Mussels are what?

One of the delicious delicacies, extracted from the sea depths. It has such a rich vitamin composition and original taste that it was eaten even by the ancient Greeks. Modern people, who adhere to a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, have long included mussels in their diet. What is the sea mussel, what is their use and how to prepare them? Let's find out!

Scientific definition

Mussels are sea mollusks belonging to the family Mytilius, a class of bivalves. In total, six species of these organisms are known, among which there are edible species. Mussels live in all the seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Their habitat is a littoral zone (tidal), where sandy or stony soils prevail. At low tide, mollusks thrown ashore are attached to small stones in groups, thereby reducing overheating. 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: the size and structure of mussels

Mussels are mollusks with an elongated wedge-like shape, on average their size ranges from 3 to 7 cm. The mussel shell usually has a darkish color of greenish or brown hue, the inner surface is covered with a pearlescent layer. The structure of mussels resembles the arrangement of a scallop: they also have a two-folded form, that is, the inside of the mussels is in two halves of one shell, which opens and closes during tides. Thanks to this structure mussels can survive on the shore until the next tide, after all, when their wave throws them on the stones, the shell shells tightly close, thereby keeping the sufficient amount of water in the inner mantle cavity for several days.

Biological purpose

Recently, numerous discussions have begun on the topic of the benefits and harms of mussels. The matter is that mussels are natural cleaners of the oceans, in other words, they are a filter. For a day, one mussel is able to pass through itself about 90 liters of sea water, keeping inside any biomass (plankton and detritus). It is because of the sestonofagic eating habits that some people consider mussels harmful to the human body, however scientific studies have proven the opposite: zoo and phytoplankton eaten in food are processed in thin-lattice gills, and then completely absorbed by mussels (ie, no bacteria sit in Mantle cavity of mussels).

Mussels can often be confused with scallops, because they are both very similar in appearance and lead an approximately equal lifestyle. The shell of the sea scallop and mussels is a natural cleaner of the World Ocean. This fact served as an impetus to the fact that these mollusks were grown artificially for the purification and filtration of sea water.

Composition and useful properties

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

• Magnesium (Mg) - is involved in important vital processes: glucose uptake, energy production, bone tissue building.
• Potassium (K) - is responsible for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system and muscle tissue, regulates blood pressure and participates in the removal of toxins from the intestine.
• Calcium (Ca) - is involved in the formation of bone tissue (teeth, skeleton), its lack leads to osteoporosis (brittle bones).
• Vitamin A - is responsible for the functioning of the immune system, is involved in the regeneration of the skin, the amount of it depends on how effectively the organism will fight against infection and viruses.
• Groups of vitamins B (B ₃ , B ₅ , B ₆ ) - are indispensable in the processes of energy production, distribution and transfer, participate in the formation of the visual system. It is proved that the lack of these elements leads to emotional disorders (sudden mood swings, fast fatigue, frequent stress due to trifles).
• Vitamin E - is involved in the metabolism, improves the metabolic process, the amount of elasticity in the skin depends on its amount, which means that with the lack of vitamin E, the aging processes are accelerated.

Similarity of scallops and mussels is that they have similar chemical composition in many respects. Although from the scientific point of view, they have many differences (for example, mussels are practically immobile, and scallops can move due to the impulsive pattern of movements).

Preparation of mussels for consumption

Mussel meat is a dietary product containing only 50 kcal per 100 g of product, therefore this delicacy is not contraindicated even for those who have problems with excess weight. The main element is a protein enriched with phosphatides, and a useful fat that has a beneficial effect on the visual system. So, how to clean the mussels and cook them at home?

There are several ways of cooking mussels: it is frying directly on an open fire, cooking in a saucepan or adding to salads in raw form. In any case, it is necessary to clean them from the sink. The best way to do this is as follows: first, pick out the unspoiled mussels and soak them in a container with running water to get rid of sand and small debris. After 20 minutes you can start the process of clearing the mussels: we clean the surface of the shells with a brush using a brush, and then gently pull the "beard" (this is the accumulation of fibers by which the mussels are attached to pebbles).

Recipes of dishes with mussels

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

For the preparation of fried mussels, 200 g of shellfish, 1 medium-sized onion, will be needed. Oil - 70 grams, greens, cardamom and a few spices (black pepper or Italian herbs).
Step 1. Prepare the mussels, clean the shells. Onion cut into cubes, add cardamom to it.

Step 2. Put the butter in the heated frying pan, wait until it melts, and then add the mussels meat and prepared onion. Fry over medium heat for no more than 7 minutes. Salt and pepper.

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

This appetizer in combination with lemon juice or wine sauce will be a real decoration of any table!