View from the factory, just gorgeous

 

Inside the factory, with our group.

 

Jessica not looking too chuffed, as she holds the Oyster, no shell - very slimy she said.!!

Stage 3 - By this stage an oyster of a specific colour is identified and opened.  The spleen is taken out and sliced very finely.  A slice is then inserted into all the other oysters with a bead from the US which is make of crushed oyster shell, by hand.

 

 

 

Stage 4 - Oysters then put back into the sea on rope, for another year, pending the quality they and the customers are seeking. 

This is done 3 times during the life of the Oyster.

Spot the pearl....  It is quite a job to force open the shell.

 

An open oyster, complete with pearl - try to spot it.  Now try to spot the heart and  spleen

The black colour (which is actually metallic grey, or green/blue/purple) comes from the spleen dissection and insertion operation.

 

Dinner anyone?  The contents nicely washed for us.  I DID NOT eat this after the lunchtime tasting!!