11 Reasons Why PEI Mussels are the Best
Introduction
PEI mussels are a type of shellfish that can be found in the coastal waters near Prince Edward Island. This article will discuss how they are farmed, harvested, processed, the nutritional values, how and where to buy them and how to steam them. If you love mussels, by the end of this article you should come to the same conclusion many others share: PEI mussels are some of the best in the world.
Disclosure
Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.

What are PEI mussels?
PEI mussels are a type of shellfish found in Prince Edward Island’s coastal waters. They are harvested by hand and considered a delicacy. Mussels can be eaten steamed, boiled, or fried. They are high in protein and low in fat.
P.E.I. stands for Prince Edward Island, which is where these particular mussels come from. Prince Edward Island is located off the eastern coast of Canada and belongs to a group of provinces known as the Maritimes–that is Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The ocean climate and tidal patterns in this area are conducive to raising mussels, and in the past several years, Prince Edward Island has become one of the primary providers of fresh mussels in North America. One of the biggest selling points for P.E.I. mussels is that they are consistently good.
Prince Edward Island mussels are plump and tender with the sweet, briny flavor of the ocean. Easily the most popular mussel in North America, it has an ink-black shell, and the flesh ranges from ivory (males) to pale coral (females). Paired with fresh thyme and a heaping serving of garlic, these flavorful morsels are perfect for a delicious appetizer, a main course or any seafood cuisine.

How are Prince Edward Island mussels farmed?
The longline system is commonly used in the PEI Mussel farming industry. This involves suspending mussels in socks (mesh sleeves) which are then tied to anchored or moored buoy rope.
In the spawning stage, the PEI mussel’s eggs and sperm are released in the spring when the water temperature reaches around 15°C.
At the mussel larva stage, farmers put out seed collectors made of frayed rope or plastic mesh strips attached to a long line. The surface of the collector provides a place for the billions of swimming larva to settle.
After the larvae attach, they form a hard shell called a spat. Once a spat is around one inch long (usually around October 1st) fishermen hand strip them from the ropes and take them ashore.
The mussel seed is then declumped and graded into uniform size classes before being placed into plastic mesh sleeves/tubes called socks. Within hours the mussel socks are taken back out to the farm and hand-tied onto the long lines.
The nutrients in the water provide everything a mussel needs to live and develop. However, to ensure a constant supply of food and to protect the mussels from predators, mussel farmers must be vigilant about their crops. The mussel farmer needs to add floatation to the long lines as the crop develops and the mussel socks acquire weight.
Clean, clear water is the most essential component of successful fresh mussel farming. In order to facilitate this, farmers place their ropes in areas with clean water sources – something that Prince Edward Island is known for. The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program regularly tests coastal waters to ensure they are clean and that mussels are free from toxins.
After harvesting, how are PEI mussels processed?
Harvested Prince Edward Island mussels are first transported to the closest processing plant that is federally inspected and registered. There, workers strip them from the sock before de-clumping, washing, grading and removing their beards (byssal threads used).
Prior to the PEI Mussels being shipped to markets all over North America, all the mussels are inspected for any broken or substandard shells that need to be removed.
Are PEI mussels farmed responsively?
PEI Mussels are grown on ropes in the sea, so there is no dredging and no harm to the ocean floor. Life forms that are delicate are unaffected because there is no dredging.

Is the PEI mussel industry sustainable?
The Prince Edward Island aquaculture industry is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly in the world. PEI Mussel farming, in particular, is a shining example of how nutritious and delicious food can be produced sustainably.
Mussels are sustainably sourced, with mussel seeds growing on collector ropes in the ocean. The seed is collected from the wild and not from hatcheries. Every step is natural.
Mussels feed on natural food particles that are present in the water column and do not need to be fed. While they develop, they obtain all of their nutrients from the pristine ocean waters that surround them.
Mussel seed is sustainably and naturally collected on ropes suspended in the water, and is considered a net positive benefit to surrounding water quality. In addition, PEI Mussels play an important role in reducing greenhouse gases by pulling carbon dioxide from the ocean surface waters to use for shell growth.
Are PEI mussels seasonal like fresh fish?
Unlike some shellfish, there is no one season in which mussels are harvested. They remain flavorful and available year round. The size of the meat will vary depending on the time of year.

