FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are they fully cooked?
Yes, they are fully cooked; simply heat and serve.
Are they frozen or chilled, and what is their shelf life?
They are available in both frozen and chilled options, depending on market needs. The shelf life is 24 months for frozen mussels and 12 months for chilled product.
How do you get such a long shelf life?
Our pouches are the secret to our shelf life, it is almost like a canning process because of the pouch configuration their is very minimal oxygen transfer. It is really amazing - and due to the way we cook them as wholeshell and in their own natural juices, the shellfish tastes fresh, juicy, and delicious right up till that time.
Are New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels sustainably farmed?
Yes. New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels are farmed in the clean waters of New Zealand. Our farms are approved by the A+ Aquaculture sustainable management framework.
Do they contain preservatives or additives?
They are made from 100% natural Greenshell™ mussels. No preservatives. No additives. Mussels are natural filter feeders.
How do they differ from half-shell or live mussels?
The whole-shell format protects the mussel meat, ensuring it remains succulent and tender, unlike half-shell mussels, which often have drier, freezer-burnt meat that lacks flavor. Our product preserves the natural taste of live mussels thanks to the stock within the pouch, offering the convenience of long shelf life and ready-cooked mussels. Watch our comparison video here.
Why do they taste like the ocean?
We believe our mussels are the freshest tasting on the market. When harvested, both sides of the shell close tightly, trapping about a teaspoon of seawater inside. Our process captures and preserves this flavorful juice, keeping the mussels fresh and making it a wonderful addition to soups or stocks. Unfortunately, this essential flavor is often lost when preparing live or half-shell mussels.
Chefs call this natural stock "liquid gold".
Why do the Clams and Mussels have different vacuum levels?
Our Mussels and Clams have different levels of vacuums due to their different shell types. The mussels have a stronger shell and tend to have a higher level of vacuum compared to the more porous shelled clams, which require less vacuum giving it a looser pouch feel.
Our clams are quite fragile due to the porous shell so a looser vacuum reduces shell breakages in the clams.
How can I tell if my pouch is blown?
The key indicator to show if your pouch is blown is whether the shells are open on the inside (before the pouch has been opened). If the shells are held tight and closed then the pouch has kept its vacuum and all is well. However if you can see the mussels or clams inside are opening, then the pouch has lost its vacuum and is to be discarded.
If you have any other questions then please contact:
Lizzie Redwood
Why wholeshell vs Half Shell Mussels?
There are many reasons why Omega Seafood Wholeshell Mussels are better than your standard half-shell product, but here are just a few:
Better Quality
Due to our processing method and keeping our mussels wholeshell the meat quality and mussel taste is actually enhanced.
The wholeshell actually protects the meat from drying out and keeps the mussels tasting succulent and tender. Compared to your standard half-shell that tends to try out and get freezer burn.
Enhanced Flavour
When our mussels are harvested they hold about a teaspoon of water in their shells. Then once they are cooked in the pouch this is collected in the pouch and forms their own natural mussel stock. This stock is what chefs call liquid gold as it enhances the natural flavours of the mussels. This means our mussel taste just as good as live but still has all the added convenience. Whereas half shell has all its natural flavours stripped through the cooking and freezing process.