RULES OF HANDLING LIVE SHELLFISH:
01
On the road, transport oysters on ice in a cooler or waterproof bag - do not seal the bag. Oysters love to be cold (34-45 degrees F), damp and able to breathe. Never submerge your oysters in fresh water or sea water.
02
At home, refrigerate. Place oysters, clams and mussels in a shallow bowl, the deep-cup side of the oyster facing down, and cover with a clean, wet kitchen towel. Or keep oysters in a cooler over ice and drain the cooler as the ice melts. Always keep your cooler as shaded as possible.
03
Eat 'em up fresh. For the freshest experience, we recommend eating shellfish within 1-2 days of purchase. They will remain fresh up to 4-5 days when carefully cared for, see instructions 2, above. Always discard any shellfish that does not close tight when tapped with a knife.
04
Discard any open bivalves. Bivalves open their shells slightly to breathe - this is normal and good health. Discard any oysters, clams or mussels whose shells are broken or do not close tight when tapped. Discard any clams or mussels that do not steam open.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Can I eat oysters in a month not ending in “R”?
Ah yes, the old “R Months” adage. First and foremost: Yes, you can eat Island Creek Oysters all year round. But, if you’re really curious, here’s where the adage comes from: The Rule: People have historically been told not to eat oysters during months that don’t have the letter “R” (May, June, July, August). Back in the day it was because there was a lack of refrigeration. I think we’re past that point now.
Q: How long do my oysters keep?
Your oysters keep in the refrigerator for 7-10 days! You can order a day or two early to make sure you have them in time for your gathering. They are totally fine hangin’ out in the cool air.
Q: How do I store my oysters?
When you receive your package, pull them out of the Styrofoam container (these guys need a little fresh air!). Grab a mixing bowl and throw the mesh bag in the bowl so that the oysters don’t leak all over your refrigerator. Grab a damp cloth and throw the cloth over the bowl. You are good to go for the next 5-7 days. Doesn’t hurt to dampen the cloth each day to keep them moist and chilled.
Q: Should I put the oysters on ice?
Only put the oysters on ice before service. The oysters will actually die in the melted fresh water so do not store the oysters on ice. They will not like this.
Q: How are my oysters packed?
The oysters are packed in a Styrofoam container with an outer cardboard shell. There are food-safe gel packs in the package to keep your goods cool through the transit process. We have a “Time Temperature Indicator” in the pack as well, to ensure that your oysters did not reach more than 45 degrees for more than 2 hours during your oysters’ trip.
Q: How are my oysters shipped?
At this time we are only offering delivery in bulk to wholesalers, restaurants and/or raw bars, and distributors. Please contact us for details.
Q: I have an issue with my order. What do I do?
We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee at Shelley Farms. We want you to be just as happy with your order as the amount of pride we have growing them. So, if something isn’t right or you have a question, give us a call or email us and we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.
Have more questions? Feel free to give us a call at 504-912-0466 or email brandimshelley@yahoo.com.
CONSUMER INFORMATION: There is risk associated with consuming raw oysters or any raw animal protein. If you have chronic illness of the liver, stomach or blood or have immune disorders, you are at greater risk of serious illness from raw oysters and should eat oysters fully cooked. If unsure of your risk, consult a physician.