Six Facts About Oysters in Honor of National Oyster Day
Fresh oysters are a delicious delicacy that have become perennial favorites among seafood lovers. Whether you like this plump and juicy or small and briney, there are so many different ways to enjoy oysters. In fact, many food lovers enjoy oysters so much there is actually a National Oyster Day. Every year on August 5th, the nation celebrates National Oyster Day and all things related to this delicious form of shellfish.
Here at Hearthstone, we love oysters. In fact, they are one of the most popular items on our menu. So, in honor of National Oyster Day we have gathered six fun facts about oyster that we think are shucking awesome.
1.Oysters are better for you thank you think.
Most people love eating oysters because of their taste, but they actually have a number of great health benefits as well. They are high in zinc, which can help boost the immune system and are also filled with calcium, vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids, protein and iron. And, they are low in cholesterol. That is a lot of vitamins and minerals in one tiny oyster.
2.There is no such thing as the “R” rule for oysters.
There is an old wives tale that there are certain months where you should and shouldn’t eat oysters and that you should never eat oysters in a month that has an “R” in it. This is not true. You can safely eat oysters any month out of the year.
3.There are five species of oysters.
While there are hundreds of different varieties of oysters, all oysters only come from five different species. They are:
- Atlantic Oysters- Large, tear drop shaped.
- Pacific Oysters (AKA Japanese Oysters)- Small with wavy shells.
- Olympia Oysters- Small with smooth shells and some iridescent coloring.
- Kumamoto Oysters- Small oysters with round, pale shells.
- European Flat Oysters- Large with straight shells.
4.Oysters are great water filters.
Forget the Brita. A single oyster can filter around 30 to 50 gallons of water a day. This means oysters aren’t only great for snacking on, but that they are perfect for keeping our oceans and waters clean and are great for the planet.
5.Not all oysters make pearls.
This isn’t that much of a bummer for those who eat oysters for the taste, but it is a true fact about oysters. Sure, we would all love to pop an oyster open and find a valuable pearl, but not every type of oyster is able to make a pearl. Pearl oysters are known as pinctada which are found deep in the ocean not near the surface.
6.Hearthstone has a National Oyster Day celebration!
Yes, in honor of National Oyster Day, Hearthstone, a Summerlin Restaurant, actually offers $1 oysters all evening long. On Saturday August 5th, we will have these $1 oysters all evening so make sure to book your reservations or stop in for some budget-friendly oysters any time Saturday evening.
