Jersey Oysters

Oysters need to be grown in clean water so it is fortunate that Jersey was keeping its beaches and sea clean, long before most of the world considered environmental protection important. Jersey continues to work hard to maintain a clean fisheries environment. In 1997 Jersey became the first island to gain Green Globe status. Having such a clean natural environment makes Jersey the perfect place to produce stunning natural sea food.  Jersey oysters are almost all grown in the Royal Bay of Grouville.

Fresh Oysters in the Fish Market

The waters surrounding Jersey and the Channel Islands are warmed by the Gulf stream.This helps produce a bounty of fresh seafood including our famous Chancre Crabs, Spider Crabs, Sole, Plaice and lobsters. Jersey produces 200 tonnes of oysters a year most atoledo.com of which are exported to France.

Oysters being prepared

Oysters are an excellent source of minerals and have high concentrations of zinc, selenium and iron. Oysters are also an excellent source of Vitamin B12. Oysters are traditionally eaten raw on the half shell and are an aphrodisiac they contain amino acids that increase the level of sex hormones. This makes Oysters very sexy food and you just have to share a Fruit de Mere with including oysters with a friend during your stay in the Channel Islands.

Fresh Oysters ready to eat

Oysters can be stored for up to two weeks but taste best eaten fresh. They should be refrigerated, not frozen and must be eaten alive, or cooked alive. If an oyster shell is open, the oyster is dead, and cannot be eaten safely. When cooked, an oyster that was alive opens up its shell, if the shell does not open upon cooking, the oyster was dead before being cooked and should not be eaten.

An Oyster Knife

Oysters are usually eaten raw on the half shell but they can be eaten smoked, stewed, canned, pickled, boiled, roasted, baked, fried, steamed, broiled or used in drinks. They may be an acquired taste but there is nothing else that has the taste and texture of a fresh oyster.