Raw oysters can carry harmful bacteria that can make you sick. To avoid foodborne illness, always cook oysters properly (to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F) before eating them.
Before eating an oyster, you should pick it up and take a sniff: The smell should be "like the ocean breeze," Proto says, and they should feel ice cold to the touch. If they feel warm or if they give off an odor that makes you recoil, that's a major red flag.
How Long Do Oysters Last? Consume live oysters within two days of buying them for the freshest result. Live, in-shell oysters have a shelf life of up to seven days under proper storage conditions in your fridge. Shucked oysters will keep for a maximum of five days.
Fresh: Fresh, live oysters can be shucked at home then eaten on the half shell with your preferred condiment. Protect your hands when shucking oysters, and be sure to wash the outer shell of the oyster before opening.
"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.
Chew vs Swallow
Some people prefer to chew oysters while others quickly swallow them. While either option works (hey, as long as you get to eat an oyster!!), chewing the oyster will enable you to really taste the flavor of the waters inside the oyster.
Cooking them will kill off any potential contaminants. If you do decide to cook your oysters, you're still getting plenty of seafood benefits. Try steaming your oysters to retain as much of the nutrients as possible.
Raw oysters are also an abundant source of several vitamins and minerals. They're a particularly good source of vitamin B12, which research has indicated plays a big role in keeping your brain healthy. Other micronutrients include: Vitamin D.
Cooked Oysters
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.
If you're unsure about chewing, it's perfectly fine to eat an oyster without using your teeth. Once you've tried this and got an idea of the flavor, you can move on to chewing a few times before swallowing. A few chews is plenty to release all the flavor, and few people chew their oysters more than that.
Once you get them home, they should go straight into your refrigerator. The FDA recommends fridges be kept at 40 degrees fahrenheit or below. This works well for oysters, as at 40 degrees, they think it is winter time and they'll basically go into inactive mode. It is also best if you can keep them from drying out.
You may have heard the saying that you should only eat oysters in months that contain the letter "r," meaning oysters harvested in the warmer summer months of May through August were not safe for consumption. However, oysters are now sold and consumed year-round with little to no worries.
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.
How likely are you to get sick from eating raw oysters? According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), during peak vibrio season in the Louisiana Gulf Area, you can expect about one case of vibriosis out of every 2,270 servings of oysters.
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.
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.
When properly cared for live oysters will live in your refrigerator for 10 to 21 days. Are they alive? When oysters are dead in their shells they are no longer suitable to eat. To see if your oysters are alive, the shell should be closed or close when tapped lightly.
Fridge Is Fine
You can also store your oysters in the refrigerator in a closed container or sealed plastic bag. Oysters don't breathe once they are taken out of the water. They will keep fresh like this for 1-2 weeks after harvest.
If you have liver disease and happen to love raw oysters, you need to know about a life-threatening bacterium for those with liver disease. Thoroughly cooked oysters will not harm you, but if you eat them raw, you could become a statistic.
Steamed Oysters
Steaming is also one of the healthiest ways to cook oysters, as it doesn't require olive oil or other ingredients that could add calories and fat.
You better believe it! Fill up on oysters before cramming onto an airplane. You'll feel better once you get off, plus you'll greatly reduce the probability of getting sick. Oysters also contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help ward off any unwanted bacteria.
Honestly, however you want. Think of them like any other tinned fish, like sardines or clams. Canned oysters go great as a dip (chopped up with chives and cream cheese), or mixed into pasta (with lemon and butter and parsley). Put them on a pizza, or bake them into a savory pie, or fold them into an omelette.
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.
Nutritional Content
They're also rich in beneficial antioxidants, healthy cholesterol and omega-3 fatty acids. With all these impressive nutrients contained in such small portions, oysters are a god among superfoods, seriously boosting your body's health and overall functions.