Opening the shells of fresh oysters is a difficult process as you get inside the shells and remove the flesh without losing the oyster juice, the delicious liquid inside. Opening the hard shell of an oyster to extract its delicious flesh and juices requires strong hands and the right tools. Learn how to choose which oysters to open, the proper technique for opening them, and how to eat them fresh straight from the shell.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparation for Opening Oyster Shells
Step 1. Choose fresh oysters
The oysters should be alive when you open them. If it is dead, then the oyster is not safe to eat. Choose oysters with the following characteristics:
- The shell is closed. If the shell of an oyster is open, then the oyster is probably dead. Gently tap the shell just in case. If the shell suddenly closes, it means the oyster is still alive and safe to eat.
- Gives off a fresh sea scent. Fresh oysters smell sweet and salty like sea air. If the oyster smells fishy or "rotten", it means that the oyster is not fresh.
- Feels heavy. Place the oyster on the palm of the hand. If it feels heavy, then the oyster is still full of seawater and may have just been taken. If it feels light, it means the sea water has dried up and is no longer fresh.
Step 2. Prepare the right equipment
In addition to fresh oysters, you will need the following equipment:
- Stiff bristle brush
- Thick gloves
- Special knife for oysters or other knives with thick blades that will not break
- Ice cubes to keep the oysters fresh until serving
Step 3. Understand the anatomy of the oyster
Before opening an oyster shell, look at the oyster carefully so you know the proper way to handle it when you open it.
- The hinge is the muscle that connects the top and bottom shells at the end of the oyster.
- Opposite to the hinge is the spherical front of the oyster.
- The top of the oyster is the shell which is flatter in shape.
- The shell at the bottom is shaped like a cup.
Method 2 of 3: Opening Oyster Shells
Step 1. Put on gloves
Oyster shells are very sharp and you could hurt your hands if you don't wear rubber gloves or thick canvas when opening them. Don't overlook this simple safety measure.
Step 2. Rub the oyster shells clean
Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the sea sand off the oysters.
- Rinse the rubbed oysters under cold running water.
- When you handle one oyster at a time, make sure that the oyster is still alive and fresh.
Step 3. Hold the oyster with one hand and the cup-shaped shell on the bottom
The curved part of the oyster shell should be in the palm of your hand. The end, or hinge, should be facing you.
Step 4. Insert the oyster knife into the hinge
Point it downwards at the cup-shaped part of the shell. Use a circular motion to separate the top and bottom shells. You should feel the hinge of the oyster breaking when you turn the knife.
Step 5. Move the knife along the top of the shell
Move the knife as close to the top of the shell as possible and move it from the hinge to the other side of the oyster. Continue using circular motions to separate the top and bottom shells.
- The shell of the oyster will close very tightly, so be careful not to let the knife slip when you open the oyster.
- Try not to break the oyster shell into pieces. Some small shell fragments may enter the interior, but the shell must remain intact.
- Do not tilt the shell or turn it upside down, as the delicious oyster liquid may leak out.
Step 6. Open the oyster
When the top and bottom shells separate, open the oyster, holding it upright. Move the knife along the top shell to remove any remaining flesh.
- Check for shell fragments or adhering sand.
- If you wish, carefully remove the oyster meat from the bottom shell so that you or your guests don't have to remove it again before eating it. Put the oyster meat back on the shell before serving.
Step 7. Serve the oysters
Place the oysters that have been shelled open and there is still liquid on top of the ice cubes.
Method 3 of 3: Eating Oysters
Step 1. Pour the sauce over the fresh oysters
Use hot sauce, vinegar, or lemon juice.
Step 2. Bring the oyster to your lips and eat it
Suck the oyster with one pull.
Step 3. Drink oyster liquid
The salty and fresh oyster liquid makes the perfect drink.
Tips
- Oysters are consumed all year round. However, the oyster meat is not as fresh as in the summer months when the weather is warm.
- Live oysters should be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Oysters that have been shelled and still have liquid can be stored for up to two days.
- Storing the oysters in the freezer for 15-20 minutes will make the oysters easier to open, but the oysters won't be as fresh anymore.
Warning
- After inserting the knife into the oyster shell, it's important to use the right angle, make circular motions, and move it vigorously enough to open the oyster without damaging the flesh.
- Do not handle oysters with bare hands. The indentations on the shell are very sharp. Opening oyster shells without protection can hurt your hands.
