general | April 05, 2026

What months have an R in them?

Summary: Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters during months containing the letter ‘r’ — from September to April. Now, a new study suggests people have been following this practice for at least 4,000 years.

Which month do not have letter R in them?

There’s always been this oft-recited piece of advice about oysters: Only eat oysters in months that contain the letter “R” in the name. You know, September, October, December, January.

What is the letter for r?

Letters in the alphabet:

Letter NumberLetter
17Q
18R
19S
20T

What month has 31 days exactly?

Months that have 31 days are: January, March, May, July, August, October, December.

What month should you avoid fish?

Common lore states that we should only be eating shellfish, especially oysters, in months with the letter “R.” So we can help ourselves to all the oysters, mussels, and clams we can eat from September through April, but put the brakes on come May.

Are oysters alive when eaten?

Yes! Oysters are still alive as you eat them! In fact, if you are going to eat an oyster raw, it has to be alive or else it will no longer be safe to eat. In the case of oysters, alive means fresh!

Can you only eat oysters months R?

Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters in months with the letter “r” – from September to April – to avoid watery shellfish, or worse, a nasty bout of food poisoning. Now, a new study suggests people have been following this practice for at least 4,000 years.

What months are good for shellfish?

Common lore states that we should only be eating shellfish, especially oysters, in months with the letter “R.” So we can help ourselves to all the oysters, mussels, and clams we can eat from September through April, but put the brakes on come May. What about year-round oyster bars?

What does Letter R look like?

The letter R came from the Phoenician letter rosh (see image at left). The word rosh meant head and the letter resembles a neck and head. It also looks like a backwards P. They called this letter rho.

Why should you not eat fish?

The Environmental Protection Agency says that contaminated fish are a persistent source of PCBs in the human diet. These chemicals have been shown to damage the circulatory, nervous, immune, endocrine, and digestive systems.

Do you chew or swallow oysters?

“An oyster is meant to be savored. Rather than swallowing whole, I recommend biting into the oyster so the full flavor profile can be experienced. Also, when consuming an oyster in the shell, remember the ‘oyster liquor’ is there to be enjoyed.

Do oysters die when shucked?

Cooked Oysters So to once again answer the question, yes, oysters are alive when eaten immediately after being shucked.

What months are not good for oysters?

What months should you not eat shrimp?

Following the “R” Rule for Shellfish. Common lore states that we should only be eating shellfish, especially oysters, in months with the letter “R.” So we can help ourselves to all the oysters, mussels, and clams we can eat from September through April, but put the brakes on come May.

What are the best months to eat crab?

While June through August are the most favored and tradition-laden times for eating crabs, September and October are the best time to get the largest and fattest hard crabs at the best prices.