3 Tips to Buy Fresh Mussels

I’m usually pretty lazy in my food shopping habits. I just want my dinner to show up in the fridge when I come home tired after work, so I buy fresh mussels online, whatever looks best. If my partner Tom isn’t home yet, the latest catch in the fish department wins. We may be losing out on some delicious seafood, but at least I got an easy dinner!

So you love mussels. Good. But are they fresh? How can you tell? Here are some quick guidelines to look out for before purchasing mussels at the market.

1. Farmed mussels

Because farmed mussels are grown in rivers or ponds, they face fewer predators than wild mussels living in the ocean. This is because there are not as many sea creatures to eat farmed mussels.

For example, there are fewer otters (the main predator of wild mussels) in freshwater than there are of sea creatures near the coast. This means farmed mussels don’t need to spend energy growing strong shells like wild mussels do, making them softer and easier to cook with.

Because farmed mussels are grown in rivers or ponds, they face fewer predators than wild mussels living in the ocean. This is because there are not as many sea creatures to eat farmed mussels.

For example, there are fewer otters (the main predator of wild mussels) in freshwater than there are of sea creatures near the coast. This means farmed mussels don’t need to expend energy on growing strong shells like wild mussels do, making them softer and easier to cook with.

2. Fresh smell

When picking mussels, you’re probably most concerned with their general appearance. You want to make sure the shell is closed nice and tight, which means it is alive. Once you’ve decided on a healthy-looking mussel, you should smell the mussel to make sure it smells fresh.

The first way is by inspecting the shell and seeing if there are any cracks or chips along the edges. Make sure to check under and between each of the “claws” as well as up and down each side of the shell. If there are signs of disintegration, it’s best to find a new batch.

Wrinkled or breached mussels are past their prime and should probably be avoided or used immediately.

3. The source

You have arrived at your destination. But what will you eat? Only the freshest fare will do, so please take a few moments to ask about the mussels’ source. Find out where the mussels came from and when they were harvested. Mussels are best within three to five days of leaving the water. Enjoy!

Mussels and oysters, particularly the ones you’ll find at those nice restaurants with those nice $ $ $ $ prices, should be served as fresh as possible. Ideally, these shellfish come from a source that is not too far away or one that does not store its catch in refrigerated rooms. Why? Eating live shellfish runs the risk of contracting parasites that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.