Once considered a pauper’s food, before being elevated to fine dining status, oysters are a much-loved delicacy for many. While they can be eaten cooked, oysters are most often served raw on the half-shell, ready to be sucked down whole in one gulp. It’s this method of eating oysters that puts many people off, along with the strong, salty flavor, texture that’s frequently described as slimy and risk of food poisoning should you encounter a bad one.

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