Maximus Gage
Steamed mussels are a delicious treat, but they can be a challenge to eat. They are often served in the shell, leaving many people wondering how to get the edible part into their mouths without making a mess. Mussels are typically served in a skillet, in a bowl with broth, or with seafood pasta. When eating mussels, it is important to remember that the beard and the shell are the inedible parts. While it is considered unusual, it is acceptable to remove all the mussels from their shells before eating. Eating mussels with your fingers, a fork, and a spoon is an option. In some countries, like France, it is also common to use an empty mussel shell as a tool to scoop out the meat from other shells.
How to eat steamed mussels
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eating utensils | Fingers, fork, spoon |
| Eating process | Break first shell in half and use it as a spoon to scoop out the meat from the other shells |
| Empty shells | Use the lid of the pot as a receptacle for empty shells |
| Broth | Fill the shell with a little bit of broth and suck the mussel and broth directly from the shell |
| Meat | Pull the meat out with a fork and use it to scrape around the bottom of the meat to remove it from the shell |
| First bite | Transfer the meat from your fork to a spoon and dip it into the broth |
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What You'll Learn
Eating mussels with your hands
Choosing and Preparing Mussels:
Before preparing mussels, check that they are alive and fresh. Tap or squeeze the mussels, and if they are alive, they will close. Fresh mussels should smell pleasantly of the sea, not fishy. Choose smaller mussels, as they tend to be sweeter and more succulent.
To prepare, rinse the mussels under cold running water, and scrub away any barnacles if desired. Pinch and tug away the 'beard', the stringy thread on the side of the shell. Squeeze any open mussels, and discard those that remain open or have broken shells.
Steaming Mussels:
Steaming is a popular way to cook mussels. They can be steamed in a white wine broth, or you can make a sauce with butter, white wine, and lemon, perhaps adding some feta cheese.
Eating with Your Hands:
When eating mussels with your hands, it is typical to hold the shell in your dominant hand. Lift one mussel from the dish, gripping it from the base with the open side of the shell facing outward. Use a fork to loosen the meat, and then gently pry the tender flesh from the open shell with your free hand. You can also use your empty mussel shell as a tool to scoop out the meat from subsequent mussels.
If your mussels are served with broth, fill the shell with a small amount of broth, and then suck the mussel and broth directly from the shell. Enjoy the small amount of meat juice inside the shell. If your mussels are served without broth, you may be provided with a rinse bowl for your fingers.
Table Manners:
When eating mussels, it is essential to follow proper table manners. Use a separate bowl or plate for your empty shells, or place them back onto your plate or bowl if none is provided. Keep plenty of napkins on hand, as eating mussels can be a messy affair!
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Using utensils to eat mussels
Steamed mussels are a lot of fun to eat and can be consumed in a variety of ways. Here is a guide on how to use utensils to eat mussels:
Preparing the mussels
Before eating, mussels should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed in a colander with cold water. Check for any opened mussels and discard those that do not close when tapped gently against the counter. Also, remove the 'beard' or stringy fibres from the shell by pulling them out or cutting them off with a small knife.
Using utensils
Mussels are often served in the shell, and you can use a fork and spoon to eat them. Lift one mussel from the dish and grip it from the base with the open side of the shell facing outward. Use a fork to gently pry the tender flesh from the shell, being careful not to stab your hand. You can also use your empty shell as a tool to scoop out the meat from other shells, which is common in countries like France.
Eating with broth
If your mussels are served with broth, transfer the meat from your fork to a spoon and dip it into the broth before eating. You can also fill the shell with a little broth and suck the mussel and broth directly from it, using a fork to loosen the meat if needed. Always provide bread to soak up the delicious broth and plenty of napkins for a mess-free experience.
Creative combinations
While steamed mussels are commonly served with crusty bread, you can also get creative with your sides and sauces. Try dipping your mussels in a butter, white wine, and lemon sauce, or add some feta cheese for a salty kick. For a heartier meal, serve your mussels with creamy gigante beans and feta, or pair them with French fries to soak up the juices.
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How to eat mussels like the French
Eating mussels can be a challenge, especially when they are served in the shell. But there are ways to eat them elegantly, just like the French. Here is how to eat mussels like a true Parisian:
First, when your steaming pot of mussels arrives, turn the lid over and use it as a receptacle for the empty shells. Then, pick up a nice-sized mussel with your fingers. You can use a fork, but it is quite acceptable to use your fingers, and this is the French way. Pull the meat out with your fingers or a fork. Now you have an empty shell, use it as pincers to pull out the meat from the next mussel. You can also use the shell as a spoon to scoop out the meat. Don't forget to slurp up the sauce or broth in the shell.
The French often eat mussels with a side of French fries, known as 'moules frites'. This is a classic combination. The broth that accompanies the mussels is perfect for dipping your baguette into, or for enjoying with a glass of crisp white wine or cider.
If you want to prepare mussels like the French, there are some classic recipes to try. Moules marinières is a traditional French style of cooking mussels, with a pool of flavorful liquid at the bottom of the pot, perfect for dipping crusty bread into. You can also add some cream, garlic aioli, or butter to fortify the dish. Moules à la crème is another French recipe, and you will also find moules au camembert and moules au Roquefort on menus.
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Table manners while eating mussels
Mussels are often served in the shell, leaving many wondering how to eat them without making a mess. Here is a guide to table manners while eating mussels:
Using Cutlery
Use a fork to remove the mussel meat from the shell. You can then dip the meat into the broth or sauce provided and eat it in one bite. If you are eating mussels with seafood pasta, use your fork to gather a bite of noodles before popping the mussel into your mouth.
Using Your Hands
Anywhere besides a formal dinner, it is acceptable to eat mussels with your hands. Pick up the shell with the open side facing outward and fill it with a little broth. Then, bring the shell to your mouth and suck the mussel and broth directly from the shell. This allows you to enjoy the juices, too.
Using an Empty Shell
Although not considered polite in American fine dining, it is common in countries like France to use an empty mussel shell as a tool. After eating the meat from the first mussel, you can use that shell to pluck the meat from subsequent mussels. Use one half of the shell as a spoon and insert it into the next mussel to scoop out the meat.
Empty Shells
Place empty shells in a bowl or on a plate provided for this purpose. If no bowl is provided, you can balance the shells on the side of your plate.
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Preparing mussels before eating
Selecting mussels
When selecting mussels to purchase, it is important to ensure they are fresh. Look for mussels that are kept on ice and have shiny, closed shells that are not damaged. An open shell is an indication that the mussel may be dead and should not be consumed. If you are buying mussels in bulk, avoid purchasing if lots of shells are open.
Storing mussels
Once you have purchased your mussels, it is important to store them correctly. Mussels are sold live, so they should be kept in the coldest part of your refrigerator. They can be stored for up to two days if you are not cooking them immediately. Make sure to unwrap them so they can breathe, and do not store them in water as they can live out of water for a few days.
Cleaning mussels
Before cooking, mussels should be cleaned and "debearded". Place the mussels in a colander or bowl and run them under cold water to remove any debris or seaweed on their shells. Use a firm brush to remove any stubborn dirt, barnacles, or other attachments. Most farm-raised mussels will not require rigorous scrubbing, but wild mussels may need more attention.
Debearding mussels
Mussels have a fibrous thread, known as a "beard" or "byssal", protruding near the hinge of the shell. This can be removed by pinching the thread with your thumb and forefinger, then pulling it towards the tip or hinged end of the shell. Most farm-raised mussels will come debearded, but you may find a few stray threads.
Soaking mussels
To reduce the salt and sand content in the mussels, it is recommended to soak them in fresh water for about 20 minutes before cooking. As the mussels breathe, they will filter the water and expel any sand or impurities.
Cooking mussels
Mussels are now ready to be cooked. They can be steamed, boiled, or baked, often with flavours such as white wine, garlic, butter, or cream. Cooked mussels are ready to eat when their shells have opened. It is important to discard any mussels that do not open during cooking, as these may be bad.
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Frequently asked questions
It is acceptable to eat mussels with your fingers, a fork, and a spoon. Anywhere besides a formal dinner, it is also acceptable to pick up the shell and fill it with a little bit of the broth and then suck the mussel and broth directly from the shell.
Hold the shell in your dominant hand. Then, use your free hand to open the shell and pull the meat out. Use a fork to extract any remaining meat that is still stuck to the shell.
While it is not generally considered polite in American fine dining restaurants, in other countries, such as France, it is commonplace to use your empty mussel shell as a tool to pry out the meat from the other shells.
Use a fork to pull the meat out of the shell. Then, transfer the meat from your fork to a spoon and dip it into the broth.
Use a fork to pull the meat out of the shell. Then, use the same fork to gather a bite of noodles. Eat the mussel and noodles in one bite.
