Mussels are a type of shellfish that is most commonly served in many restaurants. They have two hard shells outside and soft tissue inside. They are rich in many nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B-12, which help in various blood circulation issues and weight loss.
If you love raw oysters’ taste, then you must try raw mussels. Mussels have a milder flavour than briny oysters, and they are also a little chewier.
However, when it comes to eating them raw, many people eat mussels as taboo, while others simply find it risky. So, are you confused about where you should go, eating them raw or cooked? Well, in this article, we are going to provide you with information on many of your questions related to mussels, and the answer may surprise you.
Can you eat raw mussels? Yes, mussels can be eaten raw, but one must be aware of the harmful effects related to eating them raw. Their risk is similar to eating a raw oyster. Many of the restaurants have been serving raw mussels as a pleasant food for many years. However, you must be very careful about the precautions before eating them.
Many people love the taste of raw mussels because it gives them a sense of thrill like no other. People who have already tasted raw mussels reported that they have a subtle sea salt-like flavour with the combination of seaweed and mushroom-like. Even when they are eaten fresh, they give a delightful taste.
They can also be combined with some hearty ingredients because they have a very light flavour. Some other people also love them simply by adding some herbs to accentuate the taste. They have a firm texture and are chewable.
Can you eat raw fresh mussels?
Yes, fresh mussels just right after picking can be eaten. However, if you want a firm guarantee that the fresh mussels are free from toxins, viruses, bacteria, pesticides and everything else, then it’s not possible to get them. With little care and effort, you can minimize the effects and can enjoy this yummiest dish.
Most people ignore the benefits related to mussels because they accumulate high levels of toxins, but if they are taken with precautions, they can be dangerous. But the good way to consume them is to cook them as it will help get rid of bacteria such as vibrio.
Why don’t people eat raw mussels?
Mussels have a very mild ocean flavour with a sweet mushroom-like undertone. Their subtle taste makes an excellent addition to many dishes. With this, they are also very nutritious and a great source of protein, folate, zinc and Omega 3 fatty acids. However, many people don’t think to eat raw mussels because they are the key to food poisoning if they are not cleaned properly.
Raw mussels also increase the risk of underlying medical conditions, including; liver cancer.
Mussels are considered one of the species at the bottom of the food chain. Despite their nutritional value, they can cause many infections because of what mussels eat during their lifetime.
Can you get sick from fresh mussels?
Yes, you can get sick of eating raw mussels, but it’s not raw mussels that make you sick; it’s the bacteria present on them that can result in illness. The bacteria present on raw mussels cause a condition called Vibriosis. This condition is also famous for seafood poisoning.
There are many symptoms of food poisoning that are usually expressed 12 hours or two days after eating raw mussels. You may suffer from one or all symptoms depending on the number of mussels you consumed and also on their quality.
These include some of the following;
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
- Watery diarrhoea
- Chills
Mussels should not be eaten during the summer seasons because there are more chances to suffer from food poisoning and even worse during this period of the year. If you get sick after eating them, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, store the leftover mussel for testing.
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Are there any good effects of eating raw mussels?
Yes, if we talk about the nutrition facts of raw mussels, then they are perfect for consumption. Among the shellfish available, they are often considered top-notch when it comes to nutritional benefits. They contain high levels of fatty acids; some are DHA and EPA.
They are also a great source of providing folic acid, iron, and zinc good for your health. Just one thing to care about is cleaning them properly to get rid of bacteria present on them and avoid eating too many of them.
Some of the health benefits of raw mussels include;
- Boost the immune system
- Prevent blood vessel blockage
- Regulate heartbeat and improve heart health
- Aid in brain development
- Regulate blood pressure
- Overcome inflammation in joints and from other parts of the body
If any of you want to enjoy the benefits of mussels but are afraid of their harmful effects, you can soak them in vinegar with pepper, salt, onion, water and other herbs and spices. Let them sit in the refrigerators for almost three hours before eating them. It will greatly help to reduce the virus.
How can you tell if mussels are edible?
Before eating them, you must check mussels, whether they are edible or not. You should always buy a mussel that is alive and must have a light and salty odour; the ones with a strong or fishy smell are not edible.
There are some simple steps to ensure that they are audible or not.
Shells of mussels: Shell will determine whether they can be consumed or not. After picking them, tap them or press them to check that they are alive; if they don’t close, this is the sign that the mussel is dead, so it must be discarded.
The odour of mussels: Their smell is also a great indicator to check them. If they have a strange odour, it’s an indicator that they are not fresh or dead. They must have a light, salty odour.
Mussels must be opened when they are cooking, so you must consider appropriate cooking to open their shells. But when they do not open their shells while cooking, then you should not eat them, and they must be discarded.
Can you freeze mussels?
Yes, you can freeze mussels but be careful while doing so. Before freezing, make sure that the mussels that you are going to freeze are fresh. However, seafood experts suggest eating them soon after buying them, but if you still want to store them, then best to store them only for one day.
It’s best to store mussels at the bottom of the refrigerator and cover them properly with a damp cloth, or you may wrap them in a wet newspaper. It is possible while cooking frozen mussels that they may open in transit, BUT they are perfectly safe to prepare and eat.
What happens if you eat dead mussels?
Mussels that do not open their shells while cooking is dead. The meat of dead mussels can be risky for your health. If eaten dead, they deteriorate, increasing the risk of microorganisms’ contamination, infectious disease, food poisoning and other health problems.
What happens if you eat a raw mussel?
New Zealand food authorities have reported that eating raw mussels can be dangerous because Vibrio parahaemolyticus is bacteria found in mussels that can cause food poisoning. It can further result in severe vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and some other symptoms.
The most common type of food poisoning because of eating raw mussels includes Salmonella and vibrio vulnificus.
So be careful while eating them raw; however, the people who are pregnant, have low immunity, or are elderly should avoid eating raw mussels as the illness can be more severe.
Can I eat wild mussels?
Yes, you can eat wild mussels, but you will need more care and effort to minimize the risk. After picking, check them to make sure that they are alive, scrub them under running water and cook them well. Just with little more care, you can enjoy this super, beneficial wild food.
Interesting facts of mussels:
- Mussels have been cultivated for about 800 years in Europe and have been used as a source of food for more than 20,000 years.
- They are usually sold for between $5 and $12 per kilo.
- Mussels live on the shoreline and can be found all over the world.
- They can live around 80 to 90 years in suitable habitats.
- To survive in harsh tidal areas, they seal their shells by closing their valves and tapping water inside.
- Their size varies from season to season, and they are largest in October and smallest in March.
- The mantle (inner eatable part) of the lady mussel is orange, and gents have creamy white colour.
- Mussels feed on plankton, and to do this, and they can filter up to 65 litres of water a day.
- They taste delicious with nutritious value and are low in sodium and saturated fats—moreover, a great source of providing zinc, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and iron.
- They can provide you with more protein than beef, less fat, many more mineral nutrients and a quarter of calories.