Oysters: The Food of Love

With Valentines Day just around the corner, what better way than enjoy this day with your sweetie over a glass of wine and the food of love: oysters?

You curiously ask, “Why are oysters the food of love?” Well, let me tell you. Oysters, along with pine nuts, bananas top the list of aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiac foods are derived from Greek mythology, where it was believed that certain foods symbolic of the female and male anatomy stimulated and aroused the opposite sex. The oyster is said to resemble the female anatomy. Scientifically, consumption of oysters show increased levels of estrogen and testosterone, though the exact amount consumed to excite the opposite sex is still under study.

Probing to learn more, you ask again, “What else should I know about oysters?” There are two types of oysters – saltwater and freshwater oysters. The most consumed in the world are the Pacific and Eastern oyster, grown primarily in the north and west coasts, as their name suggests. In China, oyster estuaries and cultivation occurs primarily in Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Liaoning, and Shandong. In Shanghai, a majority of oysters consumed in Shanghai are imported from Italy and Germany. In earlier times when cultivation methods were less advanced, it was believed that oysters should not be consumed in months ending with “r,” since these warm months are when oysters spawn, thus effecting its freshness. But with advancements in cultivation techniques the oyster is a perennial food that could be eaten year-round, which means you can enjoy oysters regardless of if you are in a relationship or if it is a special occasion.

Enough talk about oysters: “How and where are oysters best eaten in Shanghai?” For a quick oyster fix, head out to Nanjing South Road by Shimen Yi Road to get your hands on plump grilled oysters for RMB5 each. I like my oysters raw. For raw oysters, head out to 海之幸 on 222 Huaihai Road. Happy eating!