For the last few years, the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) has noticed a doubling in sales of mussels during the week prior to Valentine’s Day, providing a welcome boost to Scotland’s hardworking mussel farmers.
Stephen Cameron, managing director of SSMG said: “This sales surge in mussels for Valentine’s Day is a relatively new phenomenon and wouldn’t 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 Valentine’s 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 other’s 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.
