August 5 - National Oyster Day

     

Happy National Oyster Day! Get to slurping on August 5. Oysters are enjoyed as a seafood in many parts of the world. 

Did you know there are over one hundred different species of oysters?  Interestingly, oysters tend to take on the characteristics of the water in which they live. 

Because of this, they’re typically named after the body of water in which they grow. 

While many people enjoy fresh oysters raw, the shellfish can also be savored in multiple other ways. As a side dish, oysters add immense flavor to Thanksgiving dressing.  

They also make delicious stews, soups, and chowders. Other recipes will bake, grill or broil the oysters with or without the shell. 

These mollusks provide valuable nutrients whether eaten cooked or raw. Since oysters supply a high amount of vitamins B12 and A, they may benefit heart, skin, and brain health. 

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  • The Chesapeake Bay produces more oysters in the world than any other body of water.  

• • The world loves oysters! We consume almost two billion pounds of oysters each year around the world! 

• • Illustrating how the body of water influences the flavor of the oysters, the east and west coast U.S. oysters taste very different from each other. 

  On the east coast, oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. However, west coast oysters take on a creamy texture and a sweet flavor.   

• • Only one out of every ten thousand oysters will produce a pearl. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Make or order a dish that uses oyster as one of its main ingredients. 

Try this Grilled Oyster recipe by visiting the website below or share a recipe with us. You can celebrate in other ways as well.

 

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-oysters-0 

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  • Watch the documentary The Oyster Divers of Long Island Sound (2014) dir. by Peter Crosby. 

• • Read up on oysters. National Day Calendar® suggests The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Texture (2016) by Rowan Jacobsen or Appreciating Oysters: An Eater’s Guide to Craft Oysters from Tide to Table (2018) by Dana Deskiewicz. 

• • Explore the world of cooking with oysters. 

Use #NationalOysterDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

The origins of National Oyster Day have not been determined. 

How do you like your oysters? 

#NationalOysterDay

@myrecipes

@Foodimentary 

@Rappahannock 

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