Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Portrait of an Oyster: A Natural History of an Epicurean Delight

Portrait of an Oyster: A Natural History of an Epicurean Delight

Von Paschen, Renée
Ammer, Andreas
Nordmann, Falk

Hardcover

Series: Marvels of Nature, Book 2

Food WritingEnvironmental Studies

Publisher Price: $22.95

ISBN10: 1778401279
ISBN13: 9781778401275
Publisher: Greystone Books
Published: Apr 22 2025
Pages: 192
Weight: 0.90
Height: 0.80 Width: 5.40 Depth: 7.70
Language: English

Narrated with awe and gusto, Andreas Ammer's Portrait of an Oyster is a must for all who find their joy on the half shell ... Funny, thoughtful, and tastebud-piquing--Foreword Reviews

A gorgeously crafted exploration of the oyster's role in art, culture, cuisine, science, and history--featuring stunning full-color illustrations.

Everyone recalls eating their first oyster, just like they remember their first kiss ...

Portrait of an Oyster delves beyond the shucked shell to reveal the rich and surprising world of the oyster and the artists, philosophers, explorers, and chefs the mollusk has inspired across the centuries. Illustrated with full-color paintings, vintage advertisements, line drawings, and archival photographs, Portrait of an Oyster shares intriguing insights into the biology and cultivation of oysters as the author embarks on an expedition across Europe and North America to taste some of the world's best.

Did you know that oysters shift their gender several times over the course of their lifetimes? They have one muscle that serves to keep their two shells clamped firmly shut, and a heart and basic circulatory system largely dependent on seawater--although they have no brain or known nervous system.

In the French region of Marennes-Oléron--where much of the technology of modern oysters farming was pioneered--oysters are still considered among the finest in the world. Like champagne, oysters from this region are protected by geographic distinction laws, with some even getting initials lasered into their shells, to preserve their prestige. Portrait of an Oyster travels across France, Europe, and North America, sampling some of the best oysters and restaurants in the world, including in the UK and Copenhagen, and then Boston, New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco.

This book's stunning features include:

  • Full-color paintings, vintage advertisements, and archival photographs.
  • Intriguing insights into the biology, reproduction, and cultivation of oysters.
  • Sumptuous travelogs to renowned oyster restaurants and oyster farms.
  • Unique backmatter: A glorious guide to global oyster varieties, with drawings and descriptions of each specimen.

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