It is the favorite shellfish of the French, who consume nearly 5 kilos per year per person. To better appreciate them, here are some unusual (or not so) things to know about oysters in general, and those of the Marennes Oléron basin especially !
What is the secret of the Oléron oyster?
The Marennes-Oléron basin is the leading oyster production area in France. Between 45,000 and 60,000 tonnes of oysters are sold each year, or nearly half of the oysters sold in France! After growing in the parks, the oysters Marennes Oleron have the particularity of being refined into “claires”, a unique practice in the world specific to the Bassin de Marennes Oleron ! The claires are small clay basins where the oysters spend at least 28 days. This is how the oyster Marennes Oleron acquires this unique local taste, neither too salty nor too sweet. Refining in claires is one of the quality criteria that allowed our oysters to obtain two Label Rouges in 1989 and 1999, as well as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) in 2009.
Why are Marennes Oléron oysters green?
Don't think they're good to throw away or not ripe enough to eat! The oyster of Marennes Oleron owes its characteristic emerald color to a microalgae: the blue navicula. This microscopic algae produces a blue-green pigment, called "marennine," which is responsible for the coloring of oysters. Although highly sought after by connoisseurs, the greening is a random and very ephemeral phenomenon.
What's in an oyster?
Only good things! Excellent for your health, oysters are rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins. Their high omega-3 content gives them protective effects on the cardiovascular system. And contrary to popular belief, oysters contain little cholesterol (between 35 and 50 mg per 100 g). Another advantage: their low calorie content! A dozen oysters is equivalent to only 100 kcal.
On Christmas Eve, he discovered a pearl in an Oléron oyster.
“When tasting his oysters from Oleron Island, on Christmas Eve, a resident of Pontarlier (Doubs) had the pleasant surprise of discovering... a pearl! " This is the incredible story relayed by the daily newspaper l'East Republican not long ago. One more reason to prefer oysters from Marennes Oleron !
There are a thousand ways to enjoy a Marennes Oléron oyster!
They can also be eaten hot! Burger style Marennes Oleron, Oysters au gratin with champagne sabayon, Oyster ravioli on butternut coulis… oysters can be enjoyed in all sauces, all flavors. On the Oysters of website Marennes Oleron, we find dozens of chef's recipes easy to reproduce at home. Enough to make even the most reluctant oyster lovers love oysters!
To learn even more exciting things about oysters, take advantage of your stay in camping on the island of Oléron to stroll along the “oyster route” between Boyardville and the Castle of Oléron. To visit:
- THE Fort-Royer site, south of Boyarville: a century-old oyster-farming village with its colorful wooden huts, guided tour of the refining oyster beds, discovery workshops and oyster tasting.
- there Oyster City, in Marennes: a fun and educational discovery trail around three oyster farms, guided tours of the oyster parks, exhibitions, activities for children, culinary discoveries, etc.