Not all individual oysters produce pearls naturally. In fact, in a harvest of two and a half tons of oysters, only three to four oysters produce what commercial buyers consider to be absolute perfect pearls. In nature, pearl oysters produce pearls by covering a minute invasive object with nacre. Over the years, the irritating object is covered with enough layers of nacre to become a pearl. The many different types, colours and shapes of pearls depend on the natural pigment of the nacre, and the shape of the original irritant. When it comes to waterfront dining, few spots rival Bartletts Fish Camp in Michigan City. Oyster is the common name for a number of different families of saltwater bivalve molluscs that live in marine or brackish habitats. In some species the valves are. Pinctada is a genus of saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Pteriidae, the pearl oysters. These oysters have a strong inner shell layer composed. Episode OyOysters in NYC Mousse Mishap in Jericho NY For the oysters Melt butter in a skillet. Saute the garlic for 2 minutes to infuse the butter. Place the. Pearl farmers can culture a pearl by placing a nucleus, usually a piece of polished mussel shell, inside the oyster. In three to seven years, the oyster can produce a perfect pearl. These pearls are not as valuable as natural pearls, but look exactly the same. In fact, since the beginning of the 2. Other types of oysterseditA number of bivalve molluscs other than true oysters and pearl oysters also have common names that include the word oyster, usually because they either taste like or look somewhat like true oysters, or because they yield noticeable pearls. Examples include In the Philippines, a local thorny oyster species known as Tikod Amo is a favorite seafood source in the southern part of the country. Because of its good flavor, it commands high prices. AnatomyeditOysters are filter feeders, drawing water in over their gills through the beating of cilia. Suspended plankton and particles are trapped in the mucus of a gill, and from there are transported to the mouth, where they are eaten, digested, and expelled as feces or pseudofeces. Oysters feed most actively at temperatures above 1. C 5. 0 F. An oyster can filter up to 5 L 1. US gal of water per hour. The Chesapeake Bays once flourishing oyster population historically filtered excess nutrients from the estuarys entire water volume every three to four days. Today, that would take nearly a year. Excess sediment, nutrients, and algae can result in the eutrophication of a body of water. Oyster filtration can mitigate these pollutants. In addition to their gills, oysters can also exchange gases across their mantles, which are lined with many small, thin walled blood vessels. A small, three chambered heart, lying under the adductor muscle, pumps colorless blood to all parts of the body. At the same time, two kidneys, located on the underside of the muscle, remove waste products from the blood. Their nervous system includes two pairs of nerve cords and three pairs of ganglia. While some oysters have two sexes European oyster and Olympia oyster, their reproductive organs contain both eggs and sperm. Because of this, it is technically possible for an oyster to fertilize its own eggs. The gonads surround the digestive organs, and are made up of sex cells, branching tubules, and connective tissue. Once the female is fertilized, she discharges millions of eggs into the water. The larvae develop in about six hours and exist suspended in the water column as veliger larvae for two to three weeks before settling on a bed and maturing to sexual adulthood within a year. Habitat and behavioureditA group of oysters is commonly called a bed or oyster reef. As a keystone species, oysters provide habitat for many marine species. Crassostrea and Saccostrea live mainly in the intertidal zone, while Ostrea is subtidal. The hard surfaces of oyster shells and the nooks between the shells provide places where a host of small animals can live. Hundreds of animals, such as sea anemones, barnacles, and hooked mussels, inhabit oyster reefs. Many of these animals are prey to larger animals, including fish, such as striped bass, black drum and croakers. An oyster reef can increase the surface area of a flat bottom 5. An oysters mature shape often depends on the type of bottom to which it is originally attached, but it always orients itself with its outer, flared shell tilted upward. One valve is cupped and the other is flat. Oysters usually reach maturity in one year. They are protandric during their first year, they spawn as males by releasing sperm into the water. As they grow over the next two or three years and develop greater energy reserves, they spawn as females by releasing eggs. Bay oysters usually spawn from the end of June until mid August. An increase in water temperature prompts a few oysters to spawn. This triggers spawning in the rest, clouding the water with millions of eggs and sperm. A single female oyster can produce up to 1. The eggs become fertilized in the water and develop into larvae, which eventually find suitable sites, such as another oysters shell, on which to settle. Attached oyster larvae are called spat. Spat are oysters less than 2. Many species of bivalves, oysters included, seem to be stimulated to settle near adult conspecifics. Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas equipped with activity electrodes to follow their daily behavior 2. Oysters are considered to filter large amounts of water to feed and breathe exchange O2 and CO2 with water but they are not permanently open. They regularly shut their valves to enter a resting state, even when they are permanently submersed. In fact their behavior follows very strict circatidal and circadian rhythms according to the relative moon and sun positions. During neap tides, they exhibit much longer closing periods than during the spring tide8The website Mollu. SCAN eye is largely devoted to the online study of their daily valve behavior in Europe France. Some tropical oysters, such as the mangrove oyster in the family Ostreidae, grow best on mangrove roots. Low tide can expose them, making them easy to collect. In Trinidad in the West Indies, tourists are often astounded when they are told, in the Caribbean, oysters grow on trees. The largest oyster producing body of water in the United States is Chesapeake Bay, although these beds have decreased in number due to overfishing and pollution. Willapa Bay in Washington produces more oysters than any other estuary in the US. Other large oyster farming areas in the US include the bays and estuaries along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico from Apalachicola, Florida in the east to Galveston, Texas in the west. Large beds of edible oysters are also found in Japan and Australia. In 2. 00. 5, China accounted for 8. Charleston Oyster Bars 1. Best Restaurants Reviews. As soon as you arrive in Charleston, South Carolina, you know youre in a special placeunique with its own southern graces and coastal charms. And if youre an oyster lover, youll feel nearly spoiled after a meal at any Charleston seafood restaurant or oyster bar. In the South Carolina lowcountry, oyster bar dining comes standard with incredible sunset and ocean views, shady courtyard seating, and local live music. Oyster lovers know there are two ways to indulge in the finest of seafood establishments, where the oyster is revered, or in a place as casual as they come, where youre more likely to find oysters fried than on the half shell. For the ultimate in oyster fine dining, look no further than The Ordinary, a classic raw bar and restaurant housed in a historic bank building on Upper King. Just a few blocks away, theres COAST, another oyster hotspot with top notch service, and in the other direction, Leons, an oyster establishment known just as well for its fried chicken. Raw, on East Bay, offers an elegant option for an intimate oyster date, alongside a wide variety of raw bar temptations. The more casual oyster and seafood crowd will enjoy Bowens Island Restaurant, a locals haven occupying its own island just south of Charleston. Snag a view with your oysters from the deck of Fleet Landing downtown, or slurp down an oyster shootera local specialtyat Pearlz Oyster Bar. Wherever you choose, settle in for a uniquely Charleston oyster experience. One of two Noisy Oyster locations in the area the other is in North Charleston, this family friendly seafood restaurant may not be a traditional oyster bar, but it does serve up oysters in all their forms. Get your mouth watering with a look at the menu preparations Buffalo Fried Oysters, Oysters Rockefeller, Fried Gulf Oysters with chili cocktail sauce, and, of course, steamed or raw on the half shell. Cant decide how youd like your oysters tonight Try the Noisy Oyster Sampler plate for three Buffalo fried and three Rockefeller. Of course, theres more at the raw bar here than just the restaurants namesake, including littleneck clams and peel and eat shrimp. One of two Noisy Oyster locations in the area the other is in North Charleston, this family friendly seafood restaurant may not be a traditional oyster bar, but it does serve up oysters in all their forms. Get your mouth watering with a look. Read More. Its no surprise that many first time visitors to Charleston want to make a beeline for the nearest restaurant with water views. Something about eating seafood adjacent to its natural habitat gets our appetites going. Thankfully, Fleet Landing delivers, with a wide open deck space, killer views of the marsh and harbor, and an awesome selection of fried, grilled, and raw seafood. Oyster lovers can choose from Fried Oysters with Southern Comfort BBQ Sauce, Chilled Oysters on the Half Shell, Fried Oyster platters, or a Fried Oyster Spinach Salad. Any way you choose to consume them, Fleet