Oysters are a gourmet delicacy, appreciated for their delicate and aristocratic taste, record content of valuable vitamins and minerals. Oysters’ delicate meat is incredibly healthy for everyone and is good for weight loss. Like other seafood, oysters are extremely healthy and delicious. Let’s consider the pros and cons of eating oysters.

Are oysters good for you? Oysters are good for you. Oysters have a high nutritional value. Oyster meat contains fat, protein, glycogen carbohydrate, nicotinic acid and B vitamins. Oysters contain copper, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus and iodine. Oyster meat is saturated with a complex of fatty acids, including Omega-3.

Oyster’s Nutritional Value Per 100 g
Calorie content	72 kcal
Proteins	9 g
Fat	2 g
Carbohydrates	4,5 g
Dietary fiber	0 g
Water	83 g

Pros and Cons of Eating Oysters

What are the health benefits of oysters? The benefits of oysters are manifested in their high nutritional qualities. They are rich in vitamins A, D, C, include almost all the B vitamins, and also contain minerals necessary for the human body: phosphorus, cobalt, iodine, manganese and many others.

The pros of eating oysters include:

• Oysters improve skin, hair and nails condition. 

Zinc is the most important trace element that allows you to maintain a healthy appearance of skin, hair and nails, is found in oysters in a fairly high concentration. By the way, it is this substance that is so necessary for men to improve the body’s reproductive function.

• Oysters strengthen the nervous system.

Oysters are a real storehouse of healthy vitamins and minerals. They contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A, B, C, E. Eating oysters increases sexual energy and improves the body’s hematopoietic function and strengthens the nervous system. Hematologists have noted the benefits of oysters in the treatment of anemia.

• Oysters enrich your body with vitamin D.

The presence of vitamin D in oysters has a very beneficial effect on the body, the deficit of which every second person on the planet feels today. Its deficiency provokes the appearance of rickets and an increased risk of contracting cancer. Also, thanks to these vitamins, we can absorb calcium.

• Oysters reduce fatigue.

Thiamine in oysters gives us vitality and efficiency, reduces fatigue. Compared with other products, iodine concentration in oysters has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland’s function. The skeletal system and joints’ formation, the absorption of protein and mental abilities depend on this substance.

• Oysters are good for weight loss.

What is the benefit of eating oysters? Oysters are low in calories, contain only 70 kcal per 100 grams, so they can be consumed by those who want to lose weight. Now oysters are actively eaten after heat treatment. Oysters can be baked, boiled, fried, but under the influence of high temperature, the benefits of oysters are reduced.

100 g of oysters contain 12% of the daily value of protein, 3% of fat, and 1% of carbohydrates.

• Oysters prevent aging. 

Oyster meat contains the amino acid arginine, which takes part in metabolic processes in cells. Oysters regenerate tissues, improve skin elasticity, and accelerate metabolism. As a result of the amino acid’s influence on the face and neck, the skin color improves, small wrinkles disappear.

Daily oyster consumption improves a woman’s hormones, which affects women’s health and overall well-being. Oysters are used in the cosmetic industry, too. Oyster products are good for rejuvenation.

• Oysters fight cancer.

Oysters contain fatty acids, which is an important component that fights cancer cells. As a result of American scientists’ research, ceramides were found in oysters, which are fats that can fight breast cancer. Ceramides block and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Several studies have found that seafood contains unique amino acids that help to more actively reproduce sex hormones in the body.

Are oysters good or bad for you? Oysters are extremely good for your health. Oysters are used to lower blood pressure, restore visual acuity, and improve hair, skin and nails. Women are especially fond of oysters because of arginine in them, a substance that removes fine wrinkles and makes hair thicker and fuller. 

What is special about oysters? Oyster meat is an organic compound of important substances, which contain proteins, carbohydrates (in small percentages), fats. There are also Omega fatty acids, which are indispensable for the brain’s full functioning and cells’ proper functioning. Acids are essential for the skin, nervous system, and hair.

