How to Buy and Serve Oysters

Oysters are well known as aphrodisiacs, and while there is some debate as to whether they'll really improve your performance, there's no denying that they are rich in zinc, and that they're a delicacy. Ideally, when you buy oysters, you should purchase them live, from a tank. These are usually farmed oysters, but they still taste great, and they're usually safe to eat – unlike wild oysters, which can harbor things like red tide. Alternatively, you could buy your oysters on the half shell, which cuts out the shucking process. Make sure that you buy your oysters from a reputable seafood store, and that they are refrigerated at all times. When you're ready to serve them, you'll need a sharp knife to shuck them – a process that invol ves slipping the knife between the shells, and twisting. Once shucked, serve your oysters on a bed of crushed ice, with traditional accompaniments like lemon juice, tobasco sauce, and black pepper.