Do you have an idea of mussels as seafood? What are mussels as seafood? Mussels are a highly valued seafood product; however, few people have heard about mussels seafood.
Are there different types of mussels? Yes, black, blue, and green-lipped mussels. They are also widely spread! Black mussels are also mussels with different tastes and textures.
You will find them nutritious, delicious, and versatile, which l use in different flavors. Click here to learn about 10 types of shellfish.
However, mussels are generally a perfect canvas for creative ideas at the table.
I’ll share the mussel’s overview with their nutritional values, making you love mussels as delicious complementary flavors.
Let’s go.
What Are Mussels?
Mussels are bivalve mollusks in the family Mytilidae. Mussel shells are dark blue-black, jointed, and oval in shape. Although, most mussels eaten today are farmed.
You can easily find them in the wild along exposed cold-water shorelines in intertidal zones worldwide, clinging to pier pilings and rocky outcroppings in the water.
They are freshwater and saltwater seafood. Mussels live in Europe, North America, Asia, and New Zealand.
Freshwater mussels, while similar in appearance to the conventional wild variety, are a slightly different species.
They are farmed in a controlled environment. Seafood lovers love mussels due to their cooking options available.
Green, blue, and black mussels are in the market. I prepare them using different cooking options like steamed, boiled, fried, or grilled.
l serve mussels with various sauces or as topping on Pizza and pasta. I also use them in stews and soups.
By my strong, experienced threads, mussels are known for their delicious taste. They are excellent protein, iron, and other essential nutrients source.
Seafood mongers love mussels because of their unique flavor. From experience, they have a slightly salty taste with a tender texture you may not resist.
They don’t taste overly salty or fishy, and their delicate flavor is perfect for anything from fennel to tomatoes to olive oil.
All these attributes make mussels my best seafood and perfect in various dishes. Mussels are affordable and available in many seafood markets around you.
I am not taking mussels because of their delicious taste but their several health benefits, including vitamin B12 and C with omega-3 fatty acids.
They have low fats and calories, making them an excellent option for weight loss. Ensure you cook mussels properly to avoid food poisoning due to bacteria and viruses.
What Kind Of Seafood Are Mussels?
Mussel is a kind of seafood from the shellfish category. Shellfish is seafood that is found in freshwater and saltwater habitat.
Their shell is outlined, elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval.
They have two groups: crustaceans and mollusks. Crustaceans are shrimp, crayfish, crab, and lobster, while clams, scallops, oysters, and mussels are examples of mollusks.
Mussels are bivalve mollusks found around the world.
The most common species farmed are the New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel and the Prince Edward Island Blue Mussel in Canada.
Mussels are a shelled seafood delicacy related to clams, scallops, and oysters.
They live on exposed shores in the intertidal zone, attached using their strong byssal threads to a firm substrate.
But mussels have about 17 edible species.
The most commonly edible species of mussels are Mytilus edulis, M. galloprovincialis, M. trossulus, and Perna canaliculus.
Depending on their gender, mussel’s meat is either cream or pinkish.
What Is The Benefit Of Mussels Seafood?
The benefits of mussel seafood are that they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reduce cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
They strengthen the immune system and stimulate white blood cell formation, regulating cell growth and division.
Check out my skin, bones, and teeth, all thanks to mussel’s benefits. I like eating mussels. Mussels are suitable for the muscles thanks to their high protein content.
They reduce depression and are good at treating this type of pathology. Mussels have a minimal amount of fat and provide very few calories.
It is satiating, making you eat less to aid weight loss. Minerals are the highlight of the mussels. Mussels are cheap and usually easy to prepare.
