Shellfish lovers – Fishfarmer Magazine
Shellfish lovers06 February, 2014 –
SALES of Scottish mussels are set to double in the run-up to Valentines Day, with the tasty shellfish having become indelibly associated with romance in recent years.
For the last few years, the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) has noticed a doubling in sales of mussels during the week prior to Valentines Day, providing a welcome boost to Scotlands hardworking mussel farmers.
Stephen Cameron, managing director of SSMG said: This sales surge in mussels for Valentines Day is a relatively new phenomenon and wouldnt have happened several years ago.
Whilst retail sales will increase, this boost in demand seems to be largely driven by the increasing number of restaurants that are putting mussels onto their Valentines Day menus.
We believe part of the reason is because people regard mussels as a very romantic dish to eat; it is certainly true that sharing a bowl of mussels can be an intimate experience that helps couples relax and feel comfortable in each others company.
For a romantic dinner at home, mussels are easy and quick to cook but when presented on a plate look very special. Mussels are also an incredibly healthy food to eat they are full of life-enhancing minerals and are an excellent source of Omega-3 oils that are good for your heart.
They are also a sound environmental choice for the consumer, with rope grown mussels from SSMG being independently certified by both Friend of the Sea and the Marine Stewardship Council eco-label schemes for their sustainable and environmentally friendly manner of cultivation.