Oysters, as will likely be noticed, include solely a small amount of fats, and because of this their whole meals worth is considerably decrease than that of milk. A pint of milk has a price of 325 energy, whereas an identical quantity of oysters has an approximate worth of solely 250 energy. Due to the distinction in the price of these two meals, oysters costing a number of occasions as a lot as milk, the usage of oysters is just not so low cost a manner of supplying meals materials.

DIGESTIBILITY OF OYSTERS.–When merely the flexibility of the digestive tract to deal with oysters is considered, they’re mentioned to be simply digested if they’re served uncooked or are correctly ready. This is because of the truth that when taken as a meals they’re disposed of in a relatively brief time by the abdomen. As well as, their absorption from the alimentary tract is sort of full; that’s, they include little or no waste materials. However, simply as cooking has a lot to do with the digestibility of different protein meals, so it has with oysters. Because of this, the housewife who needs to feed her household this meals in its most digestible type should totally perceive all phases of its cooking.

HEALTHFULNESS OF OYSTERS.–A lot sickness has been attributed to oysters, and doubtless they’ve been the reason for some typhoid and a few ptomaine poisoning. A data of the explanation for these ailments has achieved a lot to remove them. It’s now undoubtedly identified that a lot of the typhoid precipitated from consuming oysters was because of the circumstances underneath which they have been grown. Of their development, oysters fasten themselves to stationary issues, corresponding to rocks or piles pushed into the bottom beneath the water, and so they receive their meals by merely opening the shell and making use of minute particles of plant and animal life that they’re able to extract from the water. When the water was not clear or when sewage was changed into it, typhoid germs have been transmitted to individuals who took oysters as meals. At current, there may be scarcely any hazard from such causes, for extra care is now given to the circumstances underneath which oysters develop. Ptomaine poisoning from oysters was brought on by consuming them after they had been improperly cared for in storage or had been taken from the shells after they have been lifeless. Except individuals dealing with oysters know learn how to care for them, this hazard remains to be more likely to exist.

PURCHASING OYSTERS.–To have the ability to buy oysters intelligently, the housewife ought to be conversant in the names of the varied sorts. These names are depending on the locality from which the oysters come, and embrace Blue Factors, Cape Cods, Cotuits, Lynn Havens, and quite a few different varieties. It ought to be remembered that the varieties raised in several localities are fairly distinctive, differing to some extent in each dimension and look. Except the purchaser is conversant in the totally different varieties, virtually any of the small oysters are more likely to be bought to her for one of many small varieties and, likewise, any of the massive oysters for one of many massive varieties. Whereas that is of small consequence, offered the standard is passable and the worth is correct, it’s effectively for each housewife to familiarize herself with the names of the varied sorts, in order that she could know simply what selection she is buying.

When oysters are purchased within the shell, they need to be alive, a truth that may be decided by the tightly closed shell, as has already been acknowledged. If the shells are usually not closed or could be simply pried aside, it could be identified that the oysters are usually not good and that they need to be rejected. When it’s doable to acquire them, oysters which were faraway from the shells instantly after being taken from the beds are preferable to these which haven’t been faraway from the shells earlier than delivery. When bought out of the shells, oysters ought to be grayish in coloration, shouldn’t have any unpleasant odor, and may include no extra water or liquid. After being bought, oysters ought to be saved on ice except they are often cooked without delay.

The season for oysters is from September to April, inclusive. Whereas in some localities they are often bought at different occasions in the course of the 12 months, they aren’t more likely to be so good. In actual fact, it isn’t secure to make use of oysters in the course of the heat months.