Oysters

To describe the oyster as a saltwater shellfish or a marine mollusc does not quite convey the glamorous aura which surrounds the oyster. Oysters rather conjure up images of beautiful, rugged coastlines, expensive and romantic dinners and chilled bottles of white wine!

The love and oysters thing probably all started with the Ancient Greeks. Aphrodite rose up from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros, hence the association of words like erotic and aphrodisiac with the oyster. In the 1st century no Roman orgy was complete without huge platters of oysters. Slaves were even sent to England’s south coast to collect the precious food which was packed in seaweed and ice and carried back to Rome.

The tradition that this delicious and nutritious food can only be eaten when there is an ‘R’ in the month only applies to the native European “flat” oyster which breeds in the summer months, thus harvesting is illegal then for conservation reasons. The larger Pacific or “cupped” oyster does not breed in colder waters and can be enjoyed all year round. Raw or cooked, wherever and whenever – enjoy oysters!

Such a glamorous food deserves to be eaten in the best surroundings. The Uber team has tracked down fine furniture for your dining room or garden.