Where to start with the humble mussel? Mussels out muscle traditional protein sources. A naturally growing wild shellfish, mussels have exploded onto the foodie scene. Initially taking position as the more affordable shellfish delicacy, scientific research has proved mussels are one nature's more successful superfoods and one of the most important environmental influences on the health of the world's oceans.

Good for the planet

There is sufficient scientific and anecdotal evidence pointing toward a necessary shift in agricultural farming, commercial fishing methods and dietary consumption.

Almost all scientific research indicates we must find alternative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural farming and protect fish stocks and oceans from overfishing – all whilst maintaining a healthy global population that has access to sufficient protein sources.

Securing global protein sources – whilst mitigating environmental damage associated with agriculture and the loss of ocean seaweeds due to extensive fish trawling activity – is a major issue for food security authorities and health professionals around the world.

Many researchers are working in the agri and aquaculture vs environmental impact space. This is warning enough that as consumers we must look more closely at our food choices, and how they impact environmental sustainability and our own health.

This opens a conversation about an alternative protein source to replace the traditional staples of finned fish, red meat and poultry.

Organically and sustainable farmed mussels

EPSeafoods is Australia’s largest producer of organically certified, sustainably farmed mussels in Australia.

Our brands include:

Kinkawooka Mussels
Soft and sweet, bay grown mussels, bursting with a rich sweet flavour.

Boston Bay Mussels
Take full advantage of nutrient rich waters from upwellings in the Great Southern Ocean.

As mentioned in a previous article on sustainable mussels, sustainably farmed mussels do not require land clearing or the use of harmful fertilisers. They do not require any water conditioning chemicals or introduced feeding compounds. Contrary to the negative impact most farmed proteins have on our environment, mussels perform a critical function in maintaining healthy coastal waters.

Their filter feeding activities mitigate eutrophication (excessive richness of nutrients found in water). This function helps to improve water clarity. A second and highly important role is their unique ability through filtration to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. Scientists estimate that, globally, farmed mussels remove 49,000 tonnes of nitrogen every year and close to 6,000 tonnes of phosphorus. These two elements nitrogen and phosphorus are the two highest contributors of eutrophication in ocean environments. Mussels also subsidise the ocean’s role as one of nature’s carbon sinks. The worlds oceans contain around half of the worlds CO2 and the mussel build’s its shell from carbon absorbed from the ocean locking the carbon away forever. Mussel farming is one of the very few farming practices that contribute a positive outcome to the health of the environment.

Health benefits of eating mussels

The nutritional profile of an organically farmed mussel out muscles almost any farmed source of protein. Mussels not only provide highly digestible protein; they also boast a battery of other vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids that you don’t find in other foods. The mussel is a very tasty and highly nutritious capsule of goodness.

Organically and sustainably farmed mussels have from 300-800mg of omega-3 fatty acids per 100g of cooked meat.

These omega-3 fatty acids are highly bioavailable and represent a sustainable source of long chain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for heart health, play a preventive role in the advent of stroke and rheumatoid arthritis and a protective role against some cancers.

Mussels are a high density protein source. Protein is essential to muscle strength and repair, maintaining bone mass, boosting metabolic function and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. With higher levels of protein and iron than a piece of fillet steak, mussels contain vitamins A & B12, enhancing your immune system and improving skin and eye function. They contain zinc, stimulating your immune system and metabolism, iodine to help regulate your thyroid and selenium for glowing skin.

There are no other organically and sustainably farmed protein sources on the planet that have so many health benefits in a single serve.

When it is time to look at your protein choices, including mussels into your weekly diet is a no brainer. Here’s why!

1. Mussels are highly nutritious, exceptionally versatile and the cheapest meat protein source you can buy.

2. Mussels can be a quick weekly dinner option or a weekend delicacy. You have so many options to choose from when preparing your mussels, the options are only limited by your imagination.

3. Mussels are one of nature’s most prolific superfoods. Loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamins A & B12, zinc, iodine and selenium.

4. Organically and sustainably farmed mussels contribute to the health of coastal waterways.

5. They are so delicious, rich in flavour and packed with goodness.

EPSeafoods has a large number of winter mussel recipes and videos making cooking and preparing mussels even easier.

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.