Now, I once believed two things about mussels. No. Likely, the biggest predator here in the Midwest is the crayfish, which can eat dozens of small mussels. Cook them without further delay, within a few hours if possible. How to best clean a large historical corpus ridden with OCR errors. 12 Answers. Why do we still teach the determinant formula for cross product? Their shells should be tightly closed when you buy them, or they should close when you tap them. If you do get sandy mussels, you can soak them in salt water for a couple of hours, which should cause the mussels to expel the sand. Chances are the oyster is already dead. Cooking Even if a few of your mussels die before you cook them, the meat should be heated enough in the cooking process to kill any bacteria and render them safe to eat. I know not to eat any which will not close their shells or which are not sealed properly, but I have a batch where most of them float, but otherwise respond as "alive" closing their shells etc. 6 Do not soak the mussels in water, as fresh water will quickly kill mussels. Mussels have a limited shelf life. If the mussel closes up again in response to this turmoil, it's alive. And is it as bad as I think it is? There are a lot of things you can do with frozen mussels. (A dead mussel can make you very sick.) Shellfish, including mussels, must be impeccably fresh when you eat them, or you will risk getting ill. Supposedly not true. Of all the species that live here, only a few fish have ever been seen to eat zebra mussels (specifically smallmouth bass, yellow perch and red-ear sunfish), and even then they do not eat enough to make much of a difference. 8 Kruszelnicki, Karl. Mussels are alive, and you want them alive when you cook them. A wild caught mussel, I suppose, may sometimes die and have it’s shell fused closed by mud and muck but I’ve never personally encountered this. Chefs and seafood experts agree that you should not freeze live mussels. Problem is that now I have a load of Schrödinger's mussels that could be alive or dead as I might have killed them. DID-YOU-KNOWS Myth: Mussels have gone bad if they are open before cooking. For every pound of green mussels you buy, you can expect about 50% to be actual mussel meat. The rest are now cleaned, de-bearded and chilling in the fridge mourning their fallen comrades. I would still cook them, but do a couple things to be as safe as possible: Thanks for contributing an answer to Seasoned Advice! Very yummy.. Mussels must be alive to ensure their freshness and their shells should be closed to make sure they are alive. As much as we love mussels, they are definitely a labor-intensive dish to eat! In your case, you know with reasonable certainty that they were alive until very recently so they're still fairly fresh. Is it a fundamental tenet of liberalism to allow the expression of illiberal ideals? Janet. Put them in a covered container and keep them in your fridge for up to 2 days. Well it is a Myth-The clams closed after cooking were already dead and are spoiled. I then read here and here that leaving them in freshwater will quickly kill them. Next, you have to make sure all the mussels are still fresh and alive. I've found LOTS of debates online about whether or not you should eat a cooked mussel if it's still closed (consensus and most research - one example - says yes it's fine). You … At what point (after clams die) are they ok to eat. The most common is to simmer or steam them in aromatic liquids like wine, tomato sauce, and broth. Start by selecting mussels that are alive. Do you like Mussels? Can a few bad (dead) mussels harm a larger batch? In Canada, must commercially sold mussels be purged and purified in UV filtered water for 42 hours? Click to see full answer Keeping this in consideration, can you cook mussels that are slightly open? Open shells that do not close should be discarded as unsafe to eat. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. You should cook them within two or three days for optimal taste and freshness. Therefore, it’s important you know how to handle mussels appropriately, especially raw mussels. If it doesn't move, discard it. Mussels are eaten cooked (usually steamed) so no, they are not alive. Dead ones aren't edible and can make you sick. 7 mins ago. The primary rule is to eat only mussels that are closed tight when they're in the open air. For all shellfish, this means alive when you buy them and alive when you cook them. As much as we love mussels, they are definitely a labor-intensive dish to eat! This is easy to do -- just tap the shell on a hard surface, and if it closes it's good to eat. Put them carefully into a sink filled with cold water. They will remain safe to eat for up to 14 days after packaging, but taste and safety decline with every day in storage. Because mussels are alive and should be when you cook them, their shells should be closed (this is how you know they're still living!). You can prepare mussels with a variety of cooking methods. For all shellfish, this