Farmed oysters

Recipes:  5 ways with farmed oysters

Taste Clean, crisp, and briny; sometimes a hint of melon. Best during the cold months. High levels of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.

Source Pacific Coast, California to British Columbia.

Eco factor They're water-purifying filter feeders, like clams.

How to choose and prepare Select oysters that are tightly closed and smell clean and briny. Ask your fishmonger to shuck them, if you like. At home, give whole oysters a quick scrub under running water. Discard any with cracked shells before using in recipes.