On the N2 between Sedgefield and Wilderness is “Oysters R Us”. While on holiday in Knysna this past week, I looked for the most unique things to do. I came across this giant sign “Oysters R Us” and being a liker of things and a lover of seafood, had to enter this place. A quick drive up a dusty road led us to this barn-like area with a playground and a place for us to sit. A warm welcome from the team and they were quick to introduce us to the entire Oyster experience.

Here’s the way that people enjoy oysters around the world

Knowing the South African way, I started off trying different styles. I chose the Vietnamese, Japanese and French way and then I tried all the different South African ways.

My favourite was the Vietnamese way. Salty and Chilli!

This overall experience was amazing! Even if you do not like oysters, there’s a lot more you can try out. There’s the cheese and cracker platters, extensive wine collection (only dry and brut) to keep your tummy satisfied. Oysters R Us is really something you need to experience while in Knysna.

Where their oysters come from: Pacific Oysters

So, I just went onto their site and found these amazing facts! I’ve copy/pasted them below.

• Oysters are molluscs that are found mainly in the ocean.  There are over fifty species of oysters, of which some are edible.  Their shells are made of calcium, and this protects their soft bodies.
• Oysters have the ability to change their sex—they can change from male to female as they have gonads that generate eggs as well as sperm.  Oyster larvae (baby oysters) are called “spats”.
• Oysters have hearts that pump translucent blood as well as oxygen through their bodies.  They also have intestines, and their kidneys clean any impurities from their blood.
• Oysters breathe breath like fish as they have both gills and mantle.  As the water passes through them, oxygen is removed and carbon monoxide is disposed of.
• Oysters feed mainly on plankton and decayed plants, and can filter up to 120 litres of water per day.
• By eating four medium oysters per day, you will get the daily recommended allowance of calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorous and zinc.  Oysters are also rich in vitamin A, C, D , B-12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Oysters can be eaten in a variety of ways  –  raw, roasted, steamed, baked, boiled, braaied, poached or smoked.  The most common way in South Africa is raw with tabasco sauce, ground black pepper and fresh lemon.  People with low immune systems should not eat raw oysters as they do contain bacteria.
• Once the oysters are eaten, their shells can be finely crushed to provide extra calcium in feed for ostriches and certain other bird species.
• Pearls are formed when a foreign substance (like a grain of sand or piece of shell) gets trapped within the shell.  The oyster then covers the foreign matter with layers of calcium and protein, and with time, a pearl is created.