Mussels Nutritional seafood values (Super)
| Content | per 100g |
| Energy (in kilojoules/kilocalories) | 360kJ/86kcal |
| Fats (in grams) | 2.2g |
| Saturated fatty acids (in grams) | 0.4g |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids (in grams) | 0.5g |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids (in grams) | 0.6g |
| Carbohydrates (in grams ) | 3.7g |
| Sugars (in grams) | 0g |
| Polyalcohols (in grams) | 0g |
| Starch (in grams) | 0g |
| Dietary fiber (in grams ) | 0g |
| Proteins (in grams ) | 11.9g |
| Salt (in grams ) | 0g |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A (in micrograms) | 48.0 µg |
| Vitamin B1 (in milligrams) | 0.20mg |
| Vitamin B2 (in milligrams) | 0.20mg |
| Vitamin B3 (in milligrams) | 1.60mg |
| Vitamin B5 (in milligrams) | 0.50mg |
| Vitamin B6 (in milligrams) | 0.10mg |
| Vitamin B9 (in micrograms) | 33.0 µg |
| Vitamin B12 (in micrograms) | 12.0 µg |
| Vitamin C (in milligrams) | 0.08mg |
| Vitamin D (in micrograms) | 1.00 µg |
| Vitamin E (in milligrams) | 0.50mg |
| Vitamin K (in micrograms) | 0.10 µg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium (in milligrams) | 26mg |
| Copper (in milligrams) | 0.10mg |
| Phosphorus (in milligrams) | 197mg |
| Iron (in milligrams) | 3.9mg |
| Magnesium (in milligrams) | 34mg |
| Manganese (in milligrams) | 3mg |
| Potassium (in milligrams) | 320mg |
| Selenium (in micrograms) | 44.8 µg |
| Sodium (in milligrams) | 286mg |
| Iodine (in micrograms) | 105 µg |
| Zinc (in milligrams) | 1.6mg |
Why Are They Called Mussels Seafood?
Mussels are called seafood because shellfish live in saltwater or freshwater habitats and are commonly consumed as food.
Seafood refers to any edible sea creatures or aquatic animals harvested for human consumption, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and mollusks like mussels.
As mussels are a type of mollusk, they are considered a type of seafood.
And they are often enjoyed in dishes such as mussel soup, seafood paella, or steamed mussels with garlic and white wine.
Mussels are rich in protein and nutrients, making them a popular and healthy food choice for many people worldwide.
They are often prepared in various dishes such as soups, stews, and pasta dishes.
Mussels, along with clams, oysters, and scallops, fall into the shellfish category. They are prized for their unique flavor and texture.
“Seafood” describes various edible aquatic creatures, including mussels.
The word mussel, “a bivalve mollusk,” derives from the Latin diminutive musculus (“little mouse.”).
This little sea creature was thought to resemble a mouse in size and color.
The movement of a muscle, especially the one in the upper arm (biceps), can be compared to that of a mouse moving.
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the analogy of mouse/muscle already existed in Greek. Double-duty words that can mean either “mouse” or “muscle” also exist in modern languages.
Old English spelled the word for the sea animal in various ways: muscle, muscell, muscelle, muscule, musscel, muxle.
As might be expected, the spellings of mussel and muscle collided for a while.
The spelling mussel to distinguish seafood from bodily tissue was first recorded in about 1600.
Still, the distinctive spelling was not fully established until the 1870s.
What Is Special About Mussel?
What is special about mussels is that many people consider them authentic gastronomic gems.
They improve the condition and quality of the skin and bones and strengthen the immune system.
Also, they help to repair tissues and can even be helpful to combat mental disorders such as depression.
Mussels are also special for being a hypocaloric and nutritious food at the same time with a lot of properties.
They contain high protein, vitamins, and minerals and are an excellent vitamin B12, iron, and zinc source.
These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy red blood cells, boosting the immune system, and supporting brain function.
They have a soft body with respiratory, digestive, and reproductive organs and a muscular foot for locomotion, burrowing, and orientation.
The shiny layer inside the shell is called the nacre, or mother of pearl, which makes them special among other seafood.
It protects the soft body and defends the mussel against parasites and sediments.
Mussels are also one of the most sustainable seafood options available.
They are filter feeders, meaning they help clean the water around them by removing excess nutrients and pollutants.
It makes them an essential part of the ecosystem and helps to maintain healthy aquatic environments.
Mussels are a staple food in many cultures and are commonly consumed as a seafood dish.
They have low fat, making them a healthy and nutritious food source.
Freshwater mussels also perform an essential ecological service by keeping our streams and rivers clean.
They filter out harmful algae and bacteria, absorb heavy metals, and filter silt and fine particulates that harm aquatic ecosystems.
Their nutrition, sustainability, flavor, versatility, and ecological importance make them a special and highly prized seafood option.
What Is The Difference Between Clams And Mussels?
The difference between clams and mussels are:
- Clams
Clams shell is thin, oval, and equal-sized, connected by two adductor muscles.
Their shape is the typical shell with a silhouette similar to a rounded triangle.
They can be eaten raw, pickled, or in soups. Freshwater clams tend to be less salty.
Clams are more considerable, probably 500 pounds in weight and 4.25 feet in length, compared to mussels.
They can be eaten raw or cooked. They are not attached like mussels but are buried in sediment.
