use them as soon as you get home.
Oysters are a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins while being low in carbohydrates. Oysters help regulate blood pressure and improve blood circulation, which gives an overall good feeling. Oysters are often regarded as an aphrodisiac (stimulates sex drive).
Along with being a protein source, oysters are rich in zinc, a deficiency of which can cause impotence. Zinc is a necessary building block for testosterone, so it supports a healthy libido and sperm production.
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.
The shell is joined at one end by a hinge, and can be closed by the oyster's powerful adductor muscle (the dark spots on the inside of an empty shell are the points to which the ends of this muscle adhered).
"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.
Oysters: Appetizer Engagements: 3-4 oysters per person. As a second or third course (where other items are being served with the oysters): 5-6 oysters per person. For a main course (including an Oyster Roast or a Bull & Oyster Roast), figure 6-8 oysters per person. Clams: Many people serve clams along with oysters.
At some point before shucking, you will need to give the oysters a scrub-down to remove any dirt, mud, sand, shell fragments, or other crud that you don't want to end up slurping down. I like to get that cleaning step out of the way as soon as I get the oysters home.