Storing your oysters

To appreciate the full flavour of Thornham Oysters you should eat them within three days of delivery, although if stored properly they will remain fresh for a week.

Keep them in your fridge covered with a damp cloth but do not allow them to freeze. The ideal temperature for storage is between 5° and 8° celsius. Don’t immerse them in water and don’t store them in an airtight container.

If any are slightly open, give them a smart tap and check that they close quickly. Any that don’t should be discarded.

How to open oysters

Step 1

Using a folded cloth, grip the oyster firmly, with the flat shell uppermost and the hinge showing. Insert the tip of the knife between the two shells close to the hinge. Push the knife in until it penetrates the shell and give it a twist to break the hinge.

For safety we recommend that you use the correct tool. We can supply a very reasonably priced oyster knife when you place an order for oysters.

Step 2

Separate the muscle from flat (top) shell, keeping the knife flat against the underside of the shell. You should now be able to remove the flat shell.

Step 3

Cut around the bottom of the oyster to separate it from the deep shell. For presentation turn it over in the shell.

That’s it - the oyster is ready to eat.