Oyster Vitamins Content
Vitamin A	20.0 μg
Vitamin E	1,3 mg
Vitamin K	1.5 μg
Vitamin B1	0.0 mg
Vitamin B2	0.1 mg
Vitamin B3	1.4 mg
Vitamin B4	101.0 mg
Vitamin B5	0.3 mg
Vitamin B6	0.3 mg
Vitamin B9	10.0 μg
Vitamin B12	12.9 μg

Oyster Minerals Content
Calcium	92.0 mg
Iron	7.2 mg
Magnesium	28.0 mg
Phosphorus	150.0 mg
Potassium	242.0 mg
Sodium	132.0 mg
Zinc	61.0 mg
Copper	4.4 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg
Selenium	30.7 μg
Fluorine	63.0 μg

Oysters are excellent prevention of atherosclerosis, and they also kill harmful cholesterol. Oyster meat contains many vitamins, mineral salts: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iodine, fluorine, magnesium, nickel.

Due to the high zinc content in the body, testosterone is synthesized, responsible for sexual desire. Oysters contain antioxidants that have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Vitamins, together with iron, make it possible to improve the processes of hematopoiesis. Therefore, shellfish are extremely useful for people with anemia.

The protein component is several important amino acids that are so essential for human health. Oyster meat contains only 72 calories, which is especially important for people on a diet.

Oysters can relieve irritation and have a calming effect on the nervous system. It will be useful for women to know that seafood is a good remedy for cellulite. Due to the presence of sterols in them, there is a benefit of oysters for people with heart and blood vessels’ diseases since the substance prevents cholesterol deposits.

Recently, there has been an assumption about the benefits of oysters for preventing and treating cancer. The fact is that the product contains fatty acids, including the sensational Omega-3. According to many scientists, it is this substance that can stop the multiplication of cancer cells. In addition to all of the above, oysters have a general strengthening effect on the body.

Due to the shine, the oyster meat seems fatty, but in fact, it is not: the meat shines due to a large amount of glucose in its composition. Oysters are a low-calorie dietary product because, for every 100 g of the product, there are no more than 60 calories. So you can use them without worrying about your figure at all.

Cons Of Eating Oysters

Oysters are prohibited in cases of individual intolerance, allergy, gout, gastrointestinal tract diseases, pregnancy and breastfeeding. When eating raw oysters, there is a risk of getting food poisoning. Carefully examine the oyster for the presence of shell fragments, as they can damage the digestive tract.

If the water in which the mollusks lived was overheated, then there is a risk of contracting bacteria as a result of eating them. This is fraught with both simple indigestion and severe poisoning.

However, checking oysters’ quality is very simple. When opening a shell with a high-quality live mollusk, you should hear a characteristic click. The oyster itself should smell nice and fresh of the sea, not dead fish, and its meat should be transparent, not cloudy and whitish.

If you splash lemon juice on a live mollusk, you can see its response in the form of a slight twitching in the shell. At home, oysters can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 6 hours. It is also not recommended to freeze them since they will inevitably lose some of their useful properties.

Oyster is pure protein, and a lot of pure protein is not good for every organism. Besides, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), 27% of the world’s population are allergic to marine raw protein. And if you belong to this category, you must not eat oysters at all.

Why Are Oysters Good for Women?

Women are in a perpetual battle with aging. They dream of staying beautiful, so they spend a lot of money on anti-aging procedures. But connoisseurs of seafood delicacies recommend directing their gaze towards oysters, which are actually created by nature to preserve female beauty.

What are the benefits of oysters for women? The amino acid content is arginine, which is an irreplaceable participant in metabolic processes in cells. With regular intake, the amino acid promotes hair growth while improving hair quality.

Arginine in oysters promotes:

• Fast tissue regeneration;
• Increasing the elasticity of the skin;
• Normalization of metabolic processes.

The effects of arginine exposure are especially noticeable on the face and neck. That is why:

• The skin color improves;
• Small wrinkles disappear;
• Hormone level normalizes.

