The top five types of oysters commonly harvested in the US include:

• Pacific 
• Kumamoto 
• Atlantic 
• European Flats
• Olympia 

Origin of oysters

The existence of bivalves can generally be traced back millions of years. Early humans cooked oysters with fire because it was difficult to open their shells with primitive tools. The oysters were usually placed on top of a heated stone or flame until the shell cracked. The consumption of this food likely started 400,000 years ago, around the same time as the first use of fire. Recently, archeologists discovered fossilized oyster shells, which are believed to be from the Stone Age. 

The ancient Greeks and Romans enjoyed eating this food. In fact, the Greeks were the first people to cultivate these bivalves, using a technique of scattering pottery pieces. The oyster babies would attach themselves to the pottery pieces and fishermen would come later to harvest and transplant them. The Greeks also used oyster shells to cast ballots during elections. 

When the Greeks fell to the Romans, this food still held a significant place in their culture and the rich continued to eat them. However, due to overharvesting, these edible bivalves became scarce, which made the Romans transport them to their conquered territories. Unfortunately, this contributed even more to their shortage, as oysters don’t last long.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, oysters became cheap and accessible in the US and Europe. New York City soon became the largest producer of this food. Oysters were an integral part of building up the city’s economy. Although due to overharvesting and disease in the 1970s, this food has become quite scarce and expensive again. Nonetheless, people still enjoy eating them today. 

Nutrition

85g of raw oysters without the shell contain:

Oysters offer a lot of potential health benefits. Here are a few of them:

• This food can help promote weight loss, as it is rich in protein.
• They possess antioxidant properties to protect human liver cells from damage. 
• They help fight against heart disease.
• They are rich in vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Vitamin B12 aids the metabolism, while vitamin D is crucial for cellular growth.

However, there are a few health concerns associated with consuming this food.

• There is a chance of contracting a bacterial infection, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. This risk is exceptionally high when you eat them raw.
• This food has a high zinc content and large amounts of zinc can be detrimental for the body.
• For these reasons, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems should stay away from eating raw oysters.

Commercial production

People consume about two billion oysters every year. These creatures usually grow in shallow waters. They also remain in a particular location throughout their lifetime; therefore, it is not stressful to harvest them. Nowadays, people construct oyster hatcheries to commercially produce this food. The proximity to a source of water is a critical factor in setting up these hatcheries.  The water has to be clean seawater with a salinity of between 15 to 30 parts per thousand. 

Low salinity is not suitable for the early growth of these creatures. It is also essential that people consider pollutants, turbidity, and natural algae production in the water. It is important to contact the local agency in charge of oyster harvesting in the region. This will help to know what rules might apply to the use of produced oysters.

Application

It is easy to extract oysters from their shell. Simply follow the steps below: 

• Place the shells under cold running water to remove dirt.
• Hold the oyster shell in your hand with a clean cloth. This cloth reduces the chances of the shell slipping out of your hand.
• Make use of a shucking knife for this part. Use the knife to gently pop apart the shells.
• Detach the meat from the top shell with a sharp knife and do the same for the bottom crust.

This food is best eaten a few hours after buying them. You can eat them alone, or with some hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon. If you want to store live oysters, place them on a bed of ice. This will help them retain their flavor.

Ideally, you should consume shucked oyster meat immediately. However, it can stay in the fridge in an airtight container for up to seven days. Already cooked meat can safely stay up to three days in the refrigerator. Storing raw or cooked oysters in the freezer will help them last for about three months.

Oyster recipes

There are many ways to spice up this marine food. Here are five flavorful recipes you can try:

• Hangtown Fry
• Cajun Burgers with Collard Greens and Fried Oysters 
• Fried-Oysters Benedict with Tasso Hollandaise 
• Murder Point Oysters with Apple Ginger Relish 
• Mini Tacos with Fried Oysters and Pimiento Cheese 

FDA regulation

The Food and Drug Administration has a standard of identity for fresh and canned oysters. The FDA also details which species are categorized as oysters. These regulations detail how this food should be drained, prepared, and the total time it should be in contact with water or saltwater after shucking.

References

P, C. “The History of Oysters: Its Rise as a Delicacy and a Staple Food Beloved by Many.” Foodworthwritingfor.com, foodworthwritingfor blog, 8 May 2020, foodworthwritingfor.com/2018/07/31/the-history-of-oysters-its-rise-as-a-delicacy-and-a-staple-food-beloved-by-many/. 

Kubala, Jillian. “Oysters: Nutrition, Risks, and How to Cook Them.” Healthline.com, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/oysters.

“CFR – Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21.” Accessdata.fda.gov, U.S Food & Drug Administration, 1 Apr. 2019, www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=161.130.