Snails and Oysters: From Peasant Fodder to Posh Fare

Snails and oysters: From peasant fodder to posh fare

THREE KEY FACTS Oysters and escargot are recognised as luxury foods around the world, but they were once valued by the lower classes as cheap sources of...

From peasant fodder to posh fare: how snails and oysters became luxury foods

An Oyster cellar in Leith John Burnet, 1819; National Galleries of Scotland, Photo: Antonia ReeveOysters and escargot are recognised as luxury foods around the world – but they were once valued by the lower classes as cheap sources of protein. Less adventurous eaters today see snails as a garden pest, and are quick to point out that freshly shucked oysters are not only raw but also alive when they are eaten. How did these unusual ingredients bec…

Why Are Oysters So Expensive? - The Takeout

A number of factors have caused oyster prices to rise, including farming costs and climate change. Suppliers also struggle to meet increased demand for oysters.