Oysters are widely used in cosmetology. On their basis, large companies produce lines of cosmetics with a rejuvenating effect. They give good results, and currently, they are in great demand.

Why Are Oysters Good For Men?

Oysters have always been used as an aphrodisiac stimulating the production of hormones responsible for libido. With the regular intake of oysters, the sexual attraction to the partner increases. Naturally, such activity has a positive effect on relationships.

What are other benefits of oysters for men? Oysters improve the quality of semen. During one full sexual intercourse, men lose a large amount of zinc. Eating oysters helps to replenish it. Scientists believe that oysters also prevent hair loss, which men often suffer from even at a young age.

Oysters are a wonderful product that can turn an ordinary family dinner into something delicious and energize everyone in the meal.

Oysters belong to the family of bivalve molluscs and are among the most popular species of commercial marine invertebrates. Even though they are very similar to mussels, they are much more expensive. To not lose money and not get poisoned with seafood, you need to know how to store oysters at home. What is the best way to store fresh oysters? Let’s find out.

What is the best way to store fresh oysters? The best option to store fresh oysters is on ice. Freeze ice packs for cocktails in advance and place them in a separate bowl. Put the oysters on top and store them on the fridge’s top shelf at a temperature of  +2°C. Change the ice when needed, and oysters will last for 5-7 days.

Ultimate Guide on How to Store Fresh Oysters — How Do You Store Oysters At Home?

Ideally, you need to buy oysters just before serving. But if you plan to eat oysters later, you can put fresh oysters in the fridge. If there are grains of sand and algae left on the shells, they can be brushed with an old toothbrush, but real gourmets say that it is better to serve them unwashed as this way, the naturalness of the delicacy is preserved.

How do you store oysters in the fridge? How do you store unshucked oysters? Freeze ice packs for cocktails in advance and place them in a separate bowl. Put the oysters on top on the top shelf of the refrigerator. The ice will not melt quickly if you set the temperature in the chamber to + 2°C. If you periodically change the ice, then the shelf life of oysters will increase to 5-7 days.

You can also place your oysters on top of something frozen from the freezer, such as a piece of meat. In the refrigerator, at a temperature not higher than + 5 ° C, the meat will defrost for a long time, and thus, you can store the oysters fresh and very cold for up to 2 days, after which you can make ice and continue storage in one of the above ways.

The methods can be combined — on ice, in a towel or on frozen food, oysters will be stored even better since it is important to keep them as cold as possible.

How long can you keep oysters in the fridge? Oysters can be kept in the fridge for 5-7 days. Oysters remain safe to eat for up to a month if stored in a saltwater aquarium at +2 to +5 degrees. If the oyster is open and won’t close, throw it away right away.

Live oysters sprinkled on ice can be refrigerated for an average of 7 days. You need to use wet towels as well to preserve the juiciness of oysters. The shelf life of oysters in shells and without them does not differ. On average, it is 5-7 days, provided the shellfish are placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator. The optimum storage temperature for oysters is from +1 to +4 degrees.

Freezing Oysters

Can fresh oysters be frozen? Fresh oysters can be frozen. Freezing oysters is simple — put them on a plate and wrap them tightly on top with cling film and a bag. Store in a freezer no longer than 30 days at a temperature of -18°C … -21°C. They should be gradually defrosted in the refrigerator.

• Oysters can be frozen, but it is recommended to remove the clams from the shells;
• Defrosting oysters should not be at room temperature, but in the refrigerator (thawing should take place naturally, do not use water);
• Before freezing, the oyster must be put in water;
• Do not freeze shellfish in bags or cling film, but in containers that can be closed with a lid.

However, after defrosting, an oyster loses its taste. Therefore, frozen oysters are not eaten raw. The shelf life of frozen oysters is 3-4 months. Refreezing is not allowed. Thawed oysters must be eaten right away. If they are frozen again, their meat’s consistency will change, the taste will be disturbed, and their use in food can become dangerous to health.

