Why Do People Slurp Oysters? Oyster Etiquette for Your Next Maine Oyster Farm Tour

Ever wondered why people slurp oysters—and whether you're supposed to? If you're planning an oyster farm tour in Maine or just sitting down to a dozen at your favorite raw bar, here's your go-to guide for oyster etiquette.

At Nauti Sisters Tours & Charters, we walk guests through the ins and outs of oyster tasting during our private boat tours, where you’ll get hands-on with our working oyster farm in Casco Bay. Here’s what you need to know before your next slurp.

Why Slurping Oysters is the Right Way to Eat Them

When you slurp an oyster straight from the shell, you're tasting it the way nature intended—complete with its briny liquor, any added mignonette or lemon, and the full body of the oyster. That slurp delivers the full flavor experience, especially when you're tasting fresh oysters right from the source on a Maine oyster tour.

Should You Chew or Swallow Oysters?

Contrary to popular belief, you should chew your oysters. Chewing brings out their complex flavors—sweetness, salt, minerality—and helps you really taste the bay they were grown in. Just one or two bites will do the trick.

Oyster Etiquette 101

Here’s what we teach guests during our oyster farm tastings:

Use the oyster fork to loosen the oyster if needed

Tilt the shell to your mouth and slurp gently

Chew once or twice to release flavor

Don’t drown it in condiments—let the oyster shine

What to Expect on a Maine Oyster Tasting Tour

During our oyster farm tours in Yarmouth, Maine, guests not only learn to shuck and slurp like pros—they also see how oysters are grown, handled, and harvested. Whether it’s your first time trying a raw oyster or you’re a shellfish connoisseur, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this sustainable seafood.