What are the nutritional components of PEI mussels?
PEI mussels are high quality, clean and fresh due to the beautiful waters surrounding Prince Edward Island. As far as nutrients go, mussels are very much a “power” food and contain high and ultra-healthy levels of the following:
Vitamin C
Mussels are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is rare for a protein-rich food. A 75-gram serving provides 10 milligrams of vitamin C.
Protein
Protein helps develop antibodies as well as build and repair body tissues. An average serving of PEI Mussels has 18 grams of protein. Besides providing high-quality protein, PEI mussels contain more vitamin A and iron than beef.
Iron
Prince Edward Island mussels are also an excellent source of iron, a factor in red blood cell formation. An average serving of PEI mussels has 5 milligrams of iron.
Antioxidants
Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only foods that contain antioxidants – PEI mussels have them too.
Zinc
PEI Mussels are high in zinc (2 milligrams per serving), which is essential for energy metabolism.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral required for the formation of a protein that protects against oxidative stress and is abundant in PEI mussels.
For a detailed listing of all the nutrients found in PEI mussels, click here.

Tips for buying mussels
- If you buy mussels from a reputable fish market, the vendor will be able to tell you where the mussels came from.
- Look for a tag that notes the harvest date.
- Ever heard the saying ‘You’ll know it when you smell it?’ Well, that definitely applies to mussels. You want them to have a whiff of the ocean about them without smelling too fishy.
Serve immediately
For the freshest mussels, try to eat them the day you purchase them. You can store them in your fridge for a few days, though.
Where can you buy PEI mussels online?
Fulton Fish Market – Their PEI mussels are cultivated in the cold clean waters off the coast of Prince Edward Island in Canada and are delivered live. You can’t get any fresher than that.
Citarella – Their fishmongers skillfully go through each order by hand, selecting, cutting and preparing it just for you. Each item is wrapped in waxed paper, sealed in plastic and carefully packaged with ice packs in insulated, leak-proof boxes to maintain the highest quality and integrity of your order.
North Coast Seafoods – Their PEI mussels are organically grown and harvested naturally, then fully cooked and quick frozen in the shell with no preservatives. There are no shipping fees for orders over $99.
How do you steam PEI mussels?
- Rinse and stir mussels under cold running water. Mussels open and close their shells when out of water. For any mussels that do not close after rinsing, tap their shells or lightly squeeze them while running under the water again. For any mussel that still does not close, throw it away.
- Place enough liquid in an empty pot to cover the bottom.
- Turn on the element to high.
- Add the mussels to the pot and cover with the lid. Keep the temperature on high heat.
- Cooking will take 5 to 7 minutes depending on the strength of heat, how much liquid you use, and the number of mussels.
- When the steam is pouring out from under the lid of the pot for 15 seconds, they are done!
- Let rest 1 minute and then tip the contents into a bowl and serve with some fresh crusty bread for dipping in the wonderful broth– steamed mussels are tasty!
Cooking tips: cooking times
1 pound: 4 to 5 minutes
2 pounds 5 to 6 minutes
5 pounds: 6 to 8 minutes
10 pounds: 8 to 10 minutes
(1 pound of mussels is approximately 20 – 24 individual mussels)
How many mussels should you cook per person?
The suggestion is 1 to 1¼ pounds per person for the main course or ½ pound per person for an appetizer. (1 pound of mussels is approximately 20 – 24 individual mussels)
Other seafood resources
I have other seafood related articles on my blog. Here’s one that answers many common questions about halibut cheeks. Here’s another all about Kumamoto oysters, arguably the best-tasting oyster of all.

Summary
PEI mussels are a type of shellfish found in Prince Edward Island’s coastal waters. They are harvested by hand and are considered a delicacy. You can serve mussels steamed, boiled, or fried. They are high in protein and low in fat.
The article lists 11 reasons why PEI mussels are the best. They include their high-quality protein, an abundance of antioxidants, zinc, and selenium, how to steam them and their cooking times. I also provide sites for buying PEI mussels online.