Service and preservation guide
At Fratini Ostras de Autor we understand the oyster as a product that must be maintained and served respecting its gourmet product codes. Freshness, cleanliness and care throughout the entire process are part of a way of working based on attention to detail and respect for the product and the consumer.
Therefore, correct preservation and handling is essential to keep its qualities intact.
Service
When opening a FRATINI oyster, it is recommended to discard the first liquid. Due to their elongated concave shape, oysters must be placed on a stable surface so as not to tip over to one side “like a stranded boat”, and not lose their water. The bases can be different. FRATINI maison advises that it can be crushed ice for a sunny terrace, coarse salt for a minimalist plating or small stones for a hot preparation. For domestic use, there is also tableware and cutlery for oysters, if of excellent quality, of course better. Presentation is part of the experience, but also of the care of the product.
Checking the freshness
Once the oyster is opened, its freshness can be checked by gently touching the upper edge (veil) with the tip of a cutlery.
The reaction of the bivalve will be equally barely perceptible when retracting.
Also with a few drops of lemon you can check the reaction of the oyster: unlike contact with the metal of the cutlery, the acid of the fruit will make the perimeter of the veil retract and shrink very little by little, at a slow speed and after 1 minute the edges of the oyster will become slightly wavy due to the retraction.
If when opening the oyster it looks too dry, without natural water or with an un-clean appearance, it is recommended to discard it.
Preservation
For a product like our Ostras de Autor, temperature is an essential factor.
The recommended preservation is between 5 ºC and 15 ºC,
Avoid very prolonged contact with ice, and if there has been, we successively advise against these oysters being stored in the refrigerator again. Better to consume or get rid of them.
To keep them in good conditions:
• Stable temperature from purchase to consumption
• Always keep oysters in their original box
• Keep the box in a horizontal position, never on its edge
• Store them in the lower part of the cold room
Once the box is opened, always take the top oysters first, since not having weight on top and being in direct contact with the environment, they will be the first to open. To not favor that, a small weight can be placed on the oysters, protected with a clean cloth or with the wooden lid itself, thus helping to preserve their natural moisture.
Recommended time of consumption
It is recommended to consume oysters within seven days after delivery to ensure optimal conditions of freshness and quality.
FRATINI Ostras de Autor invites you to have control and care with your oysters, from their selection to the moment of service. Maintaining these conditions is part of a way of understanding this product: without artifice, always prioritizing quality, freshness and respect for the consumer.