OysterLover

[kels]

On Saturday night I had half a dozen at a reputable restaurant down LL. Known for its continental cuisine and lovely covered patio garden.

Within an hour of eating I was heaving....until the wee hours. Not a Happy Camper....

[Jah Lush]

Never do oysters when there isn't an 'R' in the month.

[kels]

why is that Jah?

[Jah Lush]

It's out of season.

I once did oysters in their sister restaurant in June or July and was sick as a dog and on the crapper for 24 hours so I know exactly how you're feeling and you have my sympathy.

[Lawboy]

The native oyster is best during the winter, hence the instruction only to eat oysters when there is an R in month. The most famous are from Whitstable, Colchester and Helford, in season from September to April. Some say the R myth arose from an area where oysters spawn in the summer season, and when spawning they taste fatty, soft and inedible.

Pacific oysters are not as esteemed as natives but turning down a plate of spanking fresh Pacifics is simply misplaced snobbery. They are more elongated, with longer narrower shells, are raised in hatcheries such as the one at Butley and, thank goodness, are in season all year.

[Ladygooner]

Same applies to moules. Seafood poisoning is the worst - I really feel for you. I once had bad scallops and my system was poisoned for a week.

[peckhamboy]

It's also because there are more bacteria in the water during the summer months, so there's a higher risk of getting food poisoning from a summer oyster - it's not necessarily a reflection on the restaurant if you get ill from eating them, although if they're not very fresh or not kept properly refrigerated, obviously the bacteria can multiply through that as well.

[kels]

Thanks for the info and sympathy everyone. I think that's it for oysters, for me.