Oysters prefer to grow on the rocks of shallow tidal waters, thriving best in clean salt water or areas where salt and fresh water meet. After breeding, the oysters are detached from the reef with rakes or ropes and then collected by hand or machine. They are then cleaned in clarification tanks before being sold on the market.

Open correctly

When opening the oyster, use a kitchen towel or a special oyster glove to avoid injury. Hold the oyster with the belly side down, the pointed part facing your own body. Place the oyster knife on this tip, the hinge, and insert it with light pressure. Now, using twisting movements of the knife, spread the shell open, cut the sphincter inside and remove the upper shell. Remove the oyster meat from the shell with the knife - done.

When are oysters in season?

The classic rule says that months with "r" are ideal. The reason for the rule was that oysters reproduce in the summer months and the resulting milky flesh consistency and lack of quality. To escape this time restriction, so-called triploid oysters are now mainly bred. These hermaphrodites do not have to reproduce and are therefore edible all year round. Since they also grow one and a half times faster, they are also very popular with oyster farmers due to higher yields. There are over 50 different species in the world. They are mainly divided into the shallow, round European oyster and the rather deep and elongated Pacific rock oyster. The varieties are usually named after their origin.

Quite versatile

The most important thing when buying an oyster is that it is fresh. The oyster should therefore still be alive and sealed. Classically, oysters are served raw in their shells, on ice and with lemon slices. However, the noble seafood can also be cooked or baked. Star chef Wilco Berends loves to serve oysters in different variations. His creations such as baked oysters with duck liver and chicken, with gin and tonic or with vodka and caviar often convince even oyster sceptics: "Many guests get a taste for oysters this way, even if they didn't want to try them before.