They continue to wonder what does mussels taste like, but are not sure enough to eat it. Does Parsley Taste Good? Mussels have a high value of long-chain fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are beneficial for brain functioning. It may also be worth looking at some other foods and what they will taste like. Mussels are filter feeders that filter microscopic aquatic life, such as plankton, from the water around them. They are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fats, which is a great plus point for weight- loss. Freshwater mussels would taste like chewing on rubber, Richard says. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4. They vary in their adult sizes from those as small as a thumbnail to others as big as a pie plate. Mussels contain a small amount of liquid, so steaming doesn't require the addition of any extra liquid. Does Mahi Mahi Taste Good? Stuffed mussels are easy to make and can become a quick delish evening snack. Although the name "freshwater pearl mussel" is often used for this species, other freshwater mussel species can also create pearls and some can also be used as a source of mother of pearl. This closeup shows a mussels’ inhalant aperture, used to filter small organic particles, such as bacteria, algae, and detritus, out of the water column and into their gill chambers. The filtering action improves water quality and cleanses lakes and streams. When cooked correctly, the texture of mussels is tender and slightly chewy – they’re firmer than a scallop but softer than clams. They usually come in dark black coloured shells and are almost oval in shape. Why Whisky Lovers Like It So Much. Yes No. Females brood eggs in modified sections of the gills, called marsupia, where they develop into bivalved larvae, called glochidia, bearing a pair of hooks on the apex of each shell valve. What Do Mussels Taste Like Mussels taste of the sea, slightly salty not unlike other shellfish such as prawns, cockles or clams. They have a dark covered shell on top that is oval in shape and is semi-circular on top. If you haven’t tried mussels you are definitely missing out. After the freshwater mussels have been purged , the shells can be opened by steaming them in a frying pan on high with about ¼ inch water on the bottom. They can live from about 10 to 40 years. Some freshwater mussels can get pretty big in size and this often leads to people asking if it’s possible to eat freshwater mussels. What Do Figs Taste Like? (Are They Good?). Since freshwater mussels filter the water, a clear body of water would suggest that the ecosystem has a healthy number of mussels living in it. Mussels are bivalves, like clams and oysters, that live in both saltwater and freshwater habitats. Food filters out of the water, an… One of the tastiest and easiest ways to make fresh mussels is to steam them with white wine, butter, shallots, garlic, chicken stock, and heavy cream. Source: reference.com. They will tell you when the mussels came in and how to transport them home and how to store them. Keep a tong handy to take out mussels as soon as they open. With names like Carolina heelsplitter, dwarf wedgemussel, Appalachian monkeyface, Atlantic pigtoe, Appalachian elktoe, wavy-rayed lampmussel and pistolgrips, mussels are an interesting testament to the sometimes-bizarre imaginations of those who coined the terms, primarily fishermen who harvested them for a thriving pearl button industry. Like many other shellfish, they are cultivated and caught in the wild to serve as food for humans, and they also have a number of predators in the natural environment. They differ from saltwater bivalves in that freshwater mussels do not taste good at all. Mussels grow naturally in salt and freshwater but are also grown artificially using suspended ropes in water. Their texture is chewy but soft and tender, they have natural ocean flavor rather than too salty like clams have. Be it their mysterious life style and nature or their taste, seafood items are equally intriguing to all cooks worldwide. You do not have to do much flavoring to a mussel because they come from the ocean they have an excellent fresh taste. Check The Review is a free resource that offers in-depth guides on kitchen products such as bakeware, cookware, knives, and more. Aboriginals also used mussel shells as tools. Mussels have a very mild “ocean” flavor with a faintly sweet, mushroom-like undertone. Mussels come in a variety of options, each differing in taste and size. A freshwater mussel has a tooth on the inside of each shell or valve. I have seen mussel dishes in restaurants, and I have always been put off by the fishy smell which seemed to me quite intense.