Conwy Mussels are one of the Welsh Protected Designation of Origin Products (PDO). A PDO is a European Union Labeling Regulation naming that protects integrity of a product and indicates the framework of where that product must be produced, processed and prepared in one area and have distinct characteristics from this area. The Conwy Mussels are recognized as a PDO because they are harvested in a sustainable way, they grow naturally in the Conwy estuary, and they are raked in rather than farmed, dredged or rope grown. The raking is a skill that has been passed down from generation to generation; the rakers (usually men) go out on their little boats during low tide and use a hand rake to rake in mussels that have grown large enough. The mussels can only be bought or eaten at local restaurants in Conwy and when compared to other mussels, they are larger in size, contain greater meat content and have a deeper taste. Tom Jones, takes us out on his boat to teach us how to rake in the Mussels just like his great grandfather did. Conwy Mussels are seasonal but the fisherman have a trick to help you remember when they are fresh; they are harvested in any month that contains an "r" in its name. So if you want to try they mussels, make sure to visit Conwy any month from September to April :)