Mussels
Mussels are a popular shellfish in American and European cuisines, highly accessible based on their abundance and versatility in methods of cooking.
Fast Facts
- A bivalve mollusk, like a clam
- Often cooked and eaten with alcohol
- Should be kept alive until just before they are cooked
- After cooking, unopened mussels should not be eaten
Mussels and Health
One mussel contains over 140 calories, though they are excellent sources of protein, selenium and zinc. Unlike other seafoods, they are not high in omega 3 fatty acids.
Safe Mussel Consumption
Mussels become toxic to humans soon after they die. They should be alive at the inception of cooking to maintain their safety. When mussels are exposed to too much air, their shells will quickly shut. After cooking, any shells which will not easily open should be discarded, as these have likely died before the cooking process and are not safe to eat.
The majority of eaten mussels are farmed, not wild. Though catching wild mussels can be intriguing, they are more likely to be contaminated based on the water they live in. Farmed mussels are harvested in a controlled environment and are far less likely to contain contaminants.
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