Are Oysters Alive When You Eat Them?

Raw oysters are certainly a food like no other. They are housed in hard, rough shells yet very smooth when opened, served immediately after being cracked and have such a unique texture and taste. One part of that description is what we are going to talk about here- they are served immediately after they are opened. So….are they still alive when they are shucked to eat?

It’s Alive!

Yes! Oysters are still alive as you eat them! In fact, if you are going to eat an oyster raw, it has to be alive or else it will no longer be safe to eat. In the case of oysters, alive means fresh! Trust us, you only want to be eating oysters that are alive.

But What If It’s Not…

Oysters taste the best when they are eaten immediately after being shucked, this we know. Fresh and full of flavor is what we all want! In the case of oysters, fresh translates to mean still alive. An oyster that has been sitting around open will not have that amazing taste you are looking for as the oyster begins to deteriorate once it has been shucked. So skip the pre shucked oyster and go right for the prize- a brand new, straight from the ocean, still alive oyster!

Cooked Oysters

Of course, if you cook an oyster, it is no longer alive and they can be tasty to eat this way. There are many ways to cook oysters into delicious treats such as garlic oyster linguini, fried oysters, or oysters Rockefeller. However, we still prefer the full flavor of a nice fresh oyster- nothing beats that taste!
So to once again answer the question, yes, oysters are alive when eaten immediately after being shucked. And the truth is, we wouldn’t have it any other way! The amazing flavors of raw oysters and the overall experience of eating raw oysters is something that you must try.