Oyster Day
When: Always on May 5th
Oyster Day is a pearl of a day.
Oysters are a shellfish, or "mollusks" found in both freshwater
and saltwater.
They often produce pearls, making Oyster Day a real gem. In the
ocean (or freshwater for some types), oysters they sift food from
the water around them.
In doing so, they sometimes pick up a piece of sand or grit.
If that piece of sand or grit gets lodged in the oyster's
system, the oyster reacts to the irritant by slowly secreting a
substance called "nacre" around the sand.
Ultimately, it develops into a pearl.
Do all oysters develop a pearl?
No, but wouldn't it be great to open one up to find a sparkling
pearl!? Oysters are a delicacy, enjoyed by many.
Some folk love oysters, especially the "upper crust".
Others find oysters to be an acquired taste.
Celebrate Oyster Day by eating oysters, Or, buy some pearls for
yourself or that special someone.
Did You Know? Seattle, Washington is the world's largest
producers of cultivated pearls.
They are known as the "Oyster Capital of the World".