The Secret “5 S” To Enjoy Oysters at Home
SELECT. SHUCK. SERVE. SAVOUR. SAUVIGNON BLANC
“Oysters, like wine, have a tendency to bring people together, open up conversation, throw inhibitions to the side and make a party unique.”
– John Belknap, owner of John & Sons Oyster House
S1: SELECT
Ten Tips To Select Oysters
1. Buy oysters from a local fish monger and ask for ‘Select’ or ‘Choice’ grade oysters.
2. Look for oysters that are tightly closed. Avoid oysters that have a soft or spongy shell.
3. Choose oysters that are slightly rounded and evenly shaped, with a deep cup.
4. The oyster should feel full. Tap on the shell, if it sounds hollow, put it back, it’s probably dead.
5. A fresh oyster should smell like the ocean. If it smells off, you will know it’s not fresh.
6. Plan to buy for 3 – 6 oysters per person.
7. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to taste.
8. Oyster flavour varies depending on the marine environment in which they are grown.
9. You can get fresh oysters all year long. Depending on the season, weather and availability, you can get fresh oysters from either Canadian coast.
During Canadian summer months, enjoy oysters from the southern hemisphere where it is currently winter, like New Zealand, and the cold waters produce firm plump oysters.
10. When you bring the oysters home, store cup side down in a box or well ventilated basket in the refrigerator until ready to shuck and serve.
“Here in the Marlborough Sounds we have a Pacific Rock Oyster which is just delicious. The problem is, sometimes I find myself on a rocky piece of coast, surrounded by Rock Oysters, and the dilemma then becomes ‘how shredded am I prepared to let my fingers become before I’ve had enough oysters?’”
– Dave Edmonds, Nobilo Winemaker Winemaker
Share your Nobilo experience #NobiloWines #NobiloAndOysters.
Watch the video on how to shuck an oyster.
These tips on selecting oysters are courtesy of Nobilo Wines.