Clams have a high price compared to mussels. Their high cost is because clams are not easy to farm like mussels.
- Mussels
Mussels are the most symmetrical. They are shaped like an elongated ovoid and look a bit more refined than clams to the naked eye.
They have an oblong, thin, and finely grooved shell, primarily dark blue, brown, or black.
These shellfish are found near the coasts, clinging to the rocks. They can measure from 8 to 20 centimeters which depends on the species.
Mussels are always eaten cooked with curry sauces. They are often steamed or cooked with wine.
They can be found in fresh and saltwater. The edible bivalve comes from the marine family Mytilidae.
The mussels are attached with a thread structure known as a byssal thread that helps them form a substrate. Mussels are low in price.
Clear Mussels And Clams Difference
| Comparison | Mussels | Clams |
| Texture | Soft and tender | Rubbery |
| Taste | Soft and salty | Moderately salty |
| Color | Blue, green, or black | Tan, white, or beige |
| Shape | Long and pointed | Round |
| Prices | Low | High |
Is Mussels Meat Or Fish?
Mussels are not fish, but they have meat. Mussels are under the shellfish category of seafood, while fish is another type of seafood category.
They’re a worthy contender for red meat: 15 mussels provide the protein equivalent of a 6-ounce beef steak.
But with a fraction of the saturated fat found in meat, making them a good alternative. Mussels have endless nutritional qualities.
Mussel meat is highly appreciated in many parts of the world.
However, l have a special appreciation for the mussel meat flavor. It makes me include it in many dishes.
From the casserole to the classic seafood paella in which mussels cannot be missing, mussels are delicious meat.
Let me give you some ideas for dishes I prepare with mussel meat. These are some of your possibilities:
- Pickled mussels.
- Spaghetti with mussels and tomato sauce.
- Lemon mussels.
- Steamed mussels.
- Seafood paella.
Mussels meat was served at dinner parties during World War II in the United States.
Due to the lack of red meat, it served as food rationing during the war.
Mussels can be smoked, boiled, steamed, or fried in butter.
Like all shellfish, mussels should be alive just before cooking because they quickly become toxic after they die.
A simple criterion is those live mussels will snap shut when disturbed; open mussels are dead and should be discarded.
Also, closed, exceptionally heavy mussel shells should be discarded, as they usually contain only mud.
Mussel shells open by themselves when they are cooked.
What Is Another Name For Mussels Seafood?
Another name for mussels seafood include the three-horned wartyback, sheep nose, fatmucket, heelsplitter, rabbit foot, pistol grip, picture, monkeyface, and snuffbox. Pearly.
Mussel is the common name for some shellfish in several families of bivalve mollusks.
Some species are from salt water, while others are from freshwater habitats.
The mussels ( Mytilidae ) are commonly known as mussels in some parts of South America.
Like other bivalves, they are filter feeders attached to the substrate.
They are marine and live in intertidal zones and submerged areas of the coasts around the world.
Although, there are species that live in bodies of fresh and mixed or brackish.
A freshwater mussel with a high invasive capacity is known as Limnoperna fortuneiIt.
What Is Inside A Mussel?
What is inside a mussel is its “meat”. However, a mussel has two shells, a good shell and a left shell, that are hinged together.
The two shells are held shut by solid adductor muscles.
Another thin membrane is called a “mantle” inside a mussel shell. This mantle uses calcium from the water to form a mussel’s shell.
Moreover, there is another brown stuff found inside a mussel. The name of the substance is called “pseudofeces”.
It contains a variety of things, like sand, dirt, and other organic matter that the mussel has ingested.
This substance does not change the taste of the mussel and is harmless. Find out what mussels taste like below.
What Do Mussels As Seafood Taste Like?
So what do mussels taste like? When mussels are correctly prepared, mussels are slightly salty, like the ocean, and somewhat sweet with umami (salty) undertones.
They should be tender yet slightly chewy and pair well with many delicious flavors you may like to try.
Saltwater mussels live in the ocean and taste salty and briny, similar to oysters and clams. Click here to learn about oysters vs. clams
They are also a bit sweet, complementing that salty flavor, and have an umami or savory undertone.
Mussels do not taste overwhelmingly salty or fishy.
Their delicate flavor profile makes them an excellent vehicle for everything from garlic to fennel to tomatoes to olive oil.
Read on to learn how to cook mussels properly and what flavors to pair them with.
How To Prepare And Cook Mussels.
