General Question

jballou's avatar

Why do recipes always say to discard any mussels that do not open?

Asked by jballou (2128points) June 10th, 2008
Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

1 Answer

mvgolden's avatar

Because they were dead before you cooked them. If they are alive they open up in shock to the boiling water. If they are dead they stay shut.

Since you don’t know how long it was dead before you cooked it, it is very likely that it has decayed.

mvgolden (824points)“Great Answer” (6points) Flag as…

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