If you want to prepare closed oysters for future use, you will need a special ice container. Ice is put at the bottom, after which oysters are laid out and frozen. The shelf life of oysters frozen in shells is no more than 3 months at a temperature of -18 ° C ..- 21 ° C. Before serving, the oysters should be kept in the refrigerator until completely defrosted, for at least 3 hours, and then served.

All of the above methods for keeping oysters fresh are good and reliable. Periodically check for open shells among the oysters. No matter how correct the term and storage conditions are, it is difficult not to avoid the fact that individual mollusks may die.

Before opening the oysters, you need to make sure they are edible. Live oysters inside the shells react to any external stimulus: tapping or lemon juice. This serves as a signal that the oyster is alive and can be safely eaten. In the second, the flaps open after a few minutes, after which you can taste the product. If the shell valves are open, then most likely, the mollusk is dead.

Fresh oysters have a sweet-salty flavor and a sea-like aroma, while the fishy or offensive smell of rotten meat emanating from the shell is a sign of a toxic product. The oyster should be weighty since there is seawater inside the valves after catching. The lightness of the delicacy indicates the absence of liquid and staleness of the shellfish.

Do not store live oysters in a package — they must have constant access to fresh air. Otherwise, all the shellfish will quickly deteriorate, and the shells will open.

Therefore, you should carefully sort out all the shells and throw away open ones. It is strictly forbidden to eat dead shellfish to avoid severe poisoning. Oysters’ storage conditions cannot be changed since they remain alive for a long time only at low temperatures. Therefore, oysters should be stored in only one chosen way, either in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

It is best to store oysters in the refrigerator on the top shelf. Although these mollusks live in warm waters, they should be kept fresh only at temperatures no higher than + 3 ° C and no longer than 7 days.

How to Store Cooked Oysters

Ready-made mollusks in a marinade can be stored in a refrigerator, in a glass container, for up to 7 days at a temperature not exceeding + 7°C. To do this, they need to be boiled and put in a clean, dry jar filled with olive oil and tightly closed with a lid. This is the best way to store cooked seafood.

Ready-made salads with oysters do not have a long shelf life, and the period for how long they can be stored is up to 6 hours from the moment of preparation, at a temperature not higher than + 7 ° C.

How to Store Opened Oysters

Fold oysters into a container and put it on ice or wrap it in a towel dipped in ice water. The shelf life of oysters without a shell is short and is up to 3 days. Carefully check the appearance of the shellfish. If they turn white, then it’s time to throw them away. However, gourmets claim that the taste deteriorates after 6 hours, so it is better to freeze open oysters.

English writer Charles Dickens wrote in the 19th century: “Poverty and oysters always go hand in hand.” But in the 20th century, the situation changed dramatically. Let’s find out why oysters became so expensive and what is the average price of oysters now.

Why are oysters so expensive? Oysters are so expensive because the demand far exceeds the supply, and the population of oysters has decreased dramatically in the last 100 years. Oysters need to be grown for two years before catching and need to be kept alive while transporting and storing. 

What is the average price of oysters? The average price of oysters is $25-$35 for a dozen ($2-$3 per oyster) if you buy oysters at a grocery shop, not in a restaurant. However, you can buy wholesale oysters from 40 cents to over 80 cents (shipping is not included).

But what about the taste? Are oysters tasty? Do oysters taste fishy? What does an oyster taste like? Oysters have two main flavors: milky and sweet. Oysters might taste salty and smell like fresh fish and sea. Some people say oysters have a buttery taste, while others compare oysters to a shapeless and tasteless jelly. Oysters do not have pronounced flavors, and that is why they are always sprinkled with lemon.

How Did Oysters Become a Delicacy?

When did oysters become a delicacy? Oysters became a delicacy in the 20th century when the oyster population decreased due to uncontrolled fishing. Even though the French authorities imposed restrictions on fishermen, who were banned from fishing for oysters from April to October, it did not help, and oysters became a rare and expensive delicacy.

France is considered the birthplace of the oyster industry. But if not for the native of Florence Catherine de Medici, the French might not have become the main lovers of oysters. It was the 14-year-old princess who taught the local courtiers to eat oysters. However, popularity played a cruel joke on them, and oysters became rare and expensive.

