Mussels continue to dominate households all over Europe and also across the ditch in New Zealand. In the Australian food culture, eating mussels has long been considered a delicacy, alongside prawns, crab, exotic fish and other seafood. There is no doubt that for most of us, setting the table laden with seafood is generally reserved for a special occasion. However, our European friends and New Zealand cousins have embraced the affordability, versatility, and highly impressive nutritional profile associated with regularly eating mussels as a midweek or weekend meal.

Attitudes toward mussels are starting to shift

There is strong evidence indicating that Australians are beginning to value the benefits of introducing mussels into their weekly food plans. No longer considered a food for just a special occasion, the affordability of mussels has come to the fore. When compared to other traditional proteins such as chicken, pork, red meats and finned fish, mussels are by far the most economical.

As a cheaper alternative to traditional proteins, the Australian consumer is taking notice of the abundance of mussels and just how cost-effective they are as a weekly meal option.

Versatility is another contributor to the success of mussels throughout Europe and New Zealand. Mussels are the most consistent performer in many home-style cooking recipes, with households including mussels in their weekly planner. As a quick take-out meal, eatery options particularly across Europe specialise in mussels cooked in traditional sauces, whilst restaurants continue to include upmarket mussel dishes on their menus. Mussels’ versatility is superior when it comes to putting together a healthy and delicious protein meal that can be matched to a host of authentic sauces, spices, vegetables and carbohydrates such as pasta or rice.

Sustainability and environmental impacts are further considerations driving consumer behaviour. Across Europe and New Zealand, sustainable farming practices – both in agriculture and aquaculture – are a major influence on consumer choice. Mussels lead the sustainability conversation and as a farmed protein they are only the protein source that positively impacts the environment, acting as an essential contributor to the health of the world’s oceans and as a natural carbon sink.

These three factors are resonating with international food buying trends and the shift in the Australian market, although not as fast as overseas, is becoming more obvious.

Healthy eating that is convenient and quick

Whilst the early popularity of mussels in Europe and New Zealand can be attributed to their abundance and value, it is now clear that mussels are one of nature’s true superfoods. Mussels pack a big punch in the nutrition stakes, as they contain more protein than finned fish and steak, and a comprehensive suite of essential vitamins and minerals, especially selenium. Many food nutritionists recommend mussels as part of a weekly diet, due to their high volume of Omega 3, folate, zinc, selenium, iodine and iron.

As a proven health food, mussels are a guilt-free pleasure that enhance your immune system, help your heart and brain function, and contain hardly any calories.

EP Seafoods makes the choices interesting and easy

At EP Seafoods, we are continually looking for innovative ways to bring our healthy and sustainable mussels to the Australian market. With a range of options including live mussels and pot ready mussels we have recently introduced our new range of pre-prepared hot pot mussels that fit seamlessly into a quick, nutritious and tasty midweek or weekend lunch or dinner choice.

Created by our chefs, our pre-prepared mussels in tomato broth, tom yum, white wine and garlic and seafood chowder provide consumers with an entry point into their mussel discovery.

Each meal is perfectly balanced for flavour and size, and at $10 a meal they are much less than a serve of fish and chips or a greasy takeaway pizza. With everything done for you, our purposely designed packs take around 3 minutes in the microwave. Our new range of pre-prepared mussel hot pots ticks all the boxes in respect to cost, versatility, sustainability, nutritional content and convenience.

Australia’s love affair with seafood

Australians’ love affair with seafood is well documented, and we are slowly seeing a greater take up in mussel consumption. As a point of origin, Australian mussels are grown in the world’s best oceanic conditions. The Eyre Peninsula is renowned for its nutrition rich waters from which the mussels feed, producing the highest quality mussels found anywhere in the world. Our decades of farming practice coupled with our state-of-the-art processing infrastructure and collaboration with chefs, restaurants and nutritionists have enabled EP Seafoods to bring the very best in Australian grown and farmed mussels to the Australian market.

Try a bag of Kinkawooka mussels or Boston Bay mussels, or indulge in one of our new range of ready to eat hot pot options today. Now is a great time to add mussels to your weekly meal planner with easy to prepare recipes and videos available on our website.

Explore a library of quick and stimulating ideas

EP Seafoods have an extensive library of quick and stimulating recipes that are sure to captivate on any occasion.

Created by chefs for chefs and for the home cook, each recipe is easy to follow and only uses fresh, healthy ingredients.

The Kinkawooka Way

Remember to prepare your mussels the Kinkawooka Way. Our chefs have created the ultimate preparation technique, enhancing the flavour, texture and nutritional composition of the world’s best protein superfood.

Where to buy

You can find our mussels on supermarket shelves or from specialty seafood retailers. We offer both live pot ready and cooked mussels, to give you more options for a quick and healthy meal in minutes.