Mussels - what is it?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

One of the most delicious delicacies extracted from the depths of the sea. It has such a rich vitamin composition and original taste that even the ancient Greeks ate it. Modern people who adhere to a he althy lifestyle and diet have long included mussels in their diet. What are sea mussels, what are their benefits and how to cook them? Let's find out!

Scientific definition

Mussels are marine mollusks belonging to the Mytilius family, a class of bivalves. In total, 6 varieties of these organisms are known, among which there are edible species. Mussels live in all seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Their habitat is the littoral (tidal) zone, dominated by sandy or rocky soils. At low tide, shellfish thrown ashore are attached to small stones in groups, thereby reducing overheating. Indeed, in summer, the evaporation of water from a large number of mussel shells occurs faster than from the surface of the shells of a small colony.

Distinctive features: size and structure of mussels

Mussels are elongated wedge-shaped mollusks, on average their size ranges from 3 to 7 cm.covered with pearlescent layer. The structure of mussels resembles the structure of a scallop: they also have a double-leaf shape, that is, the inside of mussels is in two halves of one shell, which opens and closes during high and low tides. Thanks to this structure, mussels manage to survive on the shore until the next high tide, because when they are thrown onto stones by a wave, the shell valves close tightly, thereby maintaining a sufficient supply of water in the inner mantle cavity for several days.

Biological purpose

Recently, numerous discussions have flared up on the topic of the benefits and harms of mussels. The fact is that mussels are natural cleaners of the oceans, in other words, they are a filter. During the day, one mussel is able to pass through itself about 90 liters of sea water, holding any bio-garbage inside (plankton and detritus). It is precisely because of the sestonophagous way of eating that some consider the mussel to be harmful to the human body, however, scientific studies have proven the opposite: the zoo- and phytoplankton eaten are processed in finely latticed gills, and then completely absorbed by the mussels (i.e., no bacteria sit in mussel mantle cavity).

Mussels can often be confused with scallops, because they are both very similar in appearance and lead approximately the same lifestyle. The scallop and mussel shell is a natural purifier of the oceans. This fact was the impetus for the fact that these mollusks were grown artificially for cleaning and filtering.sea waters.

Composition and useful properties

The beneficial properties of mussels are due to the fact that they contain a number of useful trace elements and minerals:

• Magnesium (Mg) - is involved in important life processes: absorption of glucose, energy production, building bone tissue.
• Potassium (K) - is responsible for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system and muscle tissue, regulates blood pressure and is involved in the removal of toxins from the intestines.
• Calcium (Ca) - is involved in the formation of bone tissue (teeth, skeleton), its deficiency leads to osteoporosis (bone fragility).
• Vitamin A - is responsible for the functioning of the immune system, is involved in the regeneration of the skin, how effectively the body will fight infection and viruses depends on its amount.
• Vitamin B groups (B₃, B₅, B_{6) are indispensable in the production processes, distribution and transfer of energy, are involved in the formation of the visual system. It has been proven that the lack of these elements leads to emotional disorders (sudden mood swings, fatigue, frequent stress due to small things).}
• Vitamin E - is involved in metabolism, improves the metabolic process, skin elasticity depends on its amount in the body, which means that with a lack of vitamin E, aging processes are accelerated.

The similarities between scallop and mussels are that in many ways they have a similar chemical composition. Although scientifically they have many differences (for example, musselslead an almost immobile lifestyle, and scallops can move due to the impulsive way of movement).

Preparing mussels for eating

Mussel meat is a dietary product containing only 50 kcal per 100 g of product, so this delicacy is not contraindicated even for those who have problems with being overweight. The main element is protein enriched with phosphatides and he althy fat, which has a beneficial effect on the visual system. So how do you peel mussels and cook them at home?

There are several ways to cook mussels: frying directly on an open fire, boiling in a saucepan or adding raw to salads. In any case, it is necessary to clean them from the sink. The best way to do this is as follows: first, unspoiled mussels should be selected and soaked in a container of running water to get rid of sand and small debris. After 20 minutes, you can begin the process of cleaning mussels: under running water, use a brush to clean the surface of the shells, and then gently pull the "beard" (this is a cluster of fibers that attach mussels to pebbles).

Recipes with mussels

Mussel meat has a delicate taste, which, combined with the right sauce, will not leave indifferent even the most spoiled gourmet. Mussels are becoming more and more popular every day, and in each country they are prepared in their own way. Here are the best mussel meat recipes from world-class chefs!

To prepare fried mussels, you will need 200 g of clams, 1 medium-sized onion, cl. oil - 70 g, herbs, cardamom and some spices (black pepper or Italian herbs). Step 1. Prepare the mussels, peel them. Cut the onion into cubes, add cardamom to it.

Step 2. Put the butter in a preheated pan, wait until it melts, and then add the mussel meat and prepared onions. Fry over medium heat for no more than 7 minutes. S alt and pepper.

Step 3. Sprinkle the finished dish with herbs and serve hot.

Such an appetizer combined with lemon juice or wine sauce will be a real decoration of any table!