Green mussels vs. black mussels - What's the difference?

Everyone loves seafood, and luckily there are thousands of options available! They are healthy, delicious and very versatile ingredients that accompany thousands of different flavors.

Especially mussels have always been a very popular seafood, but most people only know about black mussels. Than? Is there more than one type of mussel? Lucky for you, yes! And green lipped mussels are just as common.

But what is the difference between black and green mussels?

The most obvious difference is the size and color of the mussel. Black mussels are named for their black shell, and green mussels for their gray-green shell. Second, green mussels are nearly twice the size, which naturally makes them more expensive.

Today we will see not only these differences, but also how they differ in the way they are grown, their availability, what affects their price and all their uses.

Then we will see how to steam mussels and how you can fry them at home.

Black mussels

Black mussels are possibly the best known and most consumed species of mussels. They are one of the two most common varieties that can be found in the US, the other being the green mussel.

These mussels are commonly confused with the blue ones because of their identical appearance; however, they are different.

Blue mussels have a bluish hue, while black ones are unmistakably black. Their shape and size are very similar to each other, so to identify them you have to look at the color of their shells.

Black mussels thrive on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, where the water is much cooler. Some of the countries with the largest mussel aquaculture are South Africa, Canada, China and the United States.

Crop

These mussels are farmed in the wild, which means they are almost always grown and harvested naturally. Ropes are suspended in densely populated areas so that mussels can grow on them.

This makes it much easier to harvest and control the size of the united group.

This is another reason why black mussels are much more common compared to green ones. By growing naturally and with little labor, you can get bigger batches.

Characteristics of black mussels

Black mussels are the most common, so you probably already know what they look like. Their average size is about 5 centimeters in length , but this varies depending on the region you get them from.

Black mussels have very intense flavors that have nothing to envy to other species. Additionally, they have a tender, smooth texture and are less chewy than green mussels.

Availability and cost

Black mussels are available almost everywhere in the world . This is partly due to the way they are cultivated, but also due to their natural presence in many areas.

You can find them fresh or frozen in many different forms. They can come whole, on the half shell, or just as mussel meat (ie without the shell). You will also see that they are often flavored or marinated.

These common mussels are also the species used to make canned or pickled mussel products.

Being so available for most of the year, its price is very affordable , in some countries even outrageously!

Green mussels

As we have mentioned above, green mussels are another common species available in the US and in most countries. You’ll also see that they are sometimes labeled “green lipped mussels.”

These mussels are native to New Zealand and to regions around the Pacific Rim (the western coasts of North and South America), although many countries, such as India, have started to farm them in open water.

Crop

As these mussels are native to New Zealand, many countries farm them locally. The restrictions and regulations are very strict and are closely watched.  Mussel farming requires excellent feed and water quality.

Characteristics of the green mussel

This beautiful mollusk has the traditional shape of most mussels, although it is much larger, almost twice that of the normal black mussel . Its average length is about 15 centimeters, which naturally influences its price.

These mussels have a very firm, chewy and tender texture. You will see that their flavor is not as intense as that of other species, although they are still quite tasty and some even say slightly sweet.

Availability and cost

Since these mussels are almost exclusively farmed naturally in New Zealand or otherwise farmed, their price is quite a bit higher . They are not rare, but they are definitely not as easy to find compared to black or even blue mussels.

Their larger size also makes them more expensive, as well as their seasonality.

Green mussels, although harder to find, also come fresh or frozen, and in forms like whole, half shell, and even just with meat.

What is the difference?

Now that we have talked about each of these shellfish separately, let’s compare their differences with each other.

First, and most obviously, their color is what most distinguishes the two different species.

Green lipped mussels have an obviously gray shell with beautiful green undertones, while black mussels have a very rich and deep dark blue shell.

The next characteristic that distinguishes them is their size. Green mussels are much larger than the common black mussel, but both can vary in size.

Black mussels are known for their soft and tender texture, while green ones have a chewier texture.

As for its taste, as with all ingredients, it comes down to personal preference, so none is “better” than the other. The black mussels have very intense and slightly sweet flavors, while the green ones are not as prominent.

The way of farming these mussels also differs considerably. Black mussels are farmed in their natural environment on ropes, making them very quick and easy to harvest.

They can also be found in many areas of the world where they grow in abundance.

On the other hand, green mussels are very rare, despite being common. Their scarcity is due to the fact that they can only be found naturally in New Zealand and on some coasts of South and North America.

These green lipped mussels are farmed, so they are much more expensive to produce, hence their higher price.