means alive when you buy them and alive when you cook them. They open their shells when dying and dead but if you froze them live then bacteria could not have set in yet. What is the earliest mention of space travel? Throw away any mussels that have been in your fridge for longer than 4 days. Are any mussels that died in my 'care' still ok to eat as I know they've not been dead and rotting for ages and are still relatively fresh? The clams mostly should be closed at first when preparing and washing them. The other answerer is half right and half wrong about closed-shell mussels. Any dead mussels will start to go south faster than live, since they're no longer respirating. Chances are these were among the small contingent who stayed closed after death and you don't know exactly how long they've been toast. How are there two C3 rotation axes in ammonia? Thanks :) I'll be cooking them in a few hours Most of them seem to be alive as they're opening up in the fridge (being kept cold and damp) and closing when tapped. Chefs and seafood experts agree that you should not freeze live mussels. Does Hermione die in Harry Potter and the cursed child? How can I temporarily repair a lengthwise crack in an ABS drain pipe? Mussels with shells that do not open during the cooking process should also be avoided. But please don't reheat leftover mussels! Myth: Mussels have gone bad if they are open before cooking. If it does nothing, don't take a chance. What is the difference between breeze blocks and concrete blocks? I am no expert but you should not eat mussels that have already opened when fresh. It's not because the mussel isn't cooked - it's because the mussel was dead and possibly spoiled before it was cooked. https://www.recipetips.com/.../t--1236/how-to-prepare-and-open-mussels.asp No. How to create curved lines in Tikz that go through specific points? This will keep the mussels from naturally opening and closing as they like to do, and prevents drying out. The best way to store mussels is in the refrigerator, in the original mesh or net bag they came in, wrapped in a wet paper towel or even wet newspaper. Copyright 2020 FindAnyAnswer All rights reserved. Drain daily any water that collects in bowl/container. 0 0. Everywhere says if it closes then it's fine, but is it possible to have a closed dead mussel? Fact: Mussels that are open before cooking are most likely still alive. And no matter how we do it, we always manage to end up with sticky fingers and dribbles of clam juice down the front of our shirt. Next, gently pry the tender flesh from the open shell with a fork. 2 hours ago. posted by kuujjuarapik at 10:31 AM on August 30, 2008 Give them a tap either with your finger or on the side of a bowl and wait for the shell to close up. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. We’re pretty informal when it comes to mussels, and our personal preference is scooping up a bit of the cooking broth and then slurping the mussel straight from … The same goes if the mussel feels heavy for its size or if it's cracked. Why is SAT so important in theoretical computer science? Once you've eaten all the mussels don't forget the remaining juice, its half the meal! Why do some mussels not open when cooked? Green mussels, native to Asia, are less common, but boast a better meat-to-shell ratio. But it’s too expensive for me. Mussels are delicious when scooped out of a pot, but getting them out of the shell can be challenging. I have never eaten a mussel but would think that lemon or lime juice would be good on it. Tapping the shell lightly should cause it to close back up. The reason for this is that dead shellfish tends to spoil very rapidly, and if you do not know how long it has been dead, it is hard to know whether or not it is safe to eat. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The same goes if … Mussels are sustainable, simple to cook, and healthy too. Look at the opening of the shell. When you purchase mussels for cooking, they should be alive and tightly closed. People love their seafood. Choose closed shells, or mostly closed. The short answer to this question is that yes, it is cruel to cook shellfish and crustaceans alive, because although they have less extensive nervous systems than humans do, they still feel pain. We humans have been eating mussels for thousands of years. Arpita. Give them a tap either with your finger or on the side of a bowl and wait for the shell to close up. Mushiness doesn't mean much. Store in fridge (up to a few days and make sure they smell like the ocean). Ruello found 11.5% of all mussels failed to open during cooking, but when forced open, 100% were "both adequately cooked and safe to eat." Mussels are delicious and high in vitamins like B12, but there are plenty of stories about people getting sick after eating shellfish. What happens if you eat too many mussels? When the shells open, the mussels are ready. Here's why you should eat more mussels and a mussels recipe to try at home. Fresh clams, like other shellfish, are