Landings oysters will not disappoint. Its no surprise that many first time visitors to Charleston want to make a beeline for the nearest restaurant with water views. Something about eating seafood adjacent to its natural habitat gets our appetites going. Thankfully, Fleet Landing. Read More. Just around the block from the Charleston City Market, Amen Street Fish and Raw bar is ideally located for groups and families in search of oysters after a long day of city explorations. Amen Street is nearly always buzzing with new and regular customers, drawn to the large variety and freshness of the menu. Oyster fans will revel in the variety and preparation choices offered at Amen Street, with over 2. For something different, try your oysters baked and stuffed with spinach, fried on a kale salad. Picky seafood eaters in your partyThere are plenty of options for lunch and dinner at Amen Street that cater to less adventurous menu choices. Just around the block from the Charleston City Market, Amen Street Fish and Raw bar is ideally located for groups and families in search of oysters after a long day of city explorations. Amen Street is nearly always buzzing with new and regular. Read More. Photo courtesy of Coast Bar Grill Three words Oyster Happy Hour. Thats right, COAST is the home of an all oyster happy hour from 5 3. How To Wrap Bread on this page. Thursday, when you can get a half dozen oysters for just 7 COAST is an ideal seafood and oyster choice on any day of the week, with oysters offered Rockefeller, on the half shell, raw, steamed, cocktail or Mignonette. For those who prefer their bivalves fried, COAST offers creole fried oysters, or plain fried oysters with bacon and blue cheese french fries. Theres so much more than oysters on this COAST, though. Add an order of Crab Encrusted Tilapia, Ceviche, or Salt Pepper Calamari to your meal for a complete seafood experience. Three words Oyster Happy Hour. Thats right, COAST is the home of an all oyster happy hour from 5 3. Thursday, when you can get a half dozen oysters for just 7 COAST is an ideal seafood and oyster choice on any day of the. Read More. A longtime favorite of both locals and visitors alike, Pearlz Oyster and Raw bar offers a well rounded oyster experience to all bivalve lovers. With two Charleston locations East Bay Street downtown and Magnolia Road in West Ashley, Pearlz offers a wide variety of local and exotic oysters. Pearlz is known for their oyster shooters, a liquor shot consisting of pepper vodka, an oyster, and cocktail sauce a popular item thats equal parts appetizer and cocktail. Oysters are served on the half shell, steamed, or southern fried with bleu cheese and buffalo sauce. For others seeking something other than oysters, the Pearlz menu includes peel and eat shrimp, crab cakes, calamari, tuna tacos, and lobster rolls. A longtime favorite of both locals and visitors alike, Pearlz Oyster and Raw bar offers a well rounded oyster experience to all bivalve lovers. With two Charleston locations East Bay Street downtown and Magnolia Road in West Ashley, Pearlz. Read More. Local Heart and Soul in Charlestons Best Southern Restaurants. View This List. Loved by Locals Charlestons Best Value Restaurants. View This List. Tucked away on quiet Hayne Street near the Charleston City Market, Hanks often surprises first time guests. The restaurant, with its understated outside appearance and time worn painted lettering, is elegant inside. Though Hanks offers a fine dining type of atmosphere and service, the menu and staff remain very approachable and friendly. Hanks makes an excellent choice for groups or large families visiting Charleston in search of fresh oysters and other seafood. Oysters appear on the menu on the half shell from the raw bar, oysters casino with smoked bacon, fried with green tomato sweet corn, or as oyster stew. Hanks oysters also star in the Seafood Tower and Seafood Castle, Hanks specialty orders consisting of a massive, elegantly plated display of cooked and raw shellfish. Tucked away on quiet Hayne Street near the Charleston City Market, Hanks often surprises first time guests. The restaurant, with its understated outside appearance and time worn painted lettering, is elegant inside. Though Hanks offers a fine. Read More. Many a local will recommend Leons Oyster Shop for many a reason. As its name implies, Leons specializes in oysters, and the shellfish appear on the menu raw with saltines, char grilled, fried Rockefeller, and as oysters casino. Indeed, Leons does oysters a service in offering them with simple, pure preparations. But Leons has so much more in store than oysters. Settle in to a cozy indoor table or sidle up to the long bar space, and dig into your oysters, following them with a 2 piece, half, or whole fried chicken order. Theres fried fish, too. For a wholly sea sourced meal, opt for the Fry Up fried fish served alongside fried oysters or shrimp. What Is Oysters Rockefeller© 2017