It's vital to clean your oysters well before shucking. Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove sand, dirt, and debris. You can also put your oysters into a cold icy saltwater bath to soak for an hour in order to purge them of sand and grit.
Chew, chew, chew
Also, when consuming an oyster in the shell, remember the 'oyster liquor' is there to be enjoyed. The oyster shell contains this liquor, which is full of a briny flavor, so there is no need to remove before consuming. It will complement the flavors of the oyster itself, not overpower it."
Eating raw or undercooked shellfish, like raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio, may cause foodborne illness (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). Cooking oysters to an internal temperature of 74⁰C is the safest way to serve them.
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.
(ISNS) -- A spritz of lemon and a dash of hot sauce make oysters taste great -- but a bath of salt water might make them more safe to eat.
Once people have polished off the first round of oysters, dump out the semi-melted crushed ice in the serving bowl, and replenish with the extra crushed ice you processed earlier. Transfer the second round of shucked oysters from the sheet tray to the bowl of crushed ice. Rinse and repeat until you're out of oysters.
Most of the time, you'll see oysters or clams served on a bed of crushed iced with lemon wedges, hot sauce, and a mignonette sauce (more on this later!). The top shell is popped off to reveal the meat on the inside sitting in the bottom shell. You're meant to eat them on their own or with the condiments.
Once it's loosened, raise the edge of the shell to your lips and gently tip it back until the entire oyster has slid into your mouth. Don't drain off the liquid, known as oyster liquor, from the shell before you eat it either. This liquid perfectly compliments the flavors of the oyster and shouldn't be wasted!
Consider placing a fairly thick bed of coarse Le Guerande salt between the oysters and the ice. This layer of salt will help temper how the cold from the ice works - and as a result your dish will be even more original.
When buying live oysters, make sure the shells are firmly closed. Discard any that are open or appear to have lost their water. Clean the shells before shucking in order to avoid getting grit in the oyster and having to wash the meat (you lose the juices when you wash them!).
Oyster Shelf Life
For most varieties, it's safe to say you should eat them within a week. The colder the temperature, the longer the oyster shelf life. Some people choose to keep their oysters in the fridge for up to two weeks or even longer. With proper refrigeration, that's totally okay.
Nope. You can turn them over if you want, but you don't have to. (Some people believe it's a courtesy to the server, so he or she knows you are finished.) If you are dining with food snobs and want to sound sophisticated, what buzzwords should you use to describe oysters?
Lemon juice brings out the crave-able briny flavor that make oysters the delicacy they are. If lemon just won't cut it for you…mignonette is hands down our favorite way to dress an oyster. This name may sound fancy, but it is an incredibly simple dressing to prepare.
Oysters will die if they sit in fresh water. You can keep them on a tray of ice for an hour or so but avoid letting them sit in a puddle of fresh water.
Lemon juice on an oyster is an easy way to enhance its natural briny flavor. Think of this as the purist's version of an oyster sauce.
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.
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.
To “slurp” an oyster, simply tip your head backward while holding the wider end of the oyster to your lips. The oyster should easily slide out of its shell and into your mouth. Just be careful not to let it become lodged in the back of the throat.
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.