Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis

Description
The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, is a species of marine bivalve. They have large, smooth-shelled black to blue shells, typically 50 mm but up to 120 mm long. In the wild, mussels are typically found firmly attached to rocks using strong byssal threads.

Origin
Woolworths sources mussels from several farms in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape Province. Mussel farming in Saldanha Bay is based on the collection of wild spat-fall on seed ropes and grow-out on ropes suspended from floating rafts or longlines. Saldanha Bay is a prime site for mussel aquaculture due to its high primary productivity.

Attributes
Rope-grown Mediterranean mussels have thin, clean shells and high meat content. When cooked to perfection, mussels are soft and sweet. Mussels are high in protein and iron, and rich in vitamins A and B12. They are low in fat, but high in flavour.

Cooking
Mussels are easy to prepare and typically take around five minutes to cook depending on size. They can be steamed, baked, grilled or smoked. If a shell doesn’t open during cooking, it’s still good to eat – just prise it open with a knife.