Why do you need to put lemon juice on oysters?

[kat11]

Why do you need to put lemon juice on oysters?

[Grunty]

Probably for the same reason my Grandfather used to put gravy on his pudding instead of custard - because he liked it that way.

[andy-hughes]

I have never eaten oysters, but I believe they are tastless, apart from salt, so the lemon juice gives them a bit of a zing for the taste buds.

[Space]

Because it tastes nice.
You can also put a mix of vinegar and tiny onion bits.

[rojash]

Because without it they are revolting. Come to think of it, they're revolting with oit as well!

[Space]

sorry I meant shallots, not onions...

[Phantaxus]

I never eaten oysters but I saw the answer to this on TV the other night. Oysters are supposed to be eaten live if you put lemon on them they will move. If you put lemon on them and they dont move they are dead and should not be eaten as that can lead to food poisoning

[Space]

Phataxus, are you joking?? that is complete nonsense, what stupid TV channel said that ?? oysters don't move when you put lemon on them !

I hope you're not paying a TV license ...

Go and try some oysters yourself and you'll see ...

[nickmo]

Oyster and lemon are like fish and chips - they just do it together. See: http://www.maldonoysters.com/oystercur.asp for one site with lots of info and a few recipes for oysters too.