How to Clean and De-beard Mussels
Knowing how to clean and de-beard mussels will allow for swift preparation of a delightful seafood treat, as well as make you aware of the signs potentially harmful un-fresh specimens. The following ‘how to’ breaks down this simple process for you.
Steps
1- Rub them clean. If your mussels are covered in mud or barnacles, rub handfuls of them together under running water before you start.
2- Tap to check for freshness. Tap any mussels that are partly open with your finger and discard those that do not close tightly.
3- Submerse them in cold water. Rinse or dip each mussel in cold water.
4- Pull the beards away. Pull the straggly, hairy ‘beards’ from the mussels.
5- After cooking discard any mussels that have not fully opened after cooking.
Tips
Similar to cockles, if the mussels have come from a body of water that is full of sediment, it’s a good idea to leave them in cold, salted fresh water over night. This helps flush them out.