It's the moment seafood enthusiasts await each year: the new harvest of mussels—the tastiest, 100% from Zeeland waters. These traditional Dutch gems deliver pure, briny flavor. Quick to prepare, versatile for lunch, snacks, or dinner, and remarkably affordable.
Premier Quality Harvest Leading mussel experts confirm this season's crop is exceptional. These authentic Zeeland mussels are ready now. They're hanging culture mussels, suspended from ropes just below the surface, feasting on nutrient-rich waters for superior readiness compared to bottom-cultured ones. The hanging season starts late May, ahead of the later bottom harvest. Both are the same species (Mytilus edulis), matching in flavor and quality.
100% Zeeland Assurance Fish Tales, the sustainable seafood brand co-founded by chef and seafood authority Bart van Olphen, leads with the first new-harvest mussels in stores. Cultivated near Neeltje Jans by the renowned Schot family, these represent peak Zeeland quality. Plus, every Fish Tales mussel is MSC-certified for sustainable sourcing.
Spotting Genuine Zeeland Mussels
True 100% Zeeland origin isn't guaranteed. Many 'Zeeland' mussels are imported from Denmark, Germany, England, or Ireland, then briefly dipped in the Oosterschelde before sale. Amid hospitality lockdowns, local Zeeland farmers need our support more than ever—choose authentic to back them.
The new Fish Tales mussel harvest arrives exclusively at Albert Heijn starting Wednesday, May 27.
The Zeeland Mussel Cookbook
Craving mussel inspiration? Bart van Olphen's Het Zeeuwse Mossel offers 40 irresistible recipes—global twists, hot or cold, snacks or mains, all capturing Zeeland's essence. Highlights: mussel cocktail, panko-fried crispy mussels with celery remoulade, beer-steamed, fried on toast, or raw like oysters.
The Zeeland Mussel Cookbook, published by Kosmos, by Bart van Olphen. €18.50.
Photo credits: David Loftus©
