Get slurping on August 5th with National Oyster Day! Oysters are enjoyed as a seafood in many parts of the world.

Did you know there are over 100 different species of oysters?  Interestingly, oysters tend to take on the characteristics of the water in which they live. Because of this, they’re typically named after the body of water in which they grow.

While many people enjoy fresh oysters raw, the shellfish can also be savored in multiple other ways. As a side dish, oysters add immense flavor to Thanksgiving dressing. They also make delicious stews, soups, and chowders. Other recipes will bake, grill or broil the oysters with or without the shell.

These mollusks provide valuable nutrients whether eaten cooked or raw. Since oysters supply a high amount of vitamins B12 and A, they may benefit heart, skin, and brain health. These vitamins also support lung and kidney function. Additionally, oysters benefit the environment since their valves are capable of cleansing an ecosystem of pollutants.

Here are some other exciting oyster facts:

• The Chesapeake Bay produces more oysters in the world than any other body of water. 
• The world loves oysters! We consume almost two billion pounds of oysters each year around the world.
• Illustrating how the body of water influences the flavor of the oysters, the east and west coast U.S. oysters taste very different from each other. On the east coast, oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. However, west coast oysters take on a creamy texture and a sweet flavor.  
• Only one out of every 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALOYSTERDAY

Make or order a dish that uses oyster as one of its main ingredients. You can celebrate in other ways, too.

• Read up on oysters. We suggest The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Texture by Rowan Jacobsen or Appreciating Oysters: An Eater’s Guide to Craft Oysters from Tide to Table by Dana Deskiewicz.
• Watch the documentary The Oyster Divers by Erin DeJesus.
• Explore the world of cooking with oysters.

Want more seafood delicacies try some of these…National Seafood Month, National Fried Scallops Day, National Shrimp Day, National Baked Scallops Day, National Crab Meat Day, Clams on the Half Shell Day, National Shrimp Scampi Day, National Lobster Day, National Go Fishing Day, National Catfish Day, National Catfish Month, National Caviar Day, French Fried Shrimp  Day,  National Oyster Day, Oysters Rockefeller Day,  National Seafood Bisque Day, Lobster Newburgh Day, National Deep Fried Clams Day, Crab Stuffed Flounder Day, National Sardines Day

Use #NationalOysterDay to post on social media.