10 Surprising Facts About Oysters You Probably Didn’t Know

Oysters. They may not look like much at first, but they are so delicious that they are consumed to the tune of around 2 billion every year. This is due in part to the hundreds of oyster festivals and shucking contests that take place in countries all over the world. Whether you are just experiencing oysters for the first time, or you’re a seasoned connoisseur, there’s always something new to learn about this popular shellfish. To shed some light on these remarkable mollusks, we have put together 10 fascinating facts about oysters.

Oysters are Excellent at Cleaning Water

Oysters are simply astonishing when it comes to filtering water. Adults can filter the equivalent of a small bathtub of water every day! That’s about 1.5 gallons of water per hour. They accomplish this by using their gills (yes, gills) to “filter feed” on phytoplankton and small bits of algae in the water around them. A healthy one-acre reef of oysters can filter enough water to fill up around 36 Olympic swimming pools in a single day.

Not All Oysters Produce Pearls

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to find a pearl when you shuck your next oyster. Why? Because edible oysters are from the family Ostreidae and are most often found near the surface of the water, whereas pearl oysters are from the family pteriidae, and can be found deep in the ocean. On top of that, most jewelry-quality pearls are cultivated in those inedible oysters as well as clams and mussels.

Oysters are Often Compared to Wine

Like fine wine, oysters have many different flavor profiles. Though most American oysters are from the same species, their flavor (and their name) actually comes from their environment. This goes back to the amount of water they filter. There are varying levels of salt and kinds of nutrients in different bodies of water, meaning oysters from the Gulf Coast generally taste different than those from the Chesapeake Bay.

Oyster Shells Help Plants Grow

Don’t throw away those shells just yet! Your discarded oyster shells can be boiled, broken into small pieces, and placed in your garden or into your compost to help create nutrient rich soil. The high levels of calcium in the shells can create a balanced pH level which can lead to healthier produce and bigger, brighter flowers. However, the broken shells can be incredibly sharp, so be sure to place them somewhere that there is no chance of accidentally cutting yourself.

We’ve Been Eating Oysters for Thousands of Years

Today, around 2 billion oysters are eaten each year, but did you know that humans have been consuming the mollusk in vast quantities since the prehistoric period? In fact, oyster cultivation in Japan goes back to at least 2000 BC, whereas the first oysters to be raised in ponds were farmed by the Chinese. Even the Roman Empire feasted on oysters. Sergius Orata of the Roman Republic is believed to be the first major cultivator of oysters, building a complex system to control the tides.

Early New York was an Oyster Hub

Dutch immigrants arriving in Manhattan in the 17th century found an island surrounded by thriving oyster beds, which at the time contained an estimated half of the world’s oyster population. The Lenape and other native people of the area had been feasting on oysters and other shellfish for generations. So much so, it is said that there were giant piles of shells (and even pearls) lining the water ways. There’s archaeological evidence for this in the form of oyster “middens” located throughout the city.

Oysters Can Be Eaten Year Round

If you have enjoyed oysters before, you’ve probably heard the rule that you shouldn’t eat oysters in months that don’t have the letter “r” in their name. This “rule” began mostly because in the summer months (May, June, July, and August) it was harder to keep the oysters cold and fresh before the invention of refrigeration. Nowadays, due to the advances in technology and cultivation, oysters are able to be enjoyed safely throughout the year.

Oyster Reefs Serve Many Purposes

Not only do the reefs provide a habitat for other marine life, they also provide a natural alternative to man-made sea walls by helping to diffuse energy from storms and strong tides. This protects the coastline from erosion, flooding, and property damage while safeguarding estuary waters (where the tide meets the stream at the mouth of a large river) that act as breeding grounds for other types of marine life. Old oyster shells are now being collected and recycled into brand new reefs for the next generation of oysters.

Oysters are a Healthy Option

How many foods can you say are delicious and healthy? Surprisingly, oysters are nutritionally balanced and a great source of vitamins A and D, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. Eating just six of them more than meets the daily recommended intake of iron, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus for adults. If thoroughly cooked, they are safe to eat while pregnant and can even be given to your dog!

The Anatomy of an Oyster is Unique

Similar to amphibians and most reptiles, oysters have a three-chambered heart. But that’s not all. This heart pumps a colorless blood alternative, called hemolymph, to a pair of kidneys (also clear) to be purified. As mentioned before, oysters have gills that they use to breathe as well as feed on microorganisms floating through the water around them. Even the shaping of their shells is unique in that it is shaped by the bed they are growing in while in their reef.

Visit Hamp and Harry’s for the Best Oysters in Marietta 

Whether you’re looking for a fantastic new place to eat or craving some delicious seafood, look no further than Hamp and Harry’s, your local oyster bar. Our private fishmonger and on-site oyster shucker work together to provide fresh oysters for guests every day. This farm-to-table approach paired with our outdoor seating located on the historic Marietta square provides an atmosphere like no other for your one-of-a-kind dining experience. Be sure to check back often as our menu is ever-transforming to showcase our regularly updated entrées. Be sure to give us a call at 678-903-5131 to make a reservation today!