oysters alive when eaten?

Hi, I've looked and looked and can't find any information as to whether
oysters are alive when they are eaten.

I know that if they die naturally their shells open up, but that doesn't
necessarily mean that when you pry their shells open they instantly die.
AFAIK it's just a muscle that hold it closed.

Does anybody know this information -- namely how long it takes them to die
after they've been shucked?

Thanks!

"Falky foo" wrote in message
...
Hi, I've looked and looked and can't find any information as to whether
oysters are alive when they are eaten.

I know that if they die naturally their shells open up, but that doesn't
necessarily mean that when you pry their shells open they instantly die.
AFAIK it's just a muscle that hold it closed.

Does anybody know this information -- namely how long it takes them to die
after they've been shucked?

Thanks!



Being from MD, Ive eaten oysters immdiedlt after being shucked, and
sometimes right out of the bay (After the worms were cleaned out) and never
even thought about this question. After 43 years of eating raw oysters, the
answer to this might be disturbing..lol

"Falky foo" wrote in message
...
Hi, I've looked and looked and can't find any information as to whether
oysters are alive when they are eaten.

I know that if they die naturally their shells open up, but that doesn't
necessarily mean that when you pry their shells open they instantly die.
AFAIK it's just a muscle that hold it closed.

Does anybody know this information -- namely how long it takes them to die
after they've been shucked?

Thanks!

I am a commercial fisherman and I can tell you that I have always heard the
oyster stays alive until it dehydrates or some other adverse condition like
to much fresh water. If you eat a raw oyster that is still closed by a
"mussel" wouldn't it have to be still alive to flex - or keep the shell
closed. PASS THE HOT SAUCE!