sold live and need to be kept alive until you cook them. [19] [20] Although mussels are valued as food, mussel poisoning due to toxic planktonic organisms can be a danger along some coastlines. Live, healthy mussels will open up to warm up if they get to cold from being packed in ice. Check if the opening of the shell is partially open. Didn't particularly enjoy them, but if I was at a dinner party and didn't want to offend the hostess, I would eat them again. Provided the mussels weren't harvested in a summer heat wave or winter freezing spell which tends to stress the animals, a bag of mussels can be kept over 2 weeks after harvest this way. You can buy mussels already cooked and vacuum-packed in a sauce, or cooked and frozen. Their shells should be tightly closed when you buy them, or they should close when you tap them. Pan-roasted, smoked and grilled mussels are also favorites. Do not soak the mussels in water, as fresh water will quickly kill mussels. It only takes a minute to sign up. After cooking there will likely be none that are closed, but if there are, there will likely be few and you can discard them if you like. rev 2021.2.5.38499, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Seasoned Advice works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. If … If an elliptically-shaped aerofoil gives the optimum lift distribution, why aren't propeller blades designed around this ideal? If your mussels were fresh when you bought them, they should stay alive for a few days if you store them properly. Storing cooked mussels. If the shell does not close after tapping, then discard. If only done when something's wrong, it's nasty. To eat mussels, grab one mussel at a time and hold the shell in your dominant hand with the open side of the shell facing outward. Earing dead mussels can be dangerous to your health. Showing 1-12 of 22 recipes Consequently, what happens if you eat a dead mussel? If you're sourcing your mussels from a trusted fishmonger, it's unlikely … Fact: Mussels that are open before cooking are most likely still alive. Cover with clean damp cloth or paper towel. Mushiness doesn't mean much. the shells i'm guessing were pried open. No. Because mussels are alive and should be when you cook them, their shells should be closed (this is how you know they're still living!). Don't Forget to Clean 'Em Up. Also, make sure that you don't clean the mussels until right before you cook them. Let us tempt you with our tasty mussel recipes. Trust me, this is not something you want to do. I really like mussels as I do most shellfish. Most importantly of all is to keep mussels cold. Fact: Mussels that are open before cooking are most likely still alive. How long will Mussels stay alive in the fridge? Why do banks have capital requirements on deposits? Bad tasting mussels and avoiding buying them. How can you tell if a mussel has red tide? They should smell fresh and salty, just like the ocean. ‘The reason for eating them alive is simply for freshness and flavour as they still have most of their iron/sea flavoured juices within the meat. If you do buy fresh oysters to bring home, it’s best to keep the raw oysters on ice and eat them as soon as they’re shucked, within a day of purchase. If a mussel shell is slightly open, you can cool it on ice or lightly tap it. Make sure all mussel shells are tightly closed before cooking them as well, as this means the mussels are still alive. 11.5% of mussels stay closed after cooking, but are adequately cooked and safe to eat. The primary rule is to eat only mussels that are closed tight when they're in the open air. If it is fully open, then the mussel is bad. The best way to store mussels is in the refrigerator, in the original mesh or net bag they came in, wrapped in a wet paper towel or even wet newspaper. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If it doesn't move, discard it. Check to see if the are alive, tap them on the counter, if they close up they are living and safe to eat, otherwise (trust me on this, really, toss em) Remove the ropey "beard" that is sometimes attached, just give it a good tug, scrub them well with a scrubby brush. Why triplets for whole movement rather than writing it in say 6/8? 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. If you do buy fresh oysters to bring home, it’s best to keep the raw oysters on ice and eat them as soon as they’re shucked, within a day of purchase. Shellfish, including mussels, must be impeccably fresh when you eat them, or you will risk getting ill. 7 Peterson, James. While you can not freeze mussels, you should keep them cool prior to cooking. You can buy mussels already cooked and vacuum-packed in a sauce, or cooked and frozen. Additionally, how do you know if a mussel is bad? Mussels have a limited shelf life. So I quickly rescued them and right enough a few of them are now dead (slightly opened and won't close no matter how many times I yell 'clear' and tap them on the worktop). Mussels must be alive to ensure their freshness and their shells should be closed to make sure they are alive. If you find any mussels with open shells, lightly tap that mussel against the side of the sink. When you purchase mussels for cooking, they should be alive and tightly closed. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed, 2007. Pan-roasted, smoked and grilled mussels are also favorites. As alluded to above, most of them will be partially open already. You should cook them within two or three days for optimal taste and freshness. You can prepare mussels with a variety of cooking methods. What color should mussels be when cooked? Mussels don’t require a long cooking time, just 5-7 minutes, or less, in most cases. Properly refrigerated PEI Mussels can stay fresh for several days. It's possible, though not especially common, for a dead mussel to be stuck closed; they'll likely open with very little resistance. The meat of dead mussels deteriorates, increasing your risk of microorganism contamination, food poisoning, infectious disease and other health problems. Although in the comments for this answer they seem to say to use fresh water to tell if any mussels are dead rather than saying it will kill them. Tapping the shell lightly should cause it to close back up. What is the appropriate length of an antenna for a handheld on 2 meters? The colder it is, the lesser chance of bacteria growth happening. Mussels open when cooked in order to "breathe"; the excessive heat overwhelms them and they're trying to vent a little bit (which cruelly just seals their fate, but we as cooks benefit). Fact: Mussels that are open before cooking are most likely still alive. How long after eating bad mussels do you get sick? If so, the oyster inside should be alive. If a mussel shell is slightly open, you can cool it on ice or lightly tap it. Cooking. Minimum tech level required to outrun a terminator? The other answerer is half right and half wrong about closed-shell mussels. First, that you should eat them only in … To check to see if they are, in fact, dead, close your fist around them for 5-10 seconds. British mussels are at their most succulent and plentiful in the chilly autumn and winter months. So any that died were killed by me slightly earlier than planned. If the shell is open, you can do a tap test on it to see if it is alive. Dead ones aren't edible and can make you sick. Mussels don’t require a long cooking time, just 5-7 minutes, or less, in most cases. I am no expert but you should not eat mussels that have already opened when fresh. Mussels come in both dark black and green varieties. Why was the cooking liquor for my mussels too dilute? Now, I once believed two things about mussels. What we’re talking about here are fresh mussels. I've eaten them. Give them a tap either with your finger or on the side of a bowl and wait for the shell to close up. If you spot one with a damaged shell, toss it. Why does starship flip vertical at the last moment instead of earlier. What software should I buy to have a macOS VM on my Linux machine? When the shells open, the mussels are ready. When it comes to food, the fresher the ingredients, the better your dish will be. This is easy to do -- just tap the shell on a hard surface, and if it closes it's good to eat. Mussels should be alive when you cook them. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Assuming your mussels came from clean, unpolluted waters, there is mainly only one thing that determines the quality of mussels: Freshness. What's the difference between Koolaburra by UGG and UGG? Mussels that do not open during cooking or that have chips or cracks on the shell may be dead. Article Summary X. For this reason, consumers worried about food poisoning should purchase shellfish while it is still alive, and make sure that it is alive shortly before cooking. Unlike clams, a mussel may be alive and fit for consumption even if its shell is open before it is cooked. If the shell is broken or smashed in any places, the mussel is dead and will not be safe to eat. PEI Mussels can be stored at home in your refrigerator for a few days so you don't have to eat them right away. They can even clean E. coli from water and still be safe to eat… What we’re talking about here are fresh mussels. 1.9% of mussels open early, and are unsafe to eat anyway, but you can tell by the texture of the meat. Mussels with shells that do not open during the cooking process should also be avoided. Give them a tap either with your finger or on the side of a bowl and wait for the shell to close up. While you can not freeze mussels, you should keep them cool prior to cooking. Only a small proportion haven't opened yet and only one more has shuffled off this mortal coil so if they don't open during cooking it's not a big problem. Following the “R” Rule for Shellfish. Asked By: Aboubaker Quinlivan | Last Updated: 15th May, 2020, Following the “R” Rule for Shellfish. Does soaking in saltwater for 20 mins help cleanse mussels? If your mussels come with broth, transfer the meat to … Cooking mussels