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From smallest to largest, generally, countneck, littleneck, topneck, cherrystone, and chowder all describe different widths of the clam—and the word "quahog
Hard clam
The hard clam, also known as a quahog (/ˈk(w)oʊhɒɡ/; or quahaug), round clam or hard-shell clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusc that is native to the eastern shores of North America and Central America from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelate…
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| Size | Width |
|---|---|
| Middle Necks | 2 to 2 1/2 inches |
| Top Necks | 2 1/2 to 3 inches |
| Cherrystones | 3-4 inches |
| Chowders | 4-6 inches |
What are the different sizes of clams?
What are the different sizes of clams? Clam Size Differences. At harvesting, littleneck clams range between 1 7/8 and 2 1/8 inches in length, while the much larger cherrystone spans between 2 3/8 and 3 1/8 inches in size. The smallest size is the button, those under 1 7/8 inches long. Click to see full answer.
What is the size of a hard clam?
The hard clam can live up to 30 years and grow to (on average) 4 inches in length. But, like all living things, they have to start somewhere. Hard clams begin their adult lives as males. In successive years they may change their sex and produce eggs. Sperm cells are much smaller than eggs and require less metabolic energy to produce.
How big are clams?
The shell of the clam ranges from 15 centimetres (6 in) to over 20 centimetres (8 in) in length, but the extremely long siphons make the clam itself much longer than this: the "neck" or siphons alone can be 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) in length. The geoduck is the largest burrowing clam in the world.
How many clams are in a pound?
Little necks, the smallest hard shell clam also known as having the sweetest taste, usually have around 10 to 12 clams in a pound. Clams are generally sold in bushels, which vary in size depending on what kind of clam you are purchasing. Our guide shows how many clams you'll need per person (by pound or bushel) and purchasing the right amount!
How old are cherrystone clams?
A cherrystone clam, five to six years old and two to three inches in diameter, is the middle child in the quahog family. Smaller ones (sometimes called topnecks) can be enjoyed raw on the half shell, and larger ones are delicious steamed or grilled. Fun fact: Native Americans made wampum out of quahog shells, which led to the bivalve's Latin name: mercenaria, or "hired for wages."
What is the smallest quahog?
Measuring from one to two inches across, the littleneck is the smallest quahog. Like chowder and cherrystone clams, it's mild and briny, but its size means it's the most tender (and prized) of the lot; the plump, juicy meat is excellent raw or cooked.
What is the name of the soft shell that is similar to a straight razor?
The Pacific razor , a different species, is longer, wider, and more strongly flavored.
What is a soft shell clam?
This Atlantic clam, a staple of New England clam shacks, is knows as a "soft-shell" because its oval-shaped armor (one-and-a-half to three inches in diameter) is more brittle than a quahog's. Once it's out of the water, its "neck" (actually, two siphons used for breathing and eating) protrudes through a gaping shell, so it's more perishable as well. That's why steamers are always cooked before eating.
How many species of oysters are there in the world?
Like other bivalve mollusks -- oysters, scallops, and mussels -- these coastal, primarily cultivated delicacies have a hinged two-part shell. There are more than 150 edible species in the world, here's the lowdown on what you're likely to find at a seafood market (or clambake) near you.
Is a cockle a clam?
The cockle is not, strictly speaking, a true clam but a close relative. Since you'd use it as you would a littleneck or a Manila ( linguine, anyone? ), it makes sense to include it here. The cockle we commonly see in American fish markets is imported from New Zealand. It's harvested year-round but is at its briny-sweet best right now, while it's winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Is a clam a bivalve?
The chowder clam, the cherrystone, and the littleneck are all the same bivalve species: Atlantic hard-shells, or quahogs ( KO-hogs ). They are distinguished by size, and the chowder is the largest (because it's the oldest, harvested at up to eight years of age), measuring more than three inches across. Too tough to eat raw, it turns soft and juicy when chopped and used in chowder or stuffed clams.
What are the different types of clams?
Different Types of Clams. Hard Shell Clams . Hard shell clams have a short siphon, which is the part of the clam that filters through the seawater to allow them to feed. They like to bury themselves in the sand that is shallow. These types of clams are often farmed clams.
What Are Clams?
Clams are part of the bivalve family. Being bivalve means that they have shells with two hinges. They are found in both saltwater and freshwater. The clams that people eat come from saltwater. You do not often eat freshwater clams.
What is the smallest clam?
When you describe clams by size, you are referring to the width of the clam. Littleneck. Littleneck clams are the smallest of the quahogs. A Littleneck clam is the ideal clam for clams on the half shell, which are usually raw. These clams measure a little more than one inch across, which is measured at the hinge.
What is a littleneck clam?
Littleneck clams are the smallest of the quahogs. A Littleneck clam is the ideal clam for clams on the half shell , which are usually raw. These clams measure a little more than one inch across, which is measured at the hinge.
What is a cherrystone clam?
A Cherrystone clam is a popular type of clam. The Cherrystones are a little bigger than Middlenecks. Therefore, they are ideal for use in a pasta sauce or grilled. Cherrystone clams are about two and a half inches in size.
Why are clams darker?
The acidity in the mud changes the color of the shell of a soft shell clam. The darker shells indicate the clams have more flavor. In addition, these clams have larger siphons. These siphons prevent the clamshell from closing completely, making it important to remove all grit before you cook them.
What is a hen clam?
The Atlantic Surf clam is also referred to as a hen clam. The shells on the surf clam is triangular shaped and pale in color. They usually are not sold in their shell. They are large and difficult to open, so they are mostly sold in cans or in frozen form.
How to shuck a clam?
When you're ready to get shucking, grab a clam knife and practice your technique: slip the rounded end into the seam where the shells meet, and twist it (like you're turning a key in a lock). With the right technique (and the right types of clams, of course), you'll be set for the shellfish meal of your dreams in no time.
Do clams have the same flavor as linguine?
You'll want to study up, because the clams you enjoy raw on the half shell aren't the same as the ones you toss with your linguine. Just as the types of clam chowder are very different—but equally enjoyable, depending on who you ask—the different types of clams have their own flavors and uses.
How many types of clams are there?
There are about 150 edible types of clams, but only a handful of them are commonly available commercially. 1. Hard Clams. Hard clams, also known as quahogs (a word that comes from the Narragansett word poquauhock ), include two main varieties: Northern quahogs ( Mercenaria mercenaria ), also known as Atlantic hard-shell clams, ...
What are the different types of clams?
A Pacific coast clam of the genus Saxidomus, Washington clams are also known as butter clams for their melty mouthfeel. They are commonly steamed or grilled. There are two types: 1 Northern Washington clams ( S. giganteus) can be found from Alaska to San Francisco and are up to four inches in diameter. 2 Southern Washington clams ( S. nuttalli) are larger (up to seven inches) and have purple markings inside their shells. Confusingly, these clams are not found in Washington at all: They are harvested from Humboldt Bay in Northern California to Baja California in Mexico.
How long do clams grow?
Soft-shell clams have long siphons and grayish-white, oval-shaped shells that are usually one and a half to three inches long—but can grow up to six inches long. Their thin, brittle shells gape open, which can make them sandy, so you need to purge them before cooking.
What is the difference between a Northern Washington clam and a Southern Washington clam?
giganteus) can be found from Alaska to San Francisco and are up to four