How to tell if frozen mussels are good?
I live a far distance from any body of salt water, so the only mussels available are packaged frozen mussels.
I have always heard that cooked mussels must open or they are not good to eat, but when we cooked the frozen mussels only a few opened. I went ahead and ate them anyways, they tasted fine and did not make me sick.
Is it normal for frozen mussels to not open their shells when cooked? If it is normal, is there a way to tell if they are safe to eat?
Best Answer
'You shouldn't eat mussels that don't open' is an unfounded myth. It was first mentioned in a book by the British food writer Jane Grigson in the 1970s and grew through repetition to the point that 90% of cook books mentioned it in the 1990s.
The fact is, mussels that don't open after cooking are more likely to be safe than those that do.
You should, however, be careful to remove any mussels that have opened before cooking, as they'll be dead and likely to make you ill.
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Quick Answer about "How to tell if frozen mussels are good?"
How to tell if frozen mussels are no longer good? If dry spots or discolorations have developed on the frozen mussels, freezer burn has begun to set in - this will not make the frozen mussels unsafe to eat, but it will harm the texture and taste.How do you know if a mussel is bad?
They should close by themselves, and although some might close slowly, they are still good and alive. If they do not close, throw them out. Discard all mussels that have broken shells or an unpleasant odor, as well as any that feel unusually heavy or light compared to the rest.How long are mussels good in the freezer?
How long do raw mussels last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only - mussels that have been kept constantly frozen at 0\xb0F will keep safe indefinitely.Are mussels good after being frozen?
But when kept in the freezer, frozen fresh mussels could keep for 4 months or so. We recommend consuming the mussels quickly for optimal flavor.Should frozen mussels smell fishy?
the should smell slightly fishy and salty, but not of strong fish smell. Scrub with a brush in cold water. Don't leave them soaking in tap water as it will kill the mussels.Are Frozen Mussels Just As Good? | Lime \u0026 Garlic Mussel
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