Everyone knows New England is famous for its lobster, clams and oysters. All are delicious of course, but it’s oysters that get top billing on Valentine’s Day, which is right around the corner. Everywhere I turn, there is another Oyster bar popping up, products that include oysters, recipes for oysters and more… At Piper and Dune we even sell the Oyster Lady’s skincare products which she founded on her oyster farm in Maine. The big draw however are oysters sensual qualities- that’s what gets people talking. Oysters are extremely rich in zinc which is essential for testosterone production and maintenance of healthy sperm in men. They can also boost our production of dopamine, a hormone that increases libido in both men and women. So now that we know those salty, slippery, meaty little oyster morsels are packed with healthy nutrients, it’s time to get shopping!
Once you have your fresh oysters, here’s how to shuck them:
- - Clean oysters vigorously under cold water with a scrub brush.
- - Grasp an oyster in the towel (unless you have our oyster block that holds the oyster for you), with the flat-side up and the hinge (where the shells meet) exposed.
- - Poke the oyster knife into the hinge.
- - Twist the knife back and forth—like turning a key in a lock—until the top (flat) shell pops open.
Serve the oysters on a bed of ice with some lemons and your favorite dipping sauce. When I think of oysters, I think of pairing them with wine, so I reached out to my brother Paul who sells wine for a recommendation. Paul recommends you grab a bottle of Muscadet wine to go with your oysters (he said this is a “no brainer” - an obvious choice to connoisseurs). For those unfamiliar with the wine, it is a French white wine that is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, (melon) in the western end of the Loire Valley, near the city of Nantes in the Pays de la Loire region. This light white wine is the perfect pairing for your oysters.
No matter what oysters you plan to try, Piper and Dune has some great oyster baking and serving dishes for your next happening.
Enjoy!
Chris and the Piper and Dune Family
P.S. Here’s a Fun New England Fact:
Did you know that it is from what is now Connecticut’s shoreline that paved the streets of many a fledgling colony in the U.S.? If you know of a Pearl Street in your hometown if may well have been paved with oyster shells which sparkled like pearls in the sun.
P.S.S. If you aren’t following us on Instagram and Facebook, please “like” us. We are currently running a huge FLASH Winter Sale on ALL Leather goods. Search “leather” to find eligible products. The 25% discount is automatically applied at checkout. Good through Sunday January 26 only!
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