Oysters are a refined, expensive, tasty and healthy product. As for consumption, they are eaten fresh from shells, and only lemon juice is used as a sauce. Oysters are not chewed but drunk from the sink. This dish should be washed down with dry white wine or light beer. What do oysters taste like? No one has yet been able to accurately and unequivocally describe this taste, it is exclusive.
What is the use?
There are many legends about the benefits and harms of oysters, and all because of their unique biological composition. Oysters have a very large number of proteins, which act as a building material for muscles. They also contain unsaturated fats (omega-3, omega-6), which are indispensable for the full functioning of the brain and the functioning of cells. And without omega-3 there will be no beautiful and healthy hair, nails and skin. In addition, unsaturated fats are also a wonderful prevention of atherosclerosis, as they do an excellent job in removing low-density cholesterol from the blood. But the benefits of oysters do not end there. The composition of the pulp includes vitamins A, B, C, D, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, iron, chromium, fluorine and this is not a complete list. A high zinc content has contributed to the fact that oysters began to be called a natural aphrodisiac, because this trace element stimulates the production of testosterone. But vitamins A and E are natural antioxidants that not only rejuvenate the body, increase immunity, but are also an excellent prevention of cancer. Iron and mineral salts increase hemoglobin levels and prevent the development of anemia. Some doctors even attribute to people with anemia to eat oysters.
Another factor that is of considerable importance is the protein component, which includes essential amino acids. Oysters are also included in the list of the best products for people who want to get rid of extra pounds, because 100 grams of oysters account for only 72 calories. Therefore, if you are on a diet, then you should spend money on such healthy oysters. As for nutritional value, 100 grams of Crimean oysters account for 9 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of carbohydrates.
However, all the above beneficial properties are preserved only in fresh oysters, they should be eaten practically alive. The benefits and harms of oysters are closely interconnected. If the mollusk does not react to interventions when opening the shell, it means that it is already dead, and eating such a product will not bring any benefit. To date, oysters are eaten both boiled, and baked, and even fried. Only now the benefits of mollusks, subject to heat treatment, are already several times less.
And what is the danger?
The benefits of oysters are undeniable as well as their obvious dangers. Only fresh product should be consumed, otherwise the risk of food poisoning is quite high. Abandon oysters should primarily those who suffer from diseases of the digestive system and spleen. Doctors recommend leaving oysters for pregnant women and nursing mothers for later, since the risk of complications is great. Before use, you should carefully examine the shell, it is especially important that there are no fragments from the shells, otherwise you can seriously damage the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
Where can I find fresh oysters?
Oysters live in warm seas, it is mainly the Black and Sea of Japan, as well as the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Water with a low salt content is ideal for mollusks, so they settle in estuaries, especially prefer tidal zones. The depth at which oysters live is not great, usually one meter, although some species can also be found at a depth of 50-60 meters. Mollusks can be populated by an area along the coast, equal to 300-400 meters, which is why at some point the question arose of regulating the collection of mollusks. They began to breed them artificially, they did not have to study for a long time, because they began to grow oysters in ancient Rome. Today, the leading positions in production are occupied by the Japanese, Americans and French. Oysters were especially fond of the latter, they are called "pearls of French cuisine" there. In order not to turn the benefits of oysters into harm, eat shellfish need to be exclusively fresh.
How to use?
This marine gourmet delicacy has been eaten for a very long time, oysters have gained particular popularity several thousand years ago. The classic oysters are served alive on crushed ice in a large bowl and always with lemon juice. Eating mollusks is not so simple, for starters you need to open the sink with a special knife with a short blade and a sharp tip with a protected handle, so as not to injure your hands, because the edges of the sink are quite sharp. But do not be scared, because in restaurants oysters are most often served already open. Season the dish with black pepper, lemon juice, vinegar sauce and shallots. From drinks - white wine. But this is not the only way to serve oysters, as they can be cooked, fried and baked. Culinary experts have developed many recipes that include the addition of shellfish. The modern world allows you to buy seafood at any time of the year, but true gourmets believe that oysters are delicious and healthy in the autumn-winter time. It is important to remember only one thing - it is no longer possible to freeze oysters repeatedly, they need to be cooked immediately. Oysters are boiled almost instantly, within one minute. What do oysters taste like? Many equate them to beluga caviar to taste, but everyone takes this dish in their own way.
How to choose the right one?
A small number of varieties of oysters are brought to the territory of Russia. The most popular of them are Fin de Claire, White Pearls and Imperial. The latter, as you might guess, was bred specifically for the Russian emperors. Usually, in addition to the name, a number is also indicated. What does he mean? No. 1 - large (100-120 grams), No. 2 - small (75-100 grams) and so on. If you try oysters for the first time and do not understand them at all, then experts recommend that you first find out the name of the variety, learn about its features, or try several pieces of each variety to understand your preferences. Many people prefer oysters and mollusks of the White Pearl variety, since there is a large mollusk inside the shell.
How to check?
As we know, oysters should be fresh, or rather alive. There is a high risk of serious poisoning if you eat a dead oyster. Checking the freshness of oysters is quite simple. It is only necessary to gently and easily touch the little finger of the extreme layer resembling a fringe, which is located on the inner edges of the shell. The oyster should respond to touch and contract. This action is barely noticeable, so be extremely careful, as the mollusk will not squeak, twitch, open the sink and wish you a pleasant appetite.
How to eat oysters in a restaurant?
In order to eat oyster, you have to use a special fork, so as not to spill the internal liquid of the shell, the mollusk should be separated from it. Very often, in restaurants, the binder trunk is immediately washed away, and then the separation of mollusks from shells will not be a problem. Many people are interested in how to eat oysters in a restaurant, because you need to swallow the contents of the shell in one fell swoop, but sometimes the oysters are too large. For example, if it’s the White Pearl variety. There is a chance just to spill the contents of the sink on your outfit, and dinner will no longer be so enjoyable. In this case, you should immediately eat the clam with a special fork, and then drink the contents. Ideally, eating oysters should be accompanied by a glass of dry white wine, so that the sea flavor of iron becomes more pleasant. Usually the oyster season begins in the fall and lasts until May. But in fact, restaurants serve oysters all year round. Recently, Crimean oysters have become popular.
Interesting facts
Sea oysters began to be eaten back in ancient Rome, during which for a long time many interesting facts were gathered about this dish:
- It is believed that oysters enhance sexual energy. It is said that Casanova, the most popular hero lover, ate as many as 50 whole oysters at breakfast.
- An oyster drinks sea water, and the liquid inside it is considered a thick sea juice.
- Once oysters were the food of poor people who simply did not have enough money for ordinary meat. This led to the fact that oysters soon became a real shortage and this seafood became a real delicacy, for which people are willing to pay a lot of money.
- Oysters can change gender. They are born males, and at maturity they become females. That is why oysters can self-fertilize.
- Oysters do not move.
- The largest specimens can reach 38 centimeters in length.
- Only in 20% of oysters can a pearl be found.
And this is not a complete list of entertaining information about this exquisite delicacy. The benefits of oysters (the harm from them, as it turned out, are minimal) for health and beauty are invaluable, therefore absolutely every person should try such a unique product.