The Loughs Agency, which manages the river catchments and sea areas of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough, is delighted to be involved in welcoming the Turner Prize to Derry~Londonderry 2013 City of Culture. Arguably the world’s most prestigious award for contemporary art, the Turner Prize presents an exhibition, free to the public, which will be held at Building 80-81, Ebrington, Derry-Londonderry, from 23rd October 2013 – 5th January 2014.
The much anticipated launch of the Turner Prize, due to take place on the 22nd October will see artists, art lovers and dignitaries from across the world descend on The Venue 2013 for The Turner Prize Opening Reception which will include the chance taste one of the area’s most famous delicacies, the Lough Foyle Irish Flat Oyster! Over 3000 locally harvested oysters will be enjoyed by guests at the world renowned event.
5 things you didn’t know about Lough Foyle Irish Oysters!
- Native oysters to Lough Foyle are alternate hermaphrodites, that is they are male one year and then change to being female the next.
- Oysters take up to 5 years to grow to market size – fishermen are not allowed to catch oysters less than 80mm allowing them to reproduce at least once which helps keep the fishery sustainable.
- The abundance of oysters in Ireland, especially in coastal areas meant that they were always a poor man’s food until more recent years when overfishing, pressure from diseases and pollution reduced supplies and they became a delicacy.
- Do not drink spirits while eating oysters – the potent mix of pure protein and minerals can be too much for the system. Best to play it safe and stick to Guinness!
- The oysters in Lough Foyle can filter a combined 500 million litres of water per day as they feed.
Go Shuck Yourself!
The art of opening an Oyster is called ‘Shucking’:
- Wrap a tea towel over one hand and use it to hold the oyster firmly.
2. Using an oyster shucking knife in the other hand, place the tip of the shucking knife at the base of the hinge, twist the knife using pressure, then without the pressure, lever the knife upwards, or twist it to prise the hinge open.
3. Keeping the oyster level so the juices stay inside, slide the knife under the top shell to release the oyster and remove the shell.
4. You can now add a dressing of your choice to the oyster.
How to eat an oyster … au naturel!
1. Pick up an opened or ‘shucked’ oyster by the shell.
2. Use your finger or a fork to ensure the oyster is detached from its shell.
3. Lift the edge of the shell to your mouth and hold it against your bottom lip.
4. Tilt the shell and take the oyster into your mouth.
Health Benefits of Eating Oysters…
1. Low in fat and calories…Despite the perception that oysters are high in cholesterol, they actually contain only around 50mg of cholesterol per serving which is well within the recommendation of less than 300mg per day. Plus, 6 medium oysters have only 1g of saturated fat and 57 calories. With this type of profile, oysters can be enjoyed in moderation by almost everyone.
2. High in protein… Six medium sized oysters will have around 6g of protein, this protein is also of higher quality than land based sources and is easier to digest than say chicken or beef!
3. They may actually be an aphrodisiac… Oysters have often been called aphrodisiacs, but there’s been little scientific evidence to back up these claims. However, a recent study revealed that oysters contain two amino acids that raise levels of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Higher levels of testosterone generally have a positive effect on sexual response!
4. They’re high in zinc… Oysters are the richest source of zinc of any food around. Zinc plays an important role in wound healing and in maintaining a healthy immune system. It also may help to prevent night blindness. They’re also a good source of other minerals including calcium, magnesium and iron.
5. A good source of vitamins…Oysters are a good source of vitamins including vitamins A, B, C, and D. Seafood is one of the few natural dietary sources of vitamin D, a vitamin that’s showing new promise for disease prevention.
The Turner Prize 2013 exhibition will run at Building 80-81, Ebrington, Derry~Londonderry from 23rd October 2013 – 5th January 2014 and entrance is free to the public. For further information on the Turner Prize please visit www.turnerprize2013.org. For further information on the Loughs Agency please visit www.loughs-agency.org
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