10 Things You Didn't Know About Oysters
With the new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to dive into learning something new! If you didn't know much about oysters before, then get ready to become an oyster connoisseur. Read on for some fun oyster facts, that will have you enjoying them in a new light.
1. Oysters have been around for 15 million years. Humans have been eating oysters since prehistoric times and cultivating them since the times of the Roman Empire. At Sanctuary Oysters, we've been growing and harvesting our Pacific oysters for over 20 years.
2. Oysters can live for more than a decade. After turning a year old, an oyster officially becomes an adult and can enjoy a beautiful life for up to 20 years.
3. Oysters come in countless varieties. There are at least 11 different oyster species in the world, but not all species are edible. In North America, there are four most common edible oyster species: the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea), Belon oyster (Ostrea edulis), Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida/conchapila). Not all oysters taste the same, which brings us to our next fact.
4. It's not the species, but the location that gives oysters their flavor. Oysters get their rich taste, shape and texture from their environment. Since oysters filter water through their gills, they absorb different levels of salt and nutrients. At Sanctuary Oysters, we harvest our oysters in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our oysters are nourished in the idyllic water of the Pacific Ocean, giving them their delicious, robust flavor and resulting in bigger, deeper cups.
5. Oysters can filter 1.3 gallons of water per hour. Oysters are not only tasty creatures, but they are also good for the environment. Every day, a single adult oyster filters about 30 to 50 gallons of water while simultaneously consuming algae. At Sanctuary Oysters, we implement a unique above-seabed growing technique to increase the tidal current's ability to feed and clean our oysters, impacting their texture, taste and appearance.
6. Oysters are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Not only are oysters delicious to eat, but they are great for your health. Oysters contain a variety of vitamins and nutrients: zinc, calcium, magnesium, protein, selenium and vitamin A. The zinc from oysters can increase your mood, keep your energy up and help boost your immune system.
7. Oysters are at their best in the winter. With cooler water temperatures & waves of nutritious phytoplankton, winter is the prime time for oysters. These conditions cultivate nutritious, flavorful, full-bodied oysters that everyone can enjoy. That's why at Sanctuary Oysters, we take a break around September through mid-October and let our oysters go on vacation.
8. Oysters produce pearls. Oysters can produce pearls, but not the shiny rounded pearls we all know. Natural pearls begin to form when a foreign substance slips into an oyster between its mantle—the organ that produces an oyster’s shell—and its actual shell. Most of the time, they form in an uneven shape. These are called baroque pearls and they come in a variety of various colors, including white, black, gray, red, blue and green. Although the oysters we eat don’t always make perfectly round pearls, you could say their taste makes them a “gem of the sea.”
9. Oysters are shaped by their beds. Once an oyster occupies a surface, it attaches and forms to it. By cultivating our oysters in mesh bags above the seabed, this allows them to grow in depth rather than length.
10. Oyster shells are recyclable. After indulging in our Pacific oysters, you can recycle their shells instead of throwing them away. They’re actually the best, most natural material used to rebuild and restore oyster reefs. To donate your empty shells, check out these public shell drop off locations.
Who knew oysters could be so fascinating and delicious? If you’re looking to learn more about our Sanctuary Oysters, shoot us an email please at info@solazul.com.mx.