How and where to store oysters correctly?

How and where to store oysters correctly?

If the oysters were bought alive and some of them died during storage, then they must be thrown away. Under no circumstances should you eat dead shellfish. Such a product is hazardous to health. The process of storing oysters involves a number of rules and nuances. Under the wrong conditions, the shellfish will quickly deteriorate.

The nuances of storing oysters at home:

  • oysters should only be stored in the refrigerator (if the mollusks are alive, then they should be regularly examined and the dead should be removed);
  • you can preserve the juiciness of oysters with the help of ice (you need to sprinkle the mollusks with ice cubes, you need to change the ice as it melts);
  • if oysters are stored using ice, then they must be placed in a colander so that the liquid flows into another container and does not accumulate;
  • ice helps to preserve the flavor characteristics of oysters, but does not extend their shelf life;
  • if oysters are stored in shells, then they should be placed in such a way that the mollusks “look up” (otherwise the juiciness of the oysters will decrease significantly);
  • when storing oysters in the refrigerator, it is recommended to use a damp towel (cover the oysters with a cloth soaked in water, it is important that the towel is damp, but not wet);
  • in the refrigerator, oysters should be placed as close as possible to the freezer (on the top shelf);
  • oysters can be frozen (it is recommended to first remove the clams from the shells);
  • defrosting oysters not at room temperature, but in the refrigerator (you should not use water, thawing should take place in a natural mode);
  • before freezing, the oyster must be poured with a small amount of water (it is recommended to freeze shellfish not in bags or cling film, but in containers that can be closed with a lid);
  • pasteurized or canned oysters are stored for the period indicated on containers or bags (it is important to continue the storage method, frozen shellfish should be placed in the freezer after purchase, canned – in the refrigerator, etc.);
  • the shelf life indicated on the packages of oysters is preserved only if the integrity of the package or container is preserved (after opening the package, the shelf life is reduced);
  • you cannot store live oysters in plastic or closed containers (from a lack of oxygen, the shellfish will suffocate and die);
  • for live oysters, frost and heat are deadly (they die in the freezer and at room temperature very quickly);
  • cooked oysters remain fresh for a maximum of 3 days (after this period, the shellfish meat becomes tough and resembles rubber).

If the oysters were purchased alive, but died during storage, then they should not be eaten. You can find out about the spoilage of mollusks by the open doors and the presence of an unpleasant odor.

How long and at what temperature to store oysters

Live oysters, sprinkled with ice, can be stored in the refrigerator for an average of 7 days. It is important to use additional products such as damp towels or ice. Otherwise, the oysters will remain fresh, but the juiciness of the meat will be disturbed. The shelf life of oysters in shells and without them does not differ. On average, it is 5-7 days, provided that the shellfish are placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator. The optimum storage temperature for oysters is from +1 to +4 degrees.

The shelf life of frozen oysters is 3-4 months. Repeated freezing is not allowed. Thawed oysters must be eaten. If they are frozen again, the consistency of their meat will change, the taste will be impaired, and their use in food can become hazardous to health.

Oysters in open jars or containers can be stored for an average of 2 days. If the package is not opened, then the freshness of the shellfish will remain until the date indicated by the manufacturer. If the oysters were purchased frozen, then after purchasing them, the mollusks must be placed in the freezer for further storage or thawed and eaten.

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