How do you describe taste of mussels?
to someone who hasn't tried it before? It was a question someone asked me on my blog after I posted a recipe for Steamed Mussels in Lemongrass Coconut Curry.
Would love your opinions!
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9 Comments:
I saw that in there this morning and have been trying to figure out an answer. Unfortunately, giving a straightforward answer seems difficult because I've had some that taste awfully strange simply based on the recipe used. Besides that, getting some at a seafood buffet in, say, Virginia Beach, might taste horrible because of buffet procedures and holding temperatures, while having some freshly-steamed Prince Edward Island mussels prepped by an attentive sous chef will taste totally different. Of course, the resulting texture is also a huge factor in the overall perception ...
That having been said, my own perception is that properly-prepared fresh mussels, simply steamed and nothing added, will be light, almost fluffy, very tender, and absolutely won't have that "fishy" taste. Instead, the taste is almost like a super-good mushroom but with that whole ethereal "ocean" flavor. Very difficult to describe, but I know it when I taste it.
As usual, when it comes to the senses, your mileage may vary ...
LunaPierCook at 8:33AM on 07/31/07
Sex.
jperlow at 10:27AM on 07/31/07
I was going to say brinily musky or muskily briny but, you know, just see jperlow, above.
Barbara Hanson at 2:17PM on 07/31/07
The texture should be described also as slightly chewy... even the lightest, fluffiest mussel will require a few noshes before sliding down. oh so delicious.
B
Hand to Mouth
Making Stock of the Situation
A blog for the penniless gourmet
handtomouth at 5:23PM on 07/31/07
I eat mussels equally in England and New Zealand (far-flung family) and I've been trying to figure out the common ground between the small, intensely coloured and flavored ones from the north and the huge, soft, pale green-lipped southerners. Sweetness, softness combined with a bit of chew, and the merest hint of ocean. Actually, I think LunaPierCook's probably said it all.
zee at 5:40PM on 07/31/07
I agree that there is a mushroom quality to mussels, also they shouldn't taste fishy, though they do sometimes have a pleasant "sea" taste. Farmed mussels don't taste as good as wild, but they look great. And it's true, how you cook 'em influences the flavor. Wine sauce, garlic, tomato, etc. It's very hard to describe mussel flavor.
GorillaBob at 8:04PM on 07/31/07
I adore mussels! My hubby and I cook them in a homemade white wine/marinara sauce.
If I were to describe the taste/flavor of mussels I'd refer to them as very meaty and yet delicate in texture [not chewy like a clam and not squishy like an oyster]. They don't taste fishy and they are rather rich [higher in fat content than most mollusks]. They are also excellent just steamed with a bit of salt, white wine and served with fresh lemon to squeeze.
cheffy at 12:37PM on 08/01/07
I love clams. Today at a very reputable fish house in Key Largo I ordered Mussels. I thought they were mealy in texture, no ocean flavor & quite frankly odd. Is mealy in texture normal? I have also heard of Prince Edward Mussels & seen them on a menu at Bone Fish Grill,, I suspect I should have tried those first.
crittersrus at 9:38PM on 08/16/08
Terrible. :D
thepirateking at 10:21PM on 08/16/08