6 Facts You Should Know About National Oyster Day
Facts About National Oyster Day
If you think that Monday, August 5th is just any other day, you’re wrong. This special day is National Oyster Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating these bivalve mollusks. Whether you regularly order oysters or only treat yourself to this delicious seafood on occasion, be sure that you make a point of ordering a great oyster dish on Sunday.
How much do you know about oysters? In honor of this fun holiday, here are some fascinating trivia tidbits for you.
Pearls in Your Plate? Not Likely.
If you’ve ever wondered if you might discover a pearl inside an oyster that you’re about to eat, well, it probably won’t happen. The oysters that we eat are members of the ostreidae family, while the types of oysters that produce pearls are members of the pteriidae family. These pearl-producing species are found in the deep ocean, so it’s unlikely you’ll ever shuck one of these species to eat.
A Healthy Choice
Did you know that oysters are rich in important vitamins? They contain hefty amounts of vitamin A, C, D, and B-12. Vitamin B-12 is a particularly valuable addition to your diet, since it’s known for its ability to help people both lose weight and even improve their memory.
In addition to being a great source of vitamins, oysters contain high amounts of calcium, iron, and protein. They make a great choice whenever you’re looking for a delicious meal at your favorite restaurant.
Long-Term Survival
Because commercial oyster harvesting is strictly regulated, the oyster population is plentiful and they aren’t in danger of going extinct. Many oysters are grown and harvested in oyster farms so their population can be carefully monitored and preserved. In fact, this farming practice is a long-time method that dates back to the times of the Roman Empire.
However, there’s another threat that these mollusks face: Pollution. They’re very sensitive to water quality, and pollution can dramatically affect and reduce their population numbers. If oysters are exposed to toxins, they can absorb and retain those toxins, making them unhealthy for us to eat.
It’s just another reason to continue to find ways to cut down on pollution, reduce the chance of oil spills, and ensure that we’re doing our part to preserve the planet.
Environmental Influence
If you’ve eaten oysters on the East Coast and then headed to the West Coast and had the same dish, you may have noticed some differences in the taste. Oysters are influenced by the water that they live in. Their flavor and texture can change, and they may develop flavors that are buttery or salty, and textures that are firm or soft.
If you’re eating oysters from the East Coast, you’ll find that they tend to be smaller, saltier, and with a milder flavor. West Coast oysters are usually sweeter and have a creamy flavor.
Great Ways to Celebrate National Oyster Day
There’s no better way to celebrate National Oyster Day than to enjoy a delicious dish, and at Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar, we have plenty of great choices for you to enjoy.
A quick look at our menu reveals plenty of delectable seafood choices. Start off with a shellfish platter of main lobster, tiger shrimp, and oysters so your whole table can share. Want something all for yourself? We offer fresh hand shucked oysters that you can enjoy as an appetizer or as a main course.
Looking for additional seafood options? Our shrimp cocktail is a favorite choice, and our salmon is poached with olive oil and perfectly complemented by spring peas and morel mushrooms.
Of course, we also have plenty of drinks that make wonderful pairings with any of our dishes, including our seafood dishes. Try one of our specialty cocktails, like our Endless Summer or Cucumber Essence. Looking for wine or beer? We have countless choices and our talented waitstaff can always recommend some popular pairings.
Here at Hearthstone, we’re known for having some of the freshest local oysters that you’ll find and on National Oyster Day you can enjoy them for $1 all evening long. We serve our oysters on ice with all of the toppings that you need to bring out their natural flavor. We shuck each and every oyster here in-house, so your dish will be fresh and delicious.
You can bet we’ll be serving up plenty of oysters for National Oyster Day, and we hope that you’ll join us. Enjoy a brunch or dinner in our warm, welcoming, and spacious restaurant with your friends and family. We hope to see you this Monday and any other time you’d like to stop in.