These two varieties, being relatively common, can be purchased fresh or frozen. In areas where they are not grown or cultivated one way or another, you will find that frozen ones are easier to find.

In areas where they are plentiful, you will find that you can easily find both fresh and frozen forms, with fresh being only slightly more expensive.

Thus, you will see that you can find whole mussels, half shell and mussel meat both in fresh and frozen form. You can also find them in pickled or canned versions, even in a variety of delicious and refreshing flavors.

Uses of green and black mussels

If we look at the use of each of them, they are to some extent interchangeable. Their flavors and textures are so similar that you can mainly choose one over the other based on availability, cost, and aesthetics.

People mainly consume mussels for two reasons: health and diet, or simply because it is delicious.

Mussels have many health benefits and are fine to eat on a pesco-vegetarian diet. They are high in healthy and nutritious protein, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other minerals and vitamins.

The most common ways to cook virtually any type of mussels are steamed, whole or in half shells, or pan-fried.

Taste wise, both green and black lipped mussels pair well with the same ingredients. The best flavor accompaniments for seafood are always the freshest flavors, such as lemon juice or zest, fresh herbs, olive oil, and even pickles.

Garlic and wine is also a classic and effective flavor pairing, and beautifully enhances the natural flavors of the mussels.

Some inspiring ideas for mussel recipes are steamed mussels with garlic, fennel and wine, fried mussels with a herb crust or baked mussels with cheese.

Steamed green and black mussels

To steam mussels , you can use any available shape. Most commonly, whole mussels and half-shell mussels are steamed, although mussel meat can also be steamed to preserve its nutrients.

These two species of mussels are cooked in the same way, but their times vary slightly. Since green mussels are naturally larger, they need to be cooked a bit longer than black ones.

Black mussels only need to cook for about 5-7 minutes, while green ones need to cook for 10-12 minutes.

Steaming mussels is a fantastic cooking method that helps the mussel meat retain its flavor, moisture and nutrients, and even enhances its beautiful color.

Steaming also allows you to infuse the flavors of other ingredients like wine, garlic, herbs, and onion. You have a world of flavor to play with.

How to steam mussels

1. Sauté any vegetables, spices, herbs, or aromatics you want to incorporate.
2. Add the mussels to the pot and immediately add your base liquid. It can be broth, broth, wine, or even just water.
3. Cover the pot or pan with a lid and allow the black mussels to cook for about 5 minutes, and the green ones for about 10 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and check if most of them have opened, since this is when they are fully cooked. If they’re not done yet, cover the pot again and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve hot, preferably with the cooking liquid, and garnish with fresh herbs and zest.

Pan-fried black and green mussels

Another fantastic and very popular way to cook mussels is to pan-fry their meat. This helps release its natural flavors and adds additional smoky notes.

The easiest mussels to fry are the ones without the shell; however, there are recipes where whole mussels are sautéed and then added to a sauce base to continue cooking once opened.

The shells themselves also have delicious flavors that can be incorporated into a dish.

Mussels should preferably be fried with a liquid or wet ingredient. This is simply to prevent them from drying out too much, sticking to the pan, and even overcooking. There’s nothing worse than a gummy, gummy mussel!

How to fry whole mussels in the pan

1. Sauté base ingredients, such as greens, garlic, herbs, and spices.
2. Add an additional tablespoon of oil before adding all the whole mussels and stirring for about 2 minutes. They should start to open up.
3. Add your liquid base, such as wine or broth, and continue cooking until they are fully open.
4. Serve them immediately while they are hot and just cooked, and garnish with a seasoning such as lemon or dill.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over the differences between black and green mussels, let’s take a look at some related questions that we think you may have come up with while reading this article!

Can mussels be eaten raw?

You can definitely eat mussels raw ; however, it is necessary to prepare them properly beforehand, preferably in some kind of acid marinade.

The acidity helps to cure the meat of the mussels, essentially cooking it and making it safe to eat. You cannot eat mussels without this step or without them being fully cooked in some other way.

Is it dangerous to eat mussels?

In general, mussels are safe to eat ; however, there are risks when using or collecting fresh mussels from certain areas.

First, there is a high risk of red tide in some areas of the world. Red tide is a natural phenomenon in which toxic algae blooms on the ocean’s surface. This contaminates the waters and the mussels in them.

Second, mussels grow in one location for their entire lives, making them susceptible to harmful bacteria and toxins in the area.

Always make sure you buy your mussels from a reputable supplier.

Are mussels healthy?

Mussels are an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids . They also contain a fantastic amount of zinc, folate, iodine, iron, and selenium.

You should definitely consider incorporating more of them into your diet!