How do mussels differ from oysters? How to distinguish?

To date, mussels and oysters areThe most popular mollusks that are found in the kitchens of almost all the peoples of the world. Nobody has reliable information about when and under what circumstances they have been used by humans for food. It is only known that this happened very, very long time ago. Historians and archaeologists say that they have evidence of the gathering of mollusks by primitive man, dating back to an even more ancient time period than evidence of his fishing and hunting practices. However, modern people are interested in several other issues. For example, than mussels differ from oysters, what mollusks are more delicious and more useful for humans, how to prepare sea delicacies, etc.

Well, let's try to answer these questions, and also introduce the reader to some interesting facts about these sea molluscs.

Many people do not distinguish between mussels and oysters. But they are absolutely different sea mollusks. So, what are mussels and oysters, how to distinguish them? Now we will understand this question.

Appearance

To begin with, it is worth noting that the appearance of thesemarine inhabitants are completely different. Thus, oysters are larger than mussels. Their shells are somewhat rough, and at the edges - wavy. Oyster shells are characterized by a flat or slightly concave shape. Mussels, in turn, have a much smaller shell size. Their shape is also completely different: more rounded, with sharp edges. You can also distinguish mollusks among themselves by the color of the shell. Oysters, as a rule, are quite light in color, and mussels are from dark gray to practically black. The presence of this or that shade depends on the quality of the water in the pond in which the mollusks live.

Lifestyle

To understand, than mussels differ from oysters, it is possible,if we consider the lifestyle of some and other mollusks. So, oysters can not move. They spend their entire life "sitting" in one place, attaching all their shell to stones or other hard rocks present on the seabed. Mussels can change their location. They are allowed to do this by a special thread (bisus). With its help, mussels are attached to some immovable objects and travel in search of food at distances that allow the thread.

Considering the existence of mollusks incommunities, we can note one more feature that distinguishes these two types. If mussels prefer to lead a social life, attaching themselves in a row one by one, then the oysters live in "piles", sometimes tightly cementing with each other.

How do mussels differ from oysters? What is more useful?

And one and the other type of mollusks have a veryhigh nutritional value for the human body. Both oysters and mussels are good prevention of cancers. This property is explained by the high content in marine mollusks of elements such as sodium and fluorine.

Differences between oysters and mussels arethe method of their preparation. More precisely, the fact that the first can not be cooked by heat treatment, but the latter - it is necessary. This is because oysters are a cleaner product. They are eaten raw. And mussels due to their more active life accumulate a dangerous dose of harmful substances that go away after boiling in the water.

Price

Perhaps the main criterion of what mussels differ from oysters (photos of both species for clarity are presented in the article) is their cost.

The latter are quite expensive and, as a rule,are served only in some restaurants of our country. A mussel can be found on sale often enough. Almost in every store you can buy these shellfish in a frozen form at a fairly democratic price.

How to choose?

Perhaps, these were the main nuances thatallow even the most distant person from high cooking to understand the difference between mussels and oysters. Now let us consider some more important points, which concern the methods of preparation and the rules for eating such mollusks, of course, taking into account the differences that were given above.

It is believed that fresh mussels and oysters thatremained alive until the very frost, have closed shells. And they open after they die. This should be taken into account when choosing mussels and oysters in the store.

Treatment

After the acquisition of marine shellfish,you can process them faster. Of course, in the case of frozen, you can and wait, but if the mussels were bought alive or even chilled, you must immediately begin to prepare them. To begin with, you need to open the sinks by turning them with your sharp side toward you and, after stabbing the knife between the two halves, turn it 90 degrees and reach for the mollusk. After this, it is necessary to remove its entrails and rinse well under running water. In the case of oysters, cooking will be completed already at this stage. After processing, they must immediately be served to the table, adding to the dish a sauce or a slice of lemon.

Well, before you submit to the table mussels, theirmust be prepared. Although they are stored somewhat longer than oysters, their useful properties start to get lost every day. Having cleansed of shells and entrails, they can be boiled and refilled, again, with any sauce. A ready dish of mussels can be stored in the refrigerator for about 12 hours.

How do mussels differ from oysters? As mentioned earlier, the latter can be eaten raw, and the former - not. This is a very important criterion. In the kitchens of many peoples there are recipes of raw oysters. However, before using such mollusks, it is necessary to make sure that they were extracted in an ecologically clean water body. Otherwise, it is better to prefer a dish of oysters in cooked form.

Sea molluscs can be served in a separateform, and can be a component of a dish. In restaurants, it is often suggested to try oysters separately. But in the home kitchen for saving you can add to them and other ingredients.

Cooking method

Another nuance, than mussels differ from oysters,lies in the way they are used. Oysters can be served with closed shells. Then they will have to be opened independently. To do this, open the sink, cut off the piece with which the oyster meat is attached to it, pour it on the sauce and drink the whole oyster immediately.

If the mollusks are served in a cleaned form, they should be eaten with cutlery. Mussels are served always cleaned, and with their use of problems, as a rule, does not arise.

Conclusion

The information presented in the article is sufficient forIn order to understand how mussels differ from oysters, how to distinguish them and to separate quality clams from substandard ones, and how to cook and consume these delicacies. As a rule, one who has tried a dish from such sea delights, will want to try it more than once.

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