How to Eat An Oyster: 5 Ways to Serve Oysters

True oysters are bivalve mollusks of the Ostreidae family. (Oysters that produce pearls belong to the Aviculidae family.) Edible oysters live in both warm and cold waters along the coasts of every ocean and have been cultivated as food for 2,000 years. The two valves, or hinged oyster shells, are slightly different in shape—one is convex, and the other is flatter, though both shells are bumpy. Common oyster varieties include:

• European oysters: Ostrea edulis are a small species found on the Atlantic coast of England, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
• Portuguese oysters: Crassostrea gigas, also known as giant Pacific oysters, are a larger variety (up to ten inches) found in Europe and Asia.
• American oysters: Crassostrea virginica can reach up to seven inches in diameter and live on the Atlantic coast from New Brunswick, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico.

Oysters are a slippery bite with a soft yet springy texture. They have a buttery, briny flavor with large notes of seawater. However, there are many different types of oysters whose different flavor notes vary depending on the region—for instance, cold water oysters have a slower metabolism, and are said to be more plump and sweeter due to their extra storage of fat and sugar. East coast oysters are smaller and less creamy than west coast oysters, have a milder flavor, and are usually brinier tasting. Some oysters may have a gritty or metallic taste, while others may have an intensely salty flavor.

Good oysters will look opaque and never smell or taste “fishy.” Bad oysters will look withered and dry inside the shell and likely smell “off.” If there is no seawater inside the shell, the oyster is likely dead.

Oysters are a versatile food that can be eaten raw or cooked. Some people like to swallow the oyster whole, but the majority of people prefer to chew them, as that is how you get the full flavor. Many people who eat raw oysters garnish them with lemon juice, cocktail sauce, or a Champagne mignonette sauce as a companion condiment. However, oysters can also be fried, baked, steamed, or stewed.

There are many different ways to eat an oyster. Some common ways of eating oysters include:

1. 1. 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. Use an oyster knife to completely sever the top (or flat) side of the oyster from the cupped bottom, then carefully use your oyster knife to sever the oyster muscle from the shell. Keep the juice pooled in the shell, and add a condiment like horseradish or a mignonette, if desired. Tilt the wider, bottom edge part of the oyster shell to your lips, slurping in the oyster along with its juices. You can also use a tiny fork to scoop out the oyster and eat it that way instead.
2. 2. Stewed: Oyster stew is a dish consisting of oysters cooked with aromatics, milk, cream, and sometimes sherry. Oyster stew is typically served with tiny crackers known as oyster crackers, which may have been named after the stew.
3. 3. Fried: Fried oyster sandwiches or po’boys are another popular way to enjoy oysters. Shuck the oysters, then bread and deep-fry them, and arrange them on a halved baguette with pickled slaw, hot sauce, and a remoulade.
4. 4. Steamed: If you don’t like the idea of raw oysters but also don’t want to fry them, steaming is another option. Steaming fresh oysters for about three to five minutes will also help open the shells. Steamed oysters can be eaten as is or added to a hot linguini dish.
5. 5. Broiled: Also known as oysters Rockefeller, broiled oysters are made by topping oysters on the half shell with butter, herbs, and breadcrumbs, then briefly baking or broiling them. Broiled oysters are typically served with lemon wedges.

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