Oysters
"He was a bold man that first ate an oyster", I'm sure you've heard this famous quote by Jonathan Swift. Archaeological research shows humans have been consuming oysters since prehistoric times. The mystique surrounding the oyster is full of romance and love. In Greek mythology Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sprang from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros. This is where the term aphrodisiac originated. In ancient Rome oysters were literally worth their weight in gold and famed lover Casanova feasted on dozens of oysters each night.
The oyster has long been thought to raise one's libido. Likely oysters picked up this reputation at a time when people had vitamin deficient diets and eating vitamin rich oysters had a significant effect on their overall health which in turn increased their sex drives. They also contain dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that helps control brain activity and increase sexual desires.
Romance aside, eating oysters is very healthy. Oysters are the richest source of the trace mineral zinc found in nature with 150 mg of zinc per gram. They also contain other essential vitamins and minerals such as iron and vitamin B 12. Like other healthy seafood they contain Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to help prevent heart disease as well as several other common ailments and they are even low in calories and saturated fats.
Perhaps you have been to an oyster bar that serves oysters on the half shell or one of many fine seafood restaurants that serve fried oysters, smoked oyster and baked oyster. If you have I'm sure you know what all the fuss is about. Oysters are one of nature's true treasures. They are considered a delicacy worldwide thanks to their delicious succulent flavor.
You will find 4 main varieties of oysters at any well stocked fish market, Atlantic, Pacific, Olympia and European flat oysters. However, the widest variety of oysters are available for purchase online through gourmet mail order seafood suppliers. Since oyster flavor and quality depends on the conditions in which they are grown each oyster farm produces its own unique oysters. I recommend trying fresh oysters from a wide range of suppliers over buying the same variety at your local seafood market again and again.
When buying oysters you will find they are available in several forms including live, frozen shucked and canned. To ensure freshness and quality the best way to buy them is live. However if you plan to use them in a recipe it will save you a lot of tedious work to buy them shucked. For your convenience I have written an in-depth guide to buying raw oysters that walks you through the entire process.
If you are wondering how to cook oyster, the truth is the best way is to not cook them at all. The correct question is how to eat oyster. The traditional way of eating oysters is raw on the half shell, however there are several gourmet cooking recipes that use oysters for the squeamish. The most famous of which is oysters Rockefeller. When you buy oysters online they usually come with a preparation guide and cookbook. For further information on consuming and preparing oysters please refer to my eating oysters article.
With its romantic mystique, health benefits and succulent taste, the oyster is truly among the best seafood in the world. This oyster guide is a work in progress that I will be periodically updating with more and more detailed oyster information so be sure to bookmark it. Enjoy your oyster feast!
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