An Oyster Life (Blog) — Tips

It’s the prime oyster season for many people. With holiday parties, celebrations, traditions, festive dinners, and more- we’re sending out oysters as fast as we can get them out of the water. It’s also a time of year when we tend to receive many questions about how to store oysters before your big event safely. Follow the tips below to maximize your oyster storage time and serve fresh, delicious oysters.   Get them on ice! - Your White Stone Oysters are delivered in a disposable cooler packed with several ice packs. They should arrive cold and fresh- but it’s important to...

Everyone has that one family member. The one that wears their waders to formal events, keeps hot sauce in their glove box, and always has an oyster shucker in the back pocket. That’s right, it’s the family oyster lover. This holiday season, get the oyster lover in your family the best gift possible with one of our recommendations below. Join or Die Oyster Shucker There’s a reason these shuckers have become our favorites. This custom oyster shucker is made exclusively for WhiteStone by Virginia's Hand Crafted Knives. The handle is black walnut with an orange poly inlay. These oyster knives...

The perfect slurp starts with the perfect shuck. A quality oyster-shucking knife is a must-have if you're shucking raw oysters. Oyster shucking knives are specifically designed to open oyster shells while withstanding the pressure and twisting motion needed to get the job done. As well, oyster shucking knives are often designed with specific oyster types or regions in mind– over the course of history new oyster knife designs have sprung up to make shucking oysters from a specific region even easier. Knowing what kind of knife to use and having a quality one hand will make shucking your oysters easier....

Oysters are a great addition to almost any meal- or can be the star of the show as the main course. They’re packed with protein, zinc, and tons of other nutrients and are easy to prepare with hundreds of recipes available. But, how can you be sure your oysters are safe to eat? Follow this guide to tell if an oyster has gone bad easily. Start by checking the shell. If there are large cracks or broken or damaged areas, throw the oyster away. There should be no gaps within the shell. If the shell is also open, the oyster...

Shucking an oyster can seem super intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. With a little practice, pretty much anyone can become a pro oyster shucker. We spoke to some of our favorite professional oyster shuckers and gathered these tips to help get you shucking oysters like a pro. Before you get started on your shucking journey, it’s important to have the proper tools.  Shucking Knife- having a good shucking knife is the most critical part of shucking oysters like a pro. You need a shucking knife with a strong point and a comfortable handle that allows you to grip...

For those that are new to oysters, or simply don’t want to deal with shucking them, jarred oysters are the perfect option. Wandering Waders Premium Jarred Oysters come out of the container ready to eat for example, but are best when prepared as part of a cooked dish. Cooking jarred oysters is a great way to use a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Oysters are often jarred in their own juices or “liquor”. While some companies recommend that you rinse your oysters before cooking with them, we think it’s better to keep them in their own liquor. The oyster’s liquor...

There’s almost nothing better than digging into a raw seafood bar or buffet. But, while everyone loves slurping down a fresh delicious oyster, no one wants to be the unlucky person that gets a bad oyster. This helpful guide will give you the know-how needed to shop for raw oysters and know what to avoid. Know Your Farm The first step to getting a good oyster is to buy from a farm your trust. Oysters are extremely perishable and how they are shipped can greatly affect the quality. As well, you want oysters that are grown in healthy waters by...

With Fall right around the corner, we’re starting to get excited for one of our favorite things in the world– oyster festivals! If you’re new to the oyster festival world, or just want to bone up on your essentials list because you haven’t been in a while, this is the article for you. We’ll outline some of our favorite must-haves to get through your first oyster festival with a full stomach and a good mood. With dozens of oyster festivals around our area, there’s no reason not to get to as many as you can to sample all of the...