{"id":5392,"date":"2021-02-26T16:11:46","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T15:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/senza-categoria\/how-to-store-mussels\/"},"modified":"2021-02-26T16:11:46","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T15:11:46","slug":"how-to-store-mussels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wiki-en\/how-to-store-mussels\/","title":{"rendered":"How to store mussels"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sweet scent of summer, seaside lunches and joyful evenings with friends: always with one sole protagonist, mussels! These shellfish enchant the senses with their aroma, offer a unique taste experience and steal the spotlight in any dish.  <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s exactly why<\/span><b> we decided to create a detailed guide<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on one of the most frequently asked questions we receive: <\/span><b>how to properly store mussels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Follow along!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to store mussels in the refrigerator<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2091 size-full\" title=\"Find out how to store mussels in the fridge!\" src=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/conservare-cozze-in-frigo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Woman opens the fridge to store the mussels\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/conservare-cozze-in-frigo-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/conservare-cozze-in-frigo-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/>Mussels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or \u201cmitili\u201d in Italian, <\/span><b>are a delicious ingredient that perfectly suits appetizers<\/b>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pasta and seafood mains<\/span>. <b>Fresh mussels can be stored in the fridge for a few days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span> <b>either raw or cooked. However <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we suggest<\/span> <b>you always eat them as soon as possible after purchase, to fully enjoy their nutritional value, unique flavor and freshness.<\/b> <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to store raw mussels in the fridge<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>If you\u2019ve bought live mussels from the fish market<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the best thing to do once you&#8217;re home<\/span><b> is to place them<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (still in their net) <\/span><b>into a colander,<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">then set the colander inside another bowl, <\/span><b>so any liquid they release doesn\u2019t come into contact with other food in the fridge.<\/b> <b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>To properly store mussels in the fridge, keep in mind these key tips: <\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mussels need to breathe and stay moist.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to cover them with a damp cloth and place them on the bottom shelf of the fridge;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Don\u2019t add water<\/b>,<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this could kill them;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help preserve freshness,<\/span> <b>you can place a bag of ice over the damp cloth<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or towel (never in direct contact with the mussels);<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>They should be stored at a temperature between 4\u00b0C and 6\u00b0C (39\u00b0F to 43\u00b0F)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mussels will release water each day<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you haven\u2019t stored them in a colander, but directly in a bowl or dish, the liquid will collect at the bottom. <\/span><b>Be sure to drain it daily to prevent contamination of other food.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>With these precautions, mussels should stay alive for 2\u20133 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If they\u2019ve been in the fridge for 4 days, it\u2019s best to throw them. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Before cooking, make sure they\u2019re still fresh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Check the shells: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> discard any broken ones. Smell them: <\/span> <b>if they have a clean, fresh sea scent, they\u2019re good to go<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, if the smell is overly strong or unpleasant, they\u2019re likely no longer safe to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to store cooked mussels in the refrigerator<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2092 size-full\" title=\"Discover how to store raw and cooked mussels in the fridge!\" src=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-crude-come-conservarte-1.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a tray of cooked mussels with raw mussels next to them\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-crude-come-conservarte-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-crude-come-conservarte-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/>Once cooked, mussels can be kept in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They can be stored in a sealed container or zip-lock bag.<\/span><b> It\u2019s good practice to cover the mussels with their cooking liquid. <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Before eating them, always check the smell and texture.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If the scent is unpleasant or the texture feels mushy, the mussels are no longer safe to eat. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid bacterial contamination, store cooked mussels away from raw mollusks. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to store mussels in the freezer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Another question we\u2019re often asked is: can I freeze mussels? The answer is yes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>but it\u2019s not our recommended option. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Why? <\/span><b>Because freezing them can cause a loss or reduction in their beneficial properties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s why we always suggest eating mussels fresh, right after purchase, to guarantee top quality and freshness. However, if you need to freeze them, here are our tips. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to freeze live mussels<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b> <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2093 size-full\" title=\"Find out how to store mussels in the freezer!\" src=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-come-congelarle-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a bag of frozen mussels\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-come-congelarle-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-come-congelarle-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/>Before freezing alive mussels, they must be cleaned. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, place them in a container with cold water and begin scrubbing<\/span> <b>to remove any debris or buildup.<\/b> <b>Be sure to discard any damaged <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or dead-looking mussels.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p><b>Once clean, place the mussels into a sturdy freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write the date of freezing on the outside of the bag.<\/span><b> From that moment, they can be kept for up to 3 months.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After that, they will continue to decline in quality. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When you&#8217;re ready to eat them, defrost the mussels through the refrigerator,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. or soak them in cold water for about an hour. They should be cooked within 2 days after defrosting. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that defrosted mussels, once cooked, may be softer than fresh ones. Never refreeze mussels after defrosting, as this could pose a health risk. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to store cooked mussels in the freezer <\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2094 size-full\" title=\"Find out how to freeze mussels properly!\" src=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-come-congelarle-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pans with freshly cooked mussels\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-come-congelarle-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cozze-cotte-come-congelarle-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/>After cooking the mussels, remove the shells using a spoon or a knife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If the mussels are properly cooked, this step should be fairly easy and the mollusks should detach effortlessly without much pressure.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Set aside the mussels you want to freeze. Place them in an airtight container or, alternatively, in a sturdy freezer bag. <\/b> <b>Arrange the mussels<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as you prefer, but make sure <\/span><b>to cover them completely with their cooking liquid, which helps preserve their flavor.<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let the liquid cool down before pouring it into the container or bag.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write the freezing date on the outside of the container to keep track of how long they\u2019ve been stored. <\/span><b>Cooked mussels can be kept in the freezer for up to 4 months, after which they will begin to lose texture and flavor. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, but<\/span><b> keep in mind that we recommend freezing mussels only as a last resort. Mussels, like all mollusks, are best enjoyed fresh to fully appreciate their unique flavor! <\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The sweet scent of summer, seaside lunches and joyful evenings with friends: always with one sole protagonist, mussels! These shellfish enchant the senses with their aroma, offer a unique taste experience and steal the spotlight in any dish. That\u2019s exactly why we decided to create a detailed guide on one of the most frequently asked [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[128],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wiki-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.itticabuonocore.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}