National Oyster Day 2023: National Oyster Day is celebrated annually on August 5 to recognise a very special mollusk. This fine delicacy, which is enjoyed as seafood in many parts of the world, requires no introduction, but somebody thought it deserved a celebration. There are many delicious methods to enjoy oysters, such as boiling them, eating them raw, or incorporating them into a soup. Similarly, there are many ways to enjoy this particular day.
Read on to discover how to celebrate National Oyster Day 2021, fun and fascinating facts about oysters, the answer to whether your next oyster will contain a pearl, and much more!
The Background of National Oyster Day
Oysters have existed for aeons, and scientists believe they were among the first living organisms on Earth. Oyster fossils have been discovered that date back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Not only have these tiny gems existed for aeons, but they have also served as a source of nourishment. Data indicates that ancient humans preferred to burn oysters rather than force them open with tools or stone. Fossilised oyster shells from various time periods have been unearthed by archaeologists, proving without a doubt that people in coastal regions routinely consumed oysters.
Oysters were essential to numerous civilizations. They were so beloved by the Greeks that they began cultivating oysters. They were the first civilization in the world to accomplish this. Fishermen would scatter fragments of pottery in areas where oysters grew to encourage juvenile oysters to adhere to the pottery. They would then transport these fragments with juvenile oysters to other locations. These guys even discovered a use for oyster shells, employing them as voting ballots. The famous Greek deity of Beauty and Love, Aphrodite, is said to have been born in an oyster from the ocean.
After the decline of Greek civilization, the Romans assumed the mantle and continued to hold oysters in high regard. They were consumed by wealthy Romans and also appeared in Roman mythology. Despite their fondness for oysters, the Romans overharvested them, causing a shortage. They attempted harvesting and replanting, but none of their efforts were successful. By the time the world entered the eighth century, this affluent man’s food was a prevalent delicacy.
The period between the 18th and 19th centuries is known as the Golden Age of Oysters. Even Jonathan Swift, the renowned satirist, essayist, poet, and author, was a fan. There was a significant increase in bivalve production, making it less expensive to acquire. This resulted in the bivalve being featured in restaurants throughout the United States and Europe.
In the 19th century, New York became the largest oyster producer in the globe. It is believed that the New York Harbour once contained half of the world’s oysters before they were wiped out by overfishing and pollution. History also reveals that oysters are the reason New York’s restaurant industry developed. This city’s economy was so dependent on oysters that the shells were used to pave roads and generate cement, among other things. Multiple other jurisdictions, including Baltimore, New Orleans, and Philadelphia, supplied oysters in addition to New York. They were so plentiful that oyster saloons, now known as oyster houses, sprouted up everywhere. This was the precursor to the oyster uncooked bars of today.
This delicacy gained access to new markets as a result of the railroad’s ability to rapidly convey oysters. Additionally, canning and refrigeration contributed to the growth of the oyster commerce.
Unfortunately, in a historical repetition, this increased demand led to overharvesting, and New York’s oyster beds declined. While the state was moderately successful in introducing foreign oyster species, the introduction of disease caused the destruction of the majority of oyster beds by the early 1900s. Due to decreased production and increased demand, prices rose, and the once-common meal became a rare delicacy once more, a status it maintains to this day.
We do not know the origins of this day, but we do know it is primarily celebrated in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Five Interesting Facts About Oysters
- Oysters take on the characteristics of the bodies of water in which they reside, which is why oysters from the East and West Coasts of the United States taste so differently.
- There are over one hundred species of shellfish.
- Only one in every 10,000 oysters produces a pearl, and then only in non-edible oysters.
- Seattle, Washington is the largest producer of cultured pearls, also known as pearls grown under controlled conditions.
- Oysters attain maturity in approximately three years.
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WHY WE APPRECIATE NATIONAL OYSTER DAY
As with all seafood, oysters are extremely nutritious. Whether they are consumed fresh or cooked, they retain their nutritional value. With all the proteins and micronutrients they provide, is it any surprise that they promote lung, brain, and skin health?
Depending on where you are and how you choose to consume them, the flavour of each mollusk varies. They may have a buttery, lemony, or even briny flavour. They have a flavour unique to the ocean from which they originate and cannot be replicated elsewhere.
The more we learn about this day, the more we realise how important these small mollusks are to the environment. Their valves can eliminate pollutants from an entire ecosystem. This day is also a wonderful reminder of how overharvesting can deplete resources at an alarming rate, encouraging farmers to implement regulations.
