How do i tell if mussels have been debearded?!
Answers: beards are a tough ittle rope-like thing that mussels use to hang onto stuff under water. If you can't see them against the black shell, they've already been debearded. If you got them from a seafood store, they're probably debearded. If you buy them directly from a fisherman, you will need to debeard them yourself.
You would see the beard if they haven't been!
Look aroound the shell. Do you see any beard? Then it is debearded. By the way, debearded mussels live only a few hours. Debearding tears out their muscles and lets their juices out. Buy fresh, unbearded mussels and clean them yourself if you do not plan to cook them immediately.
They say "ho ho ho" and nobody believes them!
try having a look at beardedclam.com ... youll see plenty bearded "shellfish" there ...if the website is still there ;)
A "beard" is a little piece of sea weed hanging from the "pointy" end of the mussel. Just pull it downward and it will come right off. Just FYI: Rinse the mussels in cold water.
Its like a coarse tangle of fibre around the junction of the shells. It helps the mussel cling to rocks etc and can be easily removed by tugging. After debearding I usually let the mussels rest in cold (ice-cubes) salt water for a couple of hours to refresh them. DISCARD any that are open but do not close immediately with a sharp tap. To cook simply, chop shallots (onions) and garlic and saute with a little butter and mixed herbs. Pour in your mussels, add a glass of white wine or vermouth and shake in a covered pan for 2-3 min over a hot flame until the shells open. (DISCARD any that remain shut!). Serve in a bowl with the liquor and crusty garlic bread, using the shells to scoop the meat..enjoy!
Beards are their gills only buy bearded mussels and clean them yourself.When you tear them off you kill the mussel.
No reputable seafood seller would sell "bearded" mussels anymore.
Now, dang it. I actually know something about mussels. But that chef with 27 years experience makes everything not worth answering. Who's gonna listen to anyone else?