Mussels Too Plump

[puff_not_snuff]

I like to go out for mussels a couple times a month (don't really cook them home that much despite it being rather easy) and have noticed in the last two months that the PEI mussels served to me are much more plump than in winter. Do mussels tend to be bigger in warmer months? I don't know about you but I actually prefer my bivalves on the small side.

 

[MattRVA]

I’ve heard only to eat shellfish in months that end in an “r” but I’ve never followed that warning. I definitely like mussels but it has been a while since I’ve had them. I’m interested what others have to say.

 

[kcghost]

The expression is months that contain an "r" not end in "r", So you can eat them in January - April as well September through December. I have no explanation for the size difference you are noting.

 

[MattRVA]

The expression is months that contain an "r" not end in "r", So you can eat them in January - April as well September through December. I have no explanation for the size difference you are noting.

Thanks.

 

[mawnansmiff]

My father used to make a gorgeous mussel soup, really creamy.

When I first moved here (Cornwall) in 1988, I was wandering around a local beach at low tide and spied loads of fat mussels clinging to the rocks.

I gathered as many as I could fit into my hat and hurried home to cook them.

That was a momentous day inasmuch as the first time I ever had food poisoning and the last time I ate mussels

Regards,

Jay.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Had some terrific mussels at an Italian spot over the weekend. The mussels themselves were small but very tender - and the broth was mind blowing.
The calamari was insane too.

 

[UB 40]

I don’t know about why you’re getting suddenly plumb mussels. But the thing with the “r” in months to preferable consumption of mussels refer to former times, when the cold chain of seafood couldn’t get guaranteed (in summer). Still some connoisseurs and gastronomes say autumn and winter is the time, when they are the best.

 

[mawnansmiff]

My Mother always told me to remove the 'beard' from inside the mussel, apparently it's poisonous.....at least that what she told me.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[JackOrion]

Oysters plump up through the winter until they spawn and then deplete themselves during the warmer months. Thus the suggestion to only eat them in the months ending in R. There are many myths attached to oysters, such as aphrodisiac qualities. But the spawn cycle is real and there are difference s throughout the year. Not to mention where they are grown and how the are handled, which greatly affects the qualities of an oyster.

Mussels on the other hand are far more self sustaining and wild than an oyster. They’ll obviously go through a spawn cycle as well but the growing practices are pretty much leave em alone and let them grow. PEI region produces great mussels. My guess is the mussels being harvested are older strings. My seafood purveyor pulls in mussels from a couple different locations and there usually is a size difference in meat and shell.
I don’t get nearly as picky about mussels or clams as I do oysters. Not just based on price but qualities alone. Oysters are all over the place in flavor and texture. I can go on and on about oysters.

 

[anotherbob]

I like to go out for mussels a couple times a month (don't really cook them home that much despite it being rather easy) and have noticed in the last two months that the PEI mussels served to me are much more plump than in winter. Do mussels tend to be bigger in warmer months? I don't know about you but I actually prefer my bivalves on the small side.

from what I can see no but where they're harvested from can make a difference. So my bet is they're getting them from a different source at different times of the year.

I’ve heard only to eat shellfish in months that end in an “r” but I’ve never followed that warning. I definitely like mussels but it has been a while since I’ve had them. I’m interested what others have to say.

old school thing. In the summer months mussels could be exposed to toxic algae blooms and make you sick. Which still can happen but not with modern monitoring and testing. Plus that's when they mate so it's also about having more mussels later.

 

[mortonbriar]

We pick our mussels fat in New Zealand, you need muscles to carry a sack of mussels. When i am living in Canada I consider the mussels available small and flavourless, but there is a certain patriotic arrogance that comes with homesickness, and that is usually part of what is going on...

 

[mawnansmiff]

We pick our mussels fat in New Zealand, you need muscles to carry a sack of mussels. When i am living in Canada I consider the mussels available small and flavourless, but there is a certain patriotic arrogance that comes with homesickness, and that is usually part of what is going on...

Years ago we used to buy New Zealand green lipped mussels. Now they were huge compared to the piddly things found around here. Damned tasty they were too.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[canucklehead]

I like them the same way I like my calamari, overcooked and chewy.

 

[bullet08]

Just stick it with a fork and let it bleed a bit before eating. Do they bleed?

 

[gamzultovah]

Am I in the right thread?