People have been eating oysters for over 2,000 years. Firstly, oysters were tasted by the ancient Romans. They also learned to transport these molluscs in aquariums to keep them fresh. After that, oysters found their way into Italian cuisine, and from there into French.

According to the popular version, oysters appeared at the French court thanks to a native of Florence, Catherine de Medici. In 1533, she married the future French king Henry II and brought with her skilled Italian chefs and new recipes and products. Parsley, artichokes, lettuce, broccoli, turkey, tomato, oysters, and the main stars of Italian cuisine — pasta and parmesan appeared on French tables.

Oysters, as well as mussels and snails, have become firmly established in French cuisine. In the 18th century, oysters became famous as a natural aphrodisiac thanks to Giacomo Casanova’s memoirs. In his notes, the legendary lover admitted that he ate 50 oysters for breakfast.

Until the 19th century, oysters remained the most popular food available to all segments of the population. In wealthy houses, various dishes were prepared from oysters: oysters were baked in pies, stuffed with a bird, or simply eaten raw.

For the poor, oysters were substituted for meat. Similar was Britain’s case, with mountains of oyster shells lining the streets in poor London neighborhoods. Charles Dickens mentions how cheap oysters were in the novel “The Pickwick Papers.”

‘It’s a wery remarkable circumstance, Sir,’ said Sam, ‘that poverty and oysters always seem to go together.’

‘I don’t understand you, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick.

‘What I mean, sir,’ said Sam, ‘is, that the poorer a place is, the greater call there seems to be for oysters. Look here, sir; here’s a oyster-stall to every half-dozen houses. The street’s lined vith ‘em. Blessed if I don’t think that ven a man’s wery poor, he rushes out of his lodgings, and eats oysters in reg’lar desperation.’

The character did not lie. In Victorian England, a dozen oysters cost 4p, half the price of a loaf of bread.

In the 19th century, oysters started to run out. The year-round oyster fishing has led to the fact that they began to disappear. The French authorities imposed restrictions on fishermen. They banned fishing for oysters from April to October. But this did not change the situation. By the 20th century, oysters finally ceased to be cheap food and turned into a delicacy. In the 19th century, the French conducted the first successful experiments on breeding oysters and that now oysters are bred in many countries did not help either.

Now that it’s easy to deliver fresh oysters anywhere in the world, they have become one of the most popular delicacies. They are grown everywhere — in Korea, Japan, the USA, the EU and beyond. But the largest producer is China, accounting for 80% of the world’s shellfish production.

Nowadays, Pacific oysters cost no less than $16-$20 per dozen if you buy in a store, not in a restaurant. The only thing that has not changed is the main places of extraction (and later breeding) of oysters in Europe. They have remained unchanged since the Roman Empire’s time — the western coast of modern France and the waters off the British Isles.

What Is So Special About Oysters?

What is so special about oysters? Oysters contain very little fat, a lot of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, PP, A, D, minerals like iron, copper, calcium, iodine, phosphorus. Oysters’ chemical composition has a good effect on the nervous system. Thiamine in oysters helps to overcome fatigue and irritability and increase performance.

In its composition, oysters contain a large number of useful substances: vitamins, minerals and trace elements (for example, zinc, selenium, fatty acids, protein, iodine, calcium, as well as vitamins A, E, C, PP and other components). Thanks to such a rich composition, oysters have many positive effects on the human body. In particular, it improves the skin’s external condition, hair and nails, increases sexual desire, improves potency (aphrodisiac properties), etc.

Oysters are one of the ten most expensive delicacies in the world. They are grown in Japan, Italy and the USA, but the French are rightfully considered the best. In China, oysters began to be cultivated in the 4th century BC.

Oysters are a low-calorie healthy product. Oysters are a source of B vitamins, iodine, calcium, zinc and phosphorus. Oysters are an antioxidant that inhibits the aging process of the human body, protects it from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The taste of oysters is strikingly different depending on the region of cultivation — it can be sweetish, or it can be salty, resembling the tastes of familiar vegetables or fruits.

