These Espinaler Galician Mussels in Pickled Sauce 13/18 came with my first order from Caputo's, about a year ago. I often look at the box and think, "I should really open those", but something else always seems to get in the way. Well, today's the day.
This carton says "mussels in pickled sauce". You may also encounter the same labeled in Spanish as "mejillones en escabeche" or in French as "moules", both of which will likely have a label applied with the particulars in English.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.
It's one of those cans where you pull up the ring and the packing liquid erupts all over the top of the lid and the rim before you can even get it fully opened. Pardon me while I go get some more paper towels.
Some beautiful, appetizing-looking mussels. The pickled sauce is tinged red with unnamed spices. The aroma is sweetly vinegary. A sip of it gives the impression of apple cider vinegar, but it's listed as wine vinegar. The oil is sunflower.
I had these straight from the tin, appetizer-style. The flavor and texture are of a sweet, meaty shellfish. I suggest using a spoon with a rounded bowl to get some of the sauce included with each mussel. It's like slurping a spicy morsel off the half shell, and doesn't let all that tasty sauce go to waste.
The 13/18 means to expect 13 to 18 pieces per tin, and this one had 14. The price on these rises exponentially when the mussels are larger, with the 7/10 count currently costing almost triple what these did a year ago.
Main Takeaways
- Tasty, sweet mussels
- Mildly tangy spiced sauce
- Good QPR at this size
Unfortunately, these have increased in price since I bought them about a year ago. Now they're $8, up from $6.50. Although another place I (still) don't order from wants almost $11, so blame inflation (or tariffs).
Brand: Espinaler
Description: Mussels in pickled sauce
Species: Mytilus galloprovincialis
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO?
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4 oz.
Price Range: $6-7