New Zealand is known for its green lipped mussels, so I decided mussels would make a great topic for a TT.
Thirteen Factoids about Green Lipped Mussels
1. Their scientific name is perna canalicula.
2. Mussels are native to New Zealand and are found all around the coast.
3. They are also farmed on a commercial basis.
4. Mussels live on rocks in the intertidal zone and feed on phytoplankton.
5. The shells are a brownish/green color and the outer edges are green, which is where their name comes from.
6. The commercial farming of mussels is highly regulated. The mussels and the water they grow in are tested for toxins on a regular basis.
7. It’s one of the largest mussel species.
8. They contain a unique brand of fatty acids, which are not found anywhere else.
9. New Zealand produces over 140,000 tonnes of mussels a year.
10. At present the mussels cost $1.50 for a pound (NZ$2.99 for a kilo) at the supermarket.
11. The omega acids in mussels are said to benefit those with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
12. They are also said to be good for those with asthma symptoms and stomach ailments.
13. My husband loves mussels and eats them on a regular basis. I think they’re repulsive. I don’t like the texture or the yucky bits of the actual mussel. I’m alone in my dislike though because even Bella likes them. My husband tosses the shells out on the lawn and she spends days chewing the hinge bit that is left on the shell when the mussel is removed.
Do you like mussels? Have you tried New Zealand Green Lipped mussels?
I’ve had these particular mussels but I love smoked mussels and smoked oysters. I had a can of them just the other day and shared one with my rats who loved it. lol
by Mary Kirkland January 10th, 2013 at 2:32 amUgh, I’m not a fan of smoked ones either. Your rat can eat my share.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:03 pmI’m allergic to shellfish, unfortunately, so can’t eat them. Before I found out I was allergic, I tried eating them and just didn’t care for the taste or texture (the same for most seafood and shellfish, actually).
I’m an odd duck.
Happy TT! :)
by Kimberly Menozzi January 10th, 2013 at 4:09 amI don’t like all the bits inside the mussels. You’re not missing anything! A lot of people are allergic.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:05 pmWow. I never knew they had so many health benefits. I’ve had them smoked, but I don’t recall if I’ve had them any other way.
by Maria Zannini January 10th, 2013 at 5:57 amThe green lipped ones are particularly full of the good stuff.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:06 pmI used to dig clams as s kid, grew up in a beach town. You have to put a lot of butter on clams and mussels to disguise their slippery ways.
by Colleen@LooseLeafNotes January 10th, 2013 at 8:06 amLOL – that’s very true! Butter hides many sins.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:06 pmI had no idea that these mussels had a fatty acid not found in anything else. Cool.
by Jennifer Leeland January 10th, 2013 at 8:34 amI don’t like mussels either. And I only like clams in soup or dip. LOL!
Texture is an issue. Plus, there’s an after taste my husband loves, but I do NOT.
It’s the green lipped ones that are full of extra goodness. I hate kissing hubby after he’s eaten mussels. The scent seems to ooze out of the pores too. Very yucky!
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:08 pmI’ve never had one with green lips. It looks fun. Hope they test the water and muscles of the ones i do eat.
by Alice Audrey January 10th, 2013 at 8:49 amDefinitely try them if you have the opportunity.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 12:08 pmI’ve never been a fan of seafood of any kind (maybe it comes from being landlocked?), so I’ll leave these to you. ;-)
by Heather January 10th, 2013 at 1:03 pmMy husband likes them enough to eat everyone else’s share.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 11:19 pmFun TT, though they are kinda icky tasting! LOL!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
by Paige Tyler January 10th, 2013 at 1:03 pmIcky is a good word for them. :)
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 11:19 pmSince I’m allergic to seafood, I guess I won’t be able to try this. *sniff sniff* Great facts though. Happy Thursday, Shelley!
by Stephanie Sullivan January 10th, 2013 at 2:01 pmIMO there are more delicious foods!
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 11:20 pmHi Shelley,
Interesting about the health benefits. I just showed this post to my hubby.
But for some reason I feel I’m chewing gum when eating mussels and I don’t like it. I tried cooking in pressure cooker, baking and some other ways, but no.
Yet, once I ate it at a cousin’s, she had baked it in coconut cream and it was really yummy. I have been trying to duplicate that ever since as like NZ, we also get mussels here a lot. But I haven’t yet found the perfect way to make it.
by Nas January 10th, 2013 at 2:07 pmChewing gum is a good description! Hubby just boils them in a pot, adding things like wine, herbs, tomato pasta type sauce to increase flavour.
I’ll have to ask hubby about the coconut cream and see if he’s tried them this way.
by Shelley Munro January 10th, 2013 at 11:25 pmahhh … one of my favorite “fast” foods :) so easy to fix … great finger food.
by kay January 10th, 2013 at 8:22 pmInteresting read, but I still think I will pass on them. YUCK!
by kandyblossom January 11th, 2013 at 12:27 am