I will leave here how to prepare and cook mussels. l eat them with different sauces or simply with lemon.
How To Prepare Mussels As Seafood? (DIY)
- Step 1
Mussels are not to be consumed more than two days after they are caught.
Keep them in the fridge until cooking if you will not cook them on the same day of purchase.
Discard any mussel with a broken shell that the meat is exposed.
- Step 2
You wash and clean the mussel’s shell properly for some people.
Although, most people prefer to remove the fat to avoid losing properties and flavor power.
- Step 3
Do this with a knife and always under tap water. Remove these obstacles and wash the shell well.
Some do not consider it necessary to eliminate every corpuscle because they would lose part of their grace.
How to cook mussels (the most straightforward way)
1. After preparation.
2. Get a pot and place the washed mussels in without water. Only moistened with the water from having washed them.
3. Cover the pot and place it on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the mussels open.
4. The mussels that are closed after should be discarded because they are bad. They should not be eaten.
5. Mussels open after cooking are ready to use with any flavor.
6. They can be eaten with sauce.
7. Put into another preparation (rice, for example) or eat as they are, with garlic, parsley, and a little lemon.
The flavors that can be paired with mussels range from mussels in white wine-based cream sauce to vibrant Thai, coconut soup, mussels in spicy sauce, pickled, and croquettes.
The results are all delicious. Explore these flavors that l enjoy.
Are Cooked Mussels As Seafood Safe To Eat?
Cooked mussels are safe to eat if you properly cook them to avoid contamination of bacteria and viruses that may lead to foodborne illness.
Every bivalve mollusk is supposed to be alive before cooking to ensure they are safe to eat.
Once these mollusks die, bacteria will enter them.
Despite their many benefits, mussels may risk foodborne illness if not handled and cooked correctly.
It is essential to purchase mussels from a reputable source and ensure they are cooked thoroughly before consumption.
Read on to know the country known for mussels.
What Country Is Known For Mussels?
Belgium is renowned for its delectable mussels, a prominent feature of its cuisine.
These mollusks are often served with fries and mayonnaise and are considered a beloved seafood delicacy.
Brussels hosts an annual “Mussels Festival” to honor this culinary treat.
Although China is responsible for producing more than 80% of the world’s bivalves, most of this production is consumed domestically.
Spain and the US are typically the primary markets for the approximately 200,000 tonnes of internationally traded mussels.
Chile is the world’s largest mussel exporter.
The oxygen, plankton, and krill-rich waters that flow along the Chilean Patagonia coast via the Humboldt Current provide an ideal habitat for mussels.
Although mussels are enjoyed worldwide, they are prevalent and can be found virtually everywhere in Belgium.
Are Mussels Considered Fish?
Mussels are not considered fish because they are in the shellfish category of seafood. At the same time, fish is regarded as a category of seafood.
They contain meat on the inside of their shells, not fish. Go ahead and read to know if mussels are healthy or not.
Are Mussels As Seafood Healthy Or Not?
Mussels are healthy because they are nutritious food with a high protein and low-fat content.
They also contain various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc, as these contribute to a healthy life.
Mussels contain high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, which have various health benefits.
All these minerals and vitamins have made mussels healthy.
Additionally, mussels benefit various aspects of human health, such as heart health, brain health, and immune system function.
These are the reasons I made mussels part of my diet.
They are always on my dinner table (DIY) because mussels have gained attention for their culinary uses and health benefits.
Read about how often you should eat mussels.
How Often Should You Eat Mussels As Seafood?
Eating mussels once or twice a week is safe, it is essential to make them part of a diverse and balanced diet.
However, ensure the mussels are fresh and properly cooked to avoid foodborne illnesses like bacterial infections or shellfish poisoning.
Mussels are a nutritious addition to a balanced diet, as they are low in fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Eating them frequently depends on various factors, such as your dietary needs, health condition, and lifestyle.
Consult your healthcare provider if you have a specific medical condition or dietary restriction, such as a shellfish allergy.
Or you can register with a dietitian before adding mussels or other seafood to your diet.
Eat mussels in moderation to achieve a nutritional benefits, including essential vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Final Thought
Now that you know the overview of mussels as seafood, they help in brain function, fight arthritis, and are a great source of vitamins, zinc, iron, and folic acid.
Mussels are worthy of being part of your diet. They are suitable for the palate, good for health, and good for the world.
They could be considered a marine superfoods. It may interest you to learn about seafood vs. shellfish.
A trial will convince you to share this article with friends and family.