Wild oysters have the brightest flavor, with a slightly metallic flavor. These oysters are much more expensive than those grown artificially. Such oysters are eaten as simply as possible to enjoy the natural taste. Farmer oysters are more oily, and they are added to multicomponent dishes, canned.

Oyster Growing

Oysters are also grown in the USA. The oyster farming industry is gaining momentum in Maryland. They are bred under 300 licenses issued for an area of ​​1,456 hectares in the Chesapeake Bay, both in the water and at the bottom of the bay.

Growing oysters is very different, for example, from growing salmon. Oysters are not fed, they grow in an ecologically clean environment, and the farmer’s task is to create and maintain such an environment without interference. In a sense, this is an exceptionally environmentally friendly production and a real natural product of the area. It takes about two years for an oyster to grow before they get to your table.

But this does not mean that you put oyster spat, and two years later, you got shellfish ready for sale. Throughout this time, the spats are repeatedly removed from the water, subject to the bulkhead and already at the final stage, the shell is cleaned from extraneous growths.

Each batch of oysters goes through a system of analyzes and certification. This is one of the reasons why you should only buy oysters from trusted sellers: specialty restaurants, retail outlets and licensed companies. Hand-buying oysters is extremely risky. Wild oysters in their natural habitats also undergo the necessary checks and tests before they reach the counter. Basically, the principle here is similar to fishing: quotas from licensed companies and the product’s necessary certification.

The well-known statement of Charles Dickens that oysters go hand in hand with poverty will cause at least bewilderment among today’s gourmets. This shellfish is considered an exquisite delicacy and is served in elite restaurants accompanied by expensive wine. Oysters are one of the most famous delicacies that everyone loves and hates at the same time. This is a product that is overgrown with a lot of metaphors, myths and legends.

Not many people have tried this delicacy and know what goes best with oysters. Let’s find out what the best oyster food and wine pairings are.

What goes well with oysters for dinner? Oysters go well with lemon or wine vinegar with green onions and weightless crunchy toasts made from white and rye bread. Oyster crackers and horseradish go well with oysters, too. Oyster crackers are added to the sauce, and horseradish can be added both to the sauce and to the oyster meat itself.

But these are not the only options that go well with oysters. What to pair with oysters? Let’s dive into this.

What Goes Well With Oysters for Dinner? Oyster Food and Wine Pairing

What goes best with oysters? Rye croutons, black or white bread with butter go best with raw oysters. A variety of sauces based on wine vinegar or lemon juice go well with oysters, too. The minion sauce is the most common sauce for oysters. Recently, restaurateurs have begun to choose Asian hot soy sauces for oysters. 

What appetizers go with oysters? Oysters in restaurants are served raw on a dish with ice. Oysters go well with fresh lemon, balsamic or raspberry vinegar or tabasco sauce. A good addition to oysters can be a spoonful of red or black caviar or tender avocado puree.

It is impossible to imagine fresh oysters without lemon, which is traditionally served on the dish. Some countries serve pomegranate juice, lime slices, Tabasco sauce, slices of fresh bread and butter. Oysters are usually not salted. A classic drink with a dish is white or rosé wine. The French love the champagne delicacy. The Dutch prefer to swallow oysters with ease, with light beer. By the way, like healthy zinc, 100 g of oysters contain 165% of the daily value.

Usually, oysters are not served alone. Restaurants serve either 6 or 12 oysters on one plate, but this is just a tradition. Also, doctors do not recommend eating a lot of oysters as not every stomach can withstand such a powerful protein attack. It’s not bad if the oysters are opened in front of you at the restaurant, and if they brought them open, smell them. If they taste like the sea, then oysters are fresh.

A fresh oyster reacts to acid. After opening, sprinkle oysters with lemon juice. Observe how the oyster reacts to it—a live mollusk wrinkles slightly from the acid.

Oysters are served on a round dish, in the center of which there is vinegar or wine essence, lemon wedges, sour or spicy Tabasco sauce, and sometimes brown bread toasts. In different countries, oysters can be served in their own way, but regardless of geography, lemon is always served with them. It disinfects and balances the taste.

But the offered sauces may well correspond to the gastronomic mentality of a country or region: for example, in Florida, many restaurants serve oysters with ketchup and mustard, purely American style, or they can bring French fries.

What to Drink With Oysters

What should you drink with oysters? According to the recommendations of sommeliers, oysters are served with dry white wine or sparkling wine (champagne). Dry white wine emphasizes the taste of oysters. Wine should be without a pronounced sharp taste and a rich bouquet flavor, slightly chilled (10-15 °C). This wine can highlight the exquisite taste of oysters.

What should you not drink with oysters? Almost all alcohol goes well with oysters; however, it is not very common to drink vodka, sake or cognac with oysters. Oysters go best with high-quality brut champagne and young wine “Muscadet” or white “Antre-de-Mer”, Loire Sauvignon Blanc, or New Zealand Sauvignon.

It is appropriate to serve cold, young wine to oysters “Muscadet” or white “Entre-de-Mer” with oysters. For more exquisite accompaniment, opt for Loire Sauvignon Blanc or New Zealand Sauvignon. If oysters are served with butter, then here more serious wine is required, for example, a seasoned Chablis will do.

Also, as an accompaniment to oysters, sommeliers recommend white wines:

• Elegant Sauvignon Blanc with citrus and gooseberry aromas;
• Filled with the freshness of Pinot Grigio;
• Riesling striking with the brightness of the flower bouquet;
• Burgundy Chardonnay with fruity notes;
• Chablis with apple flavor;
• Dry Sherry Fino;
• Hungarian Tokaj and premium brands of Alsatian winemakers.

Oysters go well with not only white wine. An excellent accompaniment for oysters will be pink Bandol and red young Sancerre. When choosing a drink for oysters, you should be guided only by your taste and preferences. In some oyster bars, serve light beers and limes with the main course.

How to Eat Oysters?

The serving of oysters is dictated not by the desire for the dish to be remembered for its spectacular presentation but by the need to preserve it. Oysters are served on a slide of ice, already open. The ice keeps the food fresh for the next half hour. Therefore, try not to put off this dish until later, but eat it after serving.

1. Drizzle with lemon juice or additives vinegar. Pour it straight into the sink.
2. Take a special oyster knife or fork and cut the leg of the oyster.
3. Add sauce to an oyster or remove oyster and dip in the sauce. Oysters are seasoned with olive oil or sour and hot Tabasco sauce.
4. Use a fork to send the oyster into your mouth. In an informal setting, oysters are eaten by simply dropping them in your mouth and drinking the juice from the shell.

What to cook with oysters? A dietary product packed with amino acids also contains selenium and zinc and can be consumed with other food. The seemingly shiny shellfish meat looks fat, but this is an illusion. It is loaded with glucose and contains only 60 calories per 100 grams. Thus, with oysters, you can lose weight without harming health by using them in combination with other products.

If you are mentally not ready to eat raw oysters, you can eat oysters with béchamel sauce, mushrooms, garlic, cheese, tomatoes, onions, celery. However, prolonged heat treatment reduces the beneficial properties. Therefore, we recommend the following recipe. Take slices of bacon and wrap the oyster meat from the shells in them. Pierce the rolls horizontally with wooden skewers and fry on both sides in a pan or grill for 2 minutes. The appetizer can be effectively placed on hot mini white bread toasts.

Like any expensive product, oysters are not an everyday gastronomic pleasure. However, there are enough fans of the dish. An average of 770 thousand tons of oysters are eaten on the planet annually.

What do oysters taste and smell like? An oyster smells nice of the sea and iodine, has a pronounced taste of seafood. And to feel the taste of the mollusk even better, it is recommended to serve it with white wine or stronger drinks. By the way, you can eat oysters raw and cook them in different ways and make a variety of dishes: bake, boil, fry, stew, marinate, etc.