Mussels are seafood to be consumed quickly because they do not last very long, in addition to this, some mussels can have an unappetizing appearance which does not necessarily make you want to eat them. They may be expired or simply not fresh.
In this article, we will look at the different signs that show that a mussel is not good to eat. These signs are important to know if you are a regular mussel consumer and don’t want to get sick after a little feast.
1. Examine the general appearance of the molds
One of the first criteria is to look at the overall appearance of the molds. Here are a few tips
Check if the shell is properly closed. If they don’t close when you tap them lightly, they are probably dead and therefore unsafe to eat.
Observe the color of the flesh: it should be shiny and slightly transparent. A dull, dry, or dark appearance may indicate that they are bad.
Also make sure the shells are free of breaks and cracks, as these can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria inside the mussels.
2. Smell the mussels
The sense of smell is also essential for judging the quality of mussels. They should give off a fresh, salty smell, close to that of the sea. Mussels that smell very bad or have an acidic smell should be thrown away. Additionally, a slightly ammoniacal smell may mean that they are not completely bad yet, but it is also recommended to throw them away to avoid any risk of food poisoning.
How do you know if mussels are expired?
There is a very simple trick to check if your mussels are expired or fresher. All you have to do is prepare a pot of cold water and put your mussels in it. If the mussels sink to the bottom of the water, they are fresh and edible. Conversely, if some mussels float in the cold water of your pan, this means that the mussels are expired or fresher. They are therefore not edible and we recommend that you throw away all of your mussels in this case.
Buying seasonal mussels is also a good idea to avoid unpleasant surprises and expired or not fresh mussels. Please follow the mussel season according to species and varieties.
If you have doubts about the freshness of your mussels, we recommend that you try this quick tip before starting to cook your mussels.
Check if your mussels are good while cooking
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There are several cooking methods to check if the mussels are good and ready for consumption:
Classic marinière cooking: in a saucepan, brown shallots and white wine before adding the cleaned and rinsed mussels. Once the shells are opened, they are ready to serve.
Other cooking variants: steamed, grilled, or gratinated. In all cases, as with the marinière, mussels that have not opened after cooking should be thrown away.
Finally, choose molds from a reliable source, such as recognized merchants or well-stocked supermarkets, to ensure better quality.
On the same subject: the difference between liter and kilo mold
Frozen mussels can they still be eaten?
As convenient as freezing preservation is, it requires some specific tests to know if frozen mussels are still good to eat:
Check the expiration date on the packaging, and never eat frozen mussels that have passed this date.
Inspect the mussels for obvious signs of deterioration, such as broken, dark, or odorous shells.
Pay attention to how they have been stored: if you have the slightest doubt about the quality of the freezer, avoid eating them.
When defrosting, throw away any mussels that look suspicious or smell bad.
Can I refreeze mussels?
Be aware that refreezing thawed mussels is dangerous because it encourages the proliferation of harmful bacteria. It is therefore recommended to always eat the mussels once they have been thawed and never put them back in the freezer. Conversely, be aware that it is possible to eat mussels until the day after cooking. After these 24 hours, you should throw away your mussels or freeze them.
What are the risks if you eat mussels that are not good?
Eating mussels that are unfit for consumption can cause various health problems:
Mild to severe food poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever
In some cases, massive ingestion of contaminated mussels can cause poisoning by marine toxins, called “seafood poisoning”; These symptoms may include muscle pain, headache, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, paralysis or respiratory distress.
Eating bad mussels regularly can also lead to a general deterioration in health, as they lose their nutritional properties and carry bacteria that are harmful to the body.
To avoid these problems, it is imperative to always check the condition of the mussels before cooking them, following the advice mentioned above. As tasty as mussels are, make sure to always prioritize health safety before any recipe or tasting!
