Five Facts About Oysters

Rebecca Varidel
5th Aug 2015

"An oyster, that marvel of delicacy, that concentration of sapid excellence, that mouthful before all other mouthfuls, who first had faith to believe it, and courage to execute? The exterior is not pervasive." Henry Ward Beecher

It seems these days there is a day for everything. And apparently today is National Oyster Day. Well that's one day we'll be sure to celebrate.

Oyster Facts

1. Oyster is the common name for saltwater bivalve mollusc and can be found clinging to shipwrecks, harbour walls, and yes... oyster leases. In Australia, oyster growers farm mostly in South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Queensland.

2. Sydney Rock Oysters and Angasi (flat) oysters are native to Australia and shells have been found in ancient Aboriginal middens.

3. Don't get it wrong. There's an adage about not eating oysters that don’t have 'r' (think May, June, July and August) in the month but that applies to the northern hemisphere summer, not down under. The main reason that this saying came about is that it’s harder to keep oysters cold and fresh in the summer heat. The other reason was because in the summer months oysters spawn. Fact or fiction? Breeding, farming, growing oysters has changed. We think oysters are fabulous anytime of year.

4. Oyster are the stuff of legends, with 18th century lover Casanova reputedly eating 50 every day for breakfast. More recently it has been proven that oysters really are aphrodisiacs, with rare amino acids that trigger increased levels of sex hormones.

5. According to National Geographic an oyster (in captivity) can live up to 20 years.

Oyster Festival

During August, Sydney is celebrating not just one day for oysters, but celebrating oysters all month with The Morrison Oyster Festival.

The Morrison Bar and Oyster Room makes oysters a focus all year round, showcasing seasonal varieties in their shucked-to-order oyster menu. But nothing beats a whole month of oyster madness, and The Morrison Oyster Festival is designed to take the oyster offering into overdrive, giving oyster novices through to the oyster aficionado an opportunity to celebrate these delectable little treats.

From the legendary daily $1 oyster hour, a whisky and oyster tasting extravaganza, and some great oyster nosh, there’s no better excuse to get out of your shell and join the festivities.

Shall we say it again...

Just in case you missed that...

Every day in August The Morrison famous Oyster Hour is going large with delicious oysters every day during August for only $1 each between 6pm and 7pm!

What better way to finish your day than to spoil yourself with a wine and oyster flight.

Designed for you to enjoy at your leisure; pop in with friends, family or colleagues and make the most of this August special.

$30 for three 70ml glasses of wine and three matched oysters.

Oysters match well with Champagne or beer, but the best news yet is that they also match fabulously with whisky. We love them natural (raw) but try a couple of drops of whisky on your next Sydney Rock, especially with peated smoke such as Talisker Storm. It is a miracle!

themorrison.com.au/OYSTERFESTIVAL

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225 George Street
Sydney
+61 2 9247 6744

Mon – Fri 7.30am – late

Sat 11.30am – late

Sun 11.30am – midnight

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