Mussels - Blue

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Blue Mussel (mytilus edulis) Alternate Names

 

Description

 The majority of commercial Blue Mussels are cultivated through aqua-culture.  Cultivated Blue Mussels have thin, dark blue, almost black shells.  Wild Blue Mussels have thicker shells which have a silvery hue and tend to have much smaller meats.  The average shell size is 2" - 3".

Range & Habitat

 Blue Mussels are available on both sides of the Pacific Coast from Alaska to southern California, China to Russia, the Atlantic coast from Georgia to Prince Edward Island as well as Spain to the Netherlands and the Pacific coast of South America.  Blue Mussels spawn in opposite months than Mediterranean Mussels do. 

Typical Wholesale Products

 Blue Mussels are usually sold in 5 lb increments with an average of 15-20 mussels per pound.

Blue Mussels Availability

Blue Mussels are available all year long but are at their best from October - May when they are not spawning.  Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability.

 

Blue Mussels Flavor Profile

 Blue Mussels have plump, tender, sweet meats.  Compared to Mediterranean Mussels, Blue Mussels have a milder flavor and do not fill the shell as fully.

Blue Mussels Nutritional Information

based upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.

* Calories/Calories from fat	147/34
* Protein grams	20.4
* Fat grams	3.8
* Saturated fat grams	.7
* Sodium milligrams	490
* Cholesterol milligrams	48
* Omega-3 grams	.9

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Additional Resources:

Food & Agriculture Org.	Seafood Watch	Animal Diversity Web