I remember the moment I was induced to slurp down a freshly-shucked oyster.  That so many of us remember that moment leads us to ask: What is it about the oyster that leads us to become its cultists?

Topics include a look at the history of the U.S. oyster business; a “taste” of different oyster varieties; and how the oyster spawned its cult of people.

I was recently engaged in trying to present a cogent argument to a young adult as to why they should eat their first freshly-shucked oyster. Now, if you think about it, that is one tough job.

For example, if the eyes are first to feast, how would you describe the appearance of a freshly-shucked oyster so that your naïve target’s mouth would water at the prospect of slurping that oyster down?

Well, what does that oyster look like, but a big wet, slobbery booger. Ewww!

And how about the smell… Kind of like a sock you fished out of the slew…. Ewww!

Perhaps that is why Jonathan Swift said, so long ago, “He was a bold man that first ate an oyster!”

Yet, you and I were induced to eat that first oyster… and now we are Oyster Cult card-carriers of the Oyster’s cult! And so we ask: What is it about the oyster that leads us to become its cultists?

Leave a comment below: Are you an oyster lover?

Tune in here, for the syndicated Michael Olson Food Chain Radio Show #1423 August 8, 2026 Saturday 9AM Pacific