Gulf oysters have always been available for my enjoyment, even as a kid. My first experience with gulf oysters was when my Grandfather and uncles were sitting on the front porch shucking them. I was about 8 or so and had never had a raw oyster before. My Uncle Tiny popped one open, turned the shell up to his mouth, and opened wide. I could not believe he did that so I had to try. Let’s just say I never developed a taste for them raw but I will knock you down to get some fried. With new post-harvest processes being developed such as IQF, HCP, and HPP having raw oysters is becoming safer every year.