Welcome to Neeltje Jans!
- Jacco Schot
- Hang- en bodemcultuurmosselen
- Partner since 2017
- Neeltje Jans, Netherlands
All of our mussels are 100% from Zeeland, and that's what makes them truly unique! From baby mussels to fully grown, they live in the Oosterschelde in Zeeland. This ensures top-quality mussels while keeping the ecosystem intact. Look for the Truly Zeeland sticker on our packaging!
Our rope-cultured mussels from Neeltje Jans grow on vertical ropes hanging in the water. This allows them to absorb nutrients more quickly and mature earlier in the season. That’s why they’re available on the shelves starting in May, so you can enjoy them extra early!
Later in the season, it's time for our authentic Zeeland bottom-cultured mussels. On a so-called cultivation plot, a piece of the Oosterschelde seabed, Zeeland mussel seeds are scattered. Once they’ve grown big enough, they are harvested. From June to November, you can enjoy these truly Zeeland mussels!
Both the rope-cultured and bottom-cultured mussels are processed directly at the quay, ensuring they stay super fresh. First, they are thoroughly cleaned and packed. From harvest to supermarket in under 24 hours!
Jacco Schot has been working in the mussel industry for years and knows the trade like the back of his hand. "A good mussel fisherman must have respect for nature and be able to handle setbacks. It takes two years to turn a batch of mussel seeds into beautiful mussels, so retrieving the first nets of the year is always an exciting moment."
No, the color difference between mussels says nothing about their quality or taste. Both species are equally nutritious and have the same mild, salty taste. As with humans, the color of a mussel can vary due to several factors: genetics, gender and certain environmental conditions. Whether you come across a pale yellow or orange mussel - they are all equally delicious!
During the cleaning and packaging process, a few mussels may break. Finding one or two broken mussels in your pack is normal—just discard them and enjoy the rest. However, if you find more than 10 broken mussels, you’ve unfortunately had some bad luck. Feel free to email us at [email protected], and we’ll find a solution together. Because eating mussels should always be a celebration!
According to Erwin, our mussel expert from Neeltje Jans, it's not strictly necessary to rinse them! The salty water adds extra flavor, and they’re so fresh that you can toss them straight into the pan. Our Fish Tales mussels are harvested directly from the Oosterschelde and carefully cleaned at the production facility. However, because the mussels are closed, there may still be a little bit of debris left. So we totally understand if you'd like to give them a quick rinse at home. Just make sure to check for any broken mussels, as it's best to discard those. All for that perfect pot of mussels on your table! Want to know more about Neeltje Jans and Fish Tales mussels? Check out the fishery page!
Suspended mussels grow on ropes that are vertically suspended in the sea, closer to the water's surface. Here, they catch more sunlight and grow faster than bottom-cultured mussels, which means they can be harvested earlier in the season. Since their shells have had less time to fully harden, they are often lighter and more fragile. As a result, you might find a broken mussel in the package more often with suspended mussels. Bottom-cultured mussels grow on the natural seabed, where they receive less sunlight and grow more slowly. Because of this, they are harvested later in the season and have firmer, sturdier shells. In terms of taste, both types are equally delicious!
