FAQs

+ Is it safe to eat unopened Next Wave Seafood mussels?

Yes. Research has revealed that a long-held belief about closed mussels not being safe to eat is just an old wives’ tale. When a mussel is steamed, the mussel opens when the adductor muscle inside the shell breaks. If that adductor muscle does not sever or separate from the shell, then the mussel will not open. Freshly harvested mussels (like Next Wave Seafood), tend to have stronger adductor muscles, and this happens more often. Fresh mussels, recently caught, that are open are dead and are removed at the beginning of our cooking process. If a mussel is slightly open and you tap it, if alive, the mussel will close. If it does not close it is discarded. All the mussels going into our cooking process are alive at the time of cooking.

+ Where do Next Wave Seafood mussels come from?

All of Next Wave Seafood’s mussels come from the island of Chiloe in Chile. Next Wave Seafood’s mussels are rope grown in the pristine waters of the southern coast of Chile with no input from man. Our mussels are processed naturally using only what nature has to give.

+ What are the nutritional benefits of eating seafood?

Seafood is low in saturated fat. A rich source of protein and iron. Promotes normal fetal growth and child development and is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

+ What are the nutritional benefits of eating mussels?

A 3 oz. (85g) portion of cooked Next Wave Seafood blue mussels contains 20g of protein and only 147 calories. It is rich in iron, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, zinc and vitamins C and B12. Mussels are low in fat, only containing 0.7g of saturated fat in a 3oz portion. They are however, an extremely rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish and other foods but are not produced by the body. The consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids helps prevent cardiovascular and heart disease and is an important part of a healthy diet, promoting a healthy brain as well as a healthy body. Mussels in fact contain higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than any other shellfish.

+ Why is consuming seafood good for heart health?

If fish isn’t already a regular part of your diet, do your heart a favor and try a serving once a week, preferably twice. The benefits come from Omega-3 fatty acids. While fish oil supplements are popular, the American Heart Association does not consider them a sufficient replacement for eating fish. The full benefits of a fish-friendly diet are difficult to quantify, but there is plenty of evidence that people who eat fish regularly are less likely to have cardiovascular disease.

+ Why is there different color mussel meat?

There are two basic colors of mussel meat, pale white or orange. The pale white mussels are the males or immature females and the orange mussels are mature females.

+ Are Next Wave Seafood mussels already cooked?

Yes, all of our Next Wave Seafood mussel products are cooked. In fact, they are cooked within 24 hours of being harvested from our own farms to guarantee you the freshest product available. All you need to do when you get them home is heat and serve in a variety of different ways.

+ How many whole shell mussels are in a 1lb. package?

On average, there will 20-24 mussels in a 1lb. package. That's typically a good portion for two people.

+ What type of mussel does Next Wave Seafood use?

Next Wave Seafood uses what is commonly called a Blue or Common mussel. The actual species name is Mytilus Chilensis. They are a very hearty mussel that adapts well to varying climate conditions.

+ Do mussels have predators?

Marine mussels are eaten by humans, starfish, seabirds, and numerous other species, although the main cause of mortality is starfish. Starfish crush the shell and then eat the mussel.

+ What is the silky fiber sometimes found on or in the mussel?

This is called the byssus or beard. These threads are strong, silky fibers made from proteins that are used by mussels to attach to rocks, pilings, or other substrates. These animals produce their byssal threads using a byssus gland, located within the organism's foot. Mussels can move slowly by extending a byssal thread, using it as an anchor and then shortening it.