What are the big clams called?

Asked by: Antonio Virum

Hard-shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) go by many names. Littlenecks, topnecks, cherrystones, chowders—they are all the same clam, just different sizes (listed from smallest to biggest). They live in the Atlantic Ocean along the east coasts of the U.S. and Canada in intertidal areas burrowed in the sand.

What are different size clams called?

Hard-shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) go by many names. Littlenecks, topnecks, cherrystones, chowders—they are all the same clam, just different sizes (listed from smallest to biggest). They live in the Atlantic Ocean along the east coasts of the U.S. and Canada in intertidal areas burrowed in the sand.

What are the biggest clams?

The giant clam (Tridacna gigas) is – you guessed it – humongous! It is the largest of all bivalve mollusks in the world, reaching lengths of more than 4 feet, and they can live for nearly a century.

Are giant clams edible?

Both the giant clam’s mantle tissue and the large muscle that closes the shells are edible and highly prized by people throughout the Pacific and Asia. The shells are taken for decorative purposes. As a result giant clams are heavily harvested and have become rare on many Pacific reefs.

What are the 2 types of clams?

Below, he breaks down the seven major clam species that grow in the United States.

• Atlantic Hard-Shell Clams (Mercenaria mercenaria)
• Soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria)
• Manila clams (Venerupis philippinarum)
• Surf clams (Spisula solida)
• Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula)
• Atlantic Jackknife clam (Ensis leei)

Do giant clams make pearls?

In case you didn’t know, giant Tridacna clams can also make pearls, but these are much more rare, and hence even more valuable. From the size of the 75 pound pearl, it’s clear that it was produced by the world’s largest bivalve, Tridacna gigas.

Where are giant clams?

At home on reefs throughout the Indian Ocean, the South Pacific and parts of South Africa, the giant clam lives on shallow reef flats down to depths of around 66 feet (20 m). Below that, the algae they depend on to survive wouldn’t have enough sunlight to grow.

What is the largest edible clam?

Geoduck Clam

Geoduck Clam: The Giant Edible Clam.

How big is a giant clam?

four feet across

Giant clams are among the largest of all mollusks. There are several species of giant clam, the biggest of which can grow to be four feet across and weigh over 600 pounds! Regardless of species, giant clams have two thick, bony shells joined with a flexible ligament hinge.

What is a long neck clam?

Also called “steamer clams” or “long-neck clams,” soft-shell clams are oval in shape with an often protruding dark neck, or siphon. Small and tender, soft-shell clams are what we use for frying, but they’re also (as the name implies) fantastic steamed or in chowder.

What kind of clams are steamers?

In the United States, steamed clams are usually made with small soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) called steamers, and sometimes with other shellfish harvested and served along the East Coast and in New England. Hard shell clams, sometimes known as quahogs, can also be steamed.

How do you cook giant clams?

Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer. Simmer the water to steam the clams, covered, for 5 to 7 minutes, then remove all open clams with a slotted spoon, according to Hama Hama Oysters. The heat and steam inside the covered pot will cook the clams.

Why is it called a geoduck?

Geoducks (Panopea generosa) are native to the west coast of North America, and their name is derived from a phrase in the Nisqually language, gʷídəq, which means “dig deep.” When fully mature, Puget Sound geoducks weigh, on average, a bit over two pounds.

What does a geoduck taste like?

So, what does it taste like? Geoduck meat is sweet and clear in taste. Seattle-based chef Ethan Stowell features geoduck seasonally at Goldfinch and How to Cook a Wolf. “It’s definitely unique to the Northwest, and I think we should be proud of it,” Stowell says.

Why is geoduck so expensive?

For many years geoduck meat was primarily used in chowder. The price surged in the late 1980s after the clam was discovered by wealthy Chinese drawn by its taste and exoticsm. Today in Asia, the thinly sliced, chewy neck meat is used in a variety of dishes and sometimes fetches $30 a pound or more.

How much are geoducks worth?

In America, you’ll end up paying anywhere from $15 to $30 per pound, depending upon the market, as it is considered a delicacy and a specialty item. Various factors can affect the market price of geoducks, such as the pandemic, tariffs, trade wars, quality, and economy.

Can geoduck be eaten raw?

Fresh geoduck is often eaten raw. Keep cold until you’re ready to use. The breast is best for chopping up into small pieces, perhaps as a tartare. The narrower part of the siphon is best cut into lengthwise strips, perhaps for chowder.

Do geoducks have brains?

Well, geoducks have no brain, eyes, ears or, presumably, feelings. They are organic machines, all plumbing and pump. A few geoducks from the state shellfish lab at Brinnon on Hood Canal were given parts for the filming of the movie “Snow Falling on Cedars,” but they’re the exception. Most lead lives of quiet anonymity.

How do you prepare geoduck to eat?

So I want to clean this up a little salt water it's a cold salted water the easiest way to eat this and enjoy the natural clean flavors of the gooey duck. It's just simply raw.

What is the liquid in a geoduck?

water

An adult geoduck squirts water from its siphons. Wild geoducks are graded primarily by color—white neck and shell being the highest grade (1) and dark brown/black shell being the lowest (3-4). Although the meat, when the skin is peeled off, is usually a fairly similar creamy white color across grades.

Where can you find geoducks?

Geoduck (pronounced “gooey-duck”) can be found along the West Coast of the United States from Alaska to Baja California. There is both wild harvest and a growing geoduck aquaculture industry, particularly in Washington State. The majority of Washington’s geoduck farming takes place in southern Puget Sound.

Are geoducks endangered?

Mexican geoduck clam populations are suffering as legal harvests are threatened by rampant poaching, which has driven the species onto the endangered species list.

What is geoduck used for?

The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape. It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy, mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot.

Do geoducks move?

Not to fret if the siphon goes back under the sand, the geoduck itself can’t actually move so no need to rush. “If you’ve got a can or tube, center it on the siphon show, and force it down around the siphon as far as you can.