As one of the only foods that humans eat alive, oysters may not be for every palate. Still, humans slurp tons of them down with Champagne (naturally) year after year. And whether or not you flee the table when someone orders a plate, we think everyone can agree that oysters are really fascinating. In recognition of National Oyster Day, which falls on August 5, here's some oyster food for thought.
It is said that Pearl Street -- Manhattan's oldest street -- is named so because it was covered with crushed oyster shells when walked on by the Dutch in the 1700s.
Some oysters, such as Eastern, change their genders based on environmental, nutritional, and physiological stresses, and sometimes annually. They start out and mature as males, but will change to female later and sometimes reverse again. Some studies show that oysters will go back to being male when near females.
Slurping is the wrong way to do it.
Of all the ways to eat oysters, it turns out slurping is the wrong way to do it. Bon Appetit polled several oyster chefs who say that real oyster enjoyment happens when you treat it like wine: smell it first, pour it into your mouth with its "liquor," or juice, and chew two-to-three times.
They are (maybe) an aphrodisiac.
This is a debated oyster fact, but due to their high zinc content, many people like to think oysters will rev up your libido. And sometimes, the idea is all we need. The truth is, a zinc-deficient diet can not only lead to impotence, it can cause hair loss and acne.
Advertisement
Shells are great for gardening.
After your night of oyster-binging, save the shells and crush them up for your garden. The shells help neutralize the acidity in the soil, as well as help with drainage and an even release of calcium through the growing season, according to Gardenista.
Oysters take in a lot of water.
Because oysters are filter feeders, eating phytoplankton that passes through their gills, and cleaning the water in the process -- each oyster filters about 30 to 50 gallons of water every day.
Because of this, beware the bad oyster.
If the oyster you're about to swallow is infected with vibrio vulnificus, a bacterial microorganism found in seawater, you could be in for a long night of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It isn't common -- about 900 cases were reported between 1998 and 2006 in the Gulf Coast region, according to Newsweek -- nor is it too serious. Doctors usually treat it with antibiotics.
They have colorless blood and kidneys.
Oysters have three-chambered hearts that pump colorless blood (or hemolyph) throughout their bodies, -- and because they filter their food and reject foreign objects, those which are Ostreid don't produce pearls (pearl-producing oysters are Pterioida, a different kind altogether).
Advertisement
Also on HuffPost:
Our Favorite Comfort Foods
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.