Oyster Care

Q: How long will my oysters keep once they arrive?

A: Because our oysters are exposed to the air several times a month on low tides they develop strong (sweet) adductor muscles which become trained to hold their shells closed. It’s these strong muscles that make our oysters so easy to ship and store. We also try as hard as we can to get our oysters out the door as quickly as possible; generally that’s less than 24 hours from when they’re pulled out of the water. In the colder months when the oysters are dormant they will keep for two weeks if properly stored. During the summertime, they’ll keep for about a week.


Q: What is the best way to store my oysters?

A: Keep ‘em cool and dry! Yes, they’re used to being pampered and they’d probably love the guest room, but obviously the best place for your new friends is in the refrigerator. The best way to store them is in their bag, inside a bowl with a damp cloth over the top. But please: Do not store the oysters directly on or underneath ice. Oysters will die if they sit in fresh water. You can keep them on a tray of ice for an hour or so but avoid letting them sit in a puddle of fresh water.