Blue Mussel
Mytilus edulis
Also known as Edible mussel
Culinary Profile
Tender meat and sweet flavor.
Mussels are low in saturated fat and excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Range from 2 to 4 inches at maturity, though can grow up to 8 inches. The shell is black, blue-black or brown, teardrop shaped, and has concentric lines marking the outside; the inner shell is white. The ‘beard’ is the byssal threads allowing the mussel to attach to substrate.
Biology
Are of the shellfish family. Like oysters, clams, and scallops, blue mussel are bivalve mollusks and have a hinged shell. Adults are sessile—they stay in one place—and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas. Have fast growth rates and high reproduction rates. First mature as males, then later develop female reproductive capabilities. Each female can produce between 50 and 200 million eggs during a spawning event.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Available year-round.
Source
Tidal areas or offshore, mostly in New England, Washington, and California.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Blue Mussel ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 3.95 mg | 3 / 111 | 97% |
| Vitamin B12 | 12 µg | 4 / 106 | 96% |
| Zinc | 1.6 mg | 10 / 111 | 91% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Selenium | 44.8 µg | 16 / 106 | 85% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 188 mg | 35 / 104 | 66% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 253 mg | 49 / 104 | 53% |
| Phosphorus | 197 mg | 83 / 111 | 25% |
| Protein | 11.9 g | 109 / 111 | 2% |
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Blue Mussel, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much selenium does Blue Mussel provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Blue Mussel carries 44.8 µg of selenium, about 81% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
How big does Blue Mussel get?
grow up to 8 inches.
How much protein is in 100 g of Blue Mussel?
A 100 g raw serving of Blue Mussel provides 11.9 g of protein — roughly 24% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
Is Blue Mussel a lean fish or a rich one?
At 86 kcal per 100 g raw, Blue Mussel counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Is Blue Mussel a good source of iron?
Per 100 g raw, Blue Mussel provides 3.95 mg of iron — the protein matrix in fish flesh makes this heme iron, which absorbs more efficiently than the non-heme iron in plant sources.
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.