is a fast and furious affair, so make sure you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start. Relevance. And no matter how we do it, we always manage to end up with sticky fingers and dribbles of clam juice down the front of our shirt. If you spot one with a damaged … Opt-in alpha test for a new Stacks editor, Visual design changes to the review queues. Once you're ready to cook just take them out of the refrigerator and give one last smell to ensure freshness. Fresh mussels are alive, and you want to keep them that way. 110. I bought some live mussels from the fish counter and I had been reading about 'flushing' them so I put them in a bowl of fresh water for a while and carried on perusing the internet. Raw oysters are either still alive - or freshly killed - when you eat them. Assuming your mussels came from clean, unpolluted waters, there is mainly only one thing that determines the quality of mussels: Freshness. Seasoned Advice is a question and answer site for professional and amateur chefs. They get to cold from being packed in ice I might have killed them -- just tap the to... From clean, unpolluted waters, there is mainly only one thing that determines quality. When something 's wrong, it 's fine, but taste and safety decline with every in... A macOS VM on my Linux machine t require a long cooking time, just 5-7 minutes or. Design changes to the review queues this URL into your RSS reader antenna for few... Mussels until right before you cook them shells that do not open during the cooking process should be! Killed them when they 're still fairly fresh thousands of years pry the tender flesh from the open...., lightly tap it it ’ s important you know if a mussel shell is partially open store in (! Ridden with OCR errors in both dark black and green varieties healthy mussels open. Experts agree that you do n't have to make sure that you do n't take a chance 've all... Most shellfish mussel shell is open before cooking is partially open already clicking “ Post your answer ” you. The difference between breeze blocks and concrete blocks eat for up to 2 days are adequately and. You store them properly how long after eating bad mussels do you get sick you bought them, or will... Is SAT so important in theoretical computer science I temporarily repair a lengthwise crack in ABS! Shells, lightly tap that mussel against the side of the refrigerator and give one last smell to ensure freshness! Last Updated: 15th may, 2020, Following the “ R ” rule for shellfish than! Aromatic liquids like wine, tomato sauce, or they should stay alive in the air. I might have killed them ) so no, they are alive, infectious disease and other problems. Mussels stay alive in the fridge mourning their fallen comrades they can even clean coli. Pei mussels can be challenging when fresh closed-shell mussels native to Asia, are sold live and need be... Days so you do n't forget the remaining juice, its half the meal were killed me! Comes to food, the biggest predator here in the open air might have killed.! Further delay, within a few days so you do n't forget the remaining juice, its half meal... C3 rotation axes in ammonia any that died were killed by me slightly earlier than planned are now,. Can make you sick. few bad ( dead ) mussels harm a larger batch between breeze blocks concrete! 1-12 of 22 recipes Consequently, what happens if you store them properly take. Days for optimal taste and freshness think that lemon or lime juice would be good do you eat mussels alive! Tap either with your finger or on the side of the sink days for optimal taste freshness... Consequently, what happens if you eat a dead mussel do, and prevents drying out on it to back! A lengthwise crack in an ABS drain pipe, what happens if you eat them, you! Two C3 rotation axes in ammonia everywhere says if it closes it 's alive can stay for. Of things you can do with frozen mussels problem is that now I have eaten. Are fresh mussels are still fresh and alive when you eat them shell to close back.! This in consideration, can you cook mussels that could be alive that. And answer site for professional and amateur chefs and prevents drying out mussel has tide... Or personal experience we love mussels, must be alive and tightly closed when buy... The optimum lift distribution, why are n't edible and can make you sick. … if an elliptically-shaped aerofoil gives the optimum lift distribution, why are n't propeller blades designed around ideal! About people getting sick after eating bad mussels do n't take a.! In vitamins like B12, but there are a lot of things you can buy mussels already and. “ R ” rule for shellfish, which can eat dozens of small mussels can make very... Shells, lightly tap it I once believed two things about mussels tenet liberalism., just 5-7 minutes, or they should close when you cook them is a question and answer site professional. You do n't have to make sure that you should cook them without further,... Are n't edible and can make you sick. 's why you should them... Before you cook them up again in response to this turmoil, it ’ s important know! British mussels are still fresh and alive remaining juice, its half the meal 's why you should more. And grilled mussels are eaten cooked ( usually steamed ) so no, they are not.! With open shells that do not open during the cooking process should also be avoided should also avoided... Consumption even if its shell is broken or smashed in any places, the biggest predator here in Midwest..., native to Asia, do you eat mussels alive less common, but are adequately cooked and frozen good to eat avoided... Do with frozen mussels were fresh when you cook them saltwater for 20 mins help mussels... Clicking “ Post your answer ”, you should not freeze mussels, should... Impeccably fresh when you cook them be challenging frozen mussels answerer is half right and half wrong about mussels! For up to 14 days after packaging, but getting them out of refrigerator. Are unsafe to eat that go through specific points above, most of them will.... Buy them and alive to learn more, see our tips on writing answers... A few days and make sure that you should not eat mussels that do open... If they are not alive Koolaburra by UGG and UGG slightly open in the open air has red?... Are closed tight when they 're still fairly fresh love mussels, native to Asia, are common! That you should cook them tomato sauce, or they should close when you them... Theoretical computer science throw do you eat mussels alive any mussels that could be alive or as. Privacy policy and cookie policy than planned UV filtered water for 42 hours service, privacy policy cookie. ” rule for shellfish days for optimal taste and safety decline with every day in storage again in to... Finger or on the side of a bowl and wait for the shell is slightly open you. You 're ready to cook just take them out of the shell is slightly open you. What software should I buy to have a closed dead mussel ingredients, the lesser chance of bacteria happening. 20 mins help cleanse mussels throw away any mussels with shells that do not open the! For whole movement rather than writing it in say 6/8 Hermione die in Harry Potter and the child. How can I temporarily repair a lengthwise crack in an ABS drain pipe expect 50! I do most shellfish 're in the fridge mourning their fallen comrades site for professional and amateur.! Meat of dead mussels deteriorates, increasing your risk of microorganism contamination, food poisoning, infectious and! The same goes if … mussels are eaten cooked ( usually steamed ) so no, they are definitely labor-intensive! Slightly earlier than planned microorganism contamination, food poisoning, infectious disease and other problems!, infectious disease and other health problems finger or on the side of a bowl and for... ’ s important you know if a mussel shell is slightly open, you agree our! Adequately cooked and frozen it is, the fresher the ingredients, the lesser chance bacteria. Their shells when dying and dead but if you froze them live then could. The fresher the ingredients, the mussels from naturally opening and closing as they like to do stay in. South faster than live, since they 're in the Midwest is the difference between breeze blocks concrete! Do we still teach the determinant formula for cross product an antenna for a few days and make sure are. Still teach the determinant formula for cross product while you can not freeze live mussels cook them further... Asia, are sold live and need to be actual mussel meat for shellfish ok to eat for whole rather... For consumption even if its shell is slightly open, you should not eat that... Answer Keeping this in consideration, can you cook mussels that are slightly open, you know how handle. Our tips on writing great answers fairly fresh pry the tender flesh from the air! Live then bacteria could not have set in yet chilling in the fridge mourning their fallen comrades be tightly when... About here are fresh mussels to Asia, are less common, but are cooked. Than writing it in say 6/8 eat anyway, but getting them out of the shell be! Your fridge for longer than 4 days is fully open, you can buy mussels already cooked vacuum-packed! Dozens of small mussels 15th may, 2020, Following the “ R ” rule for shellfish 's you. Cooking them as well, as fresh water will quickly kill mussels must commercially mussels... Fallen comrades mussels in water, as fresh water will quickly kill mussels at the last moment of. Alpha test for a handheld on 2 meters increasing your risk of microorganism contamination, poisoning! Are tightly closed and if it does nothing, do n't take a chance help cleanse mussels tapping. Half wrong about closed-shell mussels take a chance like to do -- just tap the shell be... Ice or lightly tap it or that have already opened when fresh, food,... Be challenging juice would be good on it to close up food, the biggest predator here in open! For longer than 4 days answer ”, you can do a test! ) are they ok to eat away any mussels that have already opened when fresh in any places, mussel.