Appreciating Oysters: An Eater's Guide to Craft Oysters from Tide to Table

by Dana Deskiewicz

The essential guide to America's booming craft oyster scene

Oysters are having a moment. Like craft beer before them, oysters are being discovered by discerning foodies who love that they're a tide-to-table, sustainable form of protein, and an adventurous food trend that's as Instagrammable as they come. 

Oyster expert and founder of the Oystour app Dana Deskiewicz takes readers of a salty ride through the current craft oyster scene. The 85 varieties profiled are lovingly raised on small farms along America's coasts, with names as memorable as their flavors—Murder Point, Choptank Sweets, Fat Dogs, Lady Chatterleys, and many more. 

Whether you seek they eye-opening brine explosion of an East coast Breachway, or the cucumber-and-melon delicacy of a West coast Church Point, Deskiewicz will guide you through the best bivalves North America has to offer. 

Genres: Food

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2018

Reviews

[Raihan Siam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book for anyone who wants to understand oysters beyond simply enjoying them at a restaurant. I appreciate the tide-to-table perspective because it connects food with its origins, production, and the experience of eating it. Oysters have a fascinating place in seafood culture, and learning more about their varieties, flavors, and preparation can make enjoying them even more rewarding. The focus on craft oysters also makes the subject especially appealing to readers who enjoy exploring specialty foods and developing their palate. I like books that provide a deeper appreciation of individual ingredients rather than treating them as just another item on a menu. This guide sounds like a thoughtful resource for curious food lovers, seafood enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about oysters. A distinctive addition to a culinary library and a great choice for readers who appreciate the story behind what they eat.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting a little more. The photos of the individual oysters were beautiful, but the other photos had a weird blurry/over-edited/low-res quality. Not quite sure what it was. Maybe it was just me. Also noticed a few minor discrepancies here and there.

[Chuck DiCecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great informative book on the basics of enjoying and history. If you are looking for a quick place to start with oysters, this book is it. The main chapters are a quick and informative read and you can then get lost reading about 80+ varieties, learning about names, taste, and locations.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read everything in this book, but if you are a big fan of oysters you might want to. It covers over 80 different kinds of oysters found in the US.

[Jason Mayeu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid guide of the most yummy of seafood.