Alexandra Ramirez
Introduction
It’s a great idea to learn how to properly shuck oysters so that you can enjoy them as fresh as possible. Shucking oysters refers to the process of separating the outer shells from the main meat of the oyster so that it can easily be sucked in and eaten – which is the typical way to eat oysters.
To ensure that the shucking process is indeed successful, you must first take care that the oysters are properly stored. The most appropriate approach to storing oysters is to keep them in a cold environment which keeps them alive and ensures that they do not suffocate. It is also advisable to choose and purchase oysters that are as fresh as possible which might require you to purchase your oysters the day you plan to shuck them.
To shuck your oysters, you need to be sure to use an appropriate device that will allow you to gain access to the inner part of the shell. You can choose to use a knife, a spoon, or any other object that has a thin edge. The thin edge is important since it will allow you to insert the tool inside the shell and pop it open. Here are a few steps that you should follow when shucking oysters with a sharp-edged object such as a knife.
Insert your Knife in the Hinge area
The most appropriate manner of shucking oysters is inserting your knife between the shells. The knife that you use for shucking oysters must be as clean as possible. Since oysters are eaten raw, any organisms that get into the food will not be killed through cooking. To insert your knife most efficiently, you should place the oyster on a flat surface such as on top of a table. Once you have the oyster properly placed, you can easily insert your knife and expose the boundary of the two shells.
Pop the Knife
Once the knife is properly inserted into the shell, you will then be required to pop the hinge of the oyster shell. Popping the hinge will require you to apply a considerable amount of force to ensure that you can separate both the upper and lower shells. Once the two shells have been separated, you can easily see the inner lining that separates the two oyster shells.
Insert the Knife between the Shells
It is important that you separate the two shells that make up the oyster. Inserting a knife or any other sharp object for that matter between the two oyster shells will enable you to separate the two shells that make up the oyster. The ultimate process of shucking oysters also entails getting access to the oyster itself and the delicious meat that is found within the two shells.
Now that you have managed to separate the two shells, it should now be possible to remove the fluid that is contained inside. Since the shells surround the oyster meat, they have to be removed so that you can have access to the meaty part of the oyster. The best approach is to use a shucking knife that is specifically designed to make it easy for you to separate the meat from the shells.
Serving the Oysters
One of the most important things you should remember is that oysters should be served when they are still very fresh. This will guarantee that the oysters are as tasty as possible. Also, be sure to serve the oysters as soon as you shuck them. In case this is not possible, you should place the oysters on ice so that they can remain fresh longer. You can also opt to serve the oysters with or without additional food items. Some lemon juice, Tabasco sauce and a myriad of other sauces are considered ideal accompaniments to oysters. The world is your oyster when it comes to accompaniments, so choose wisely and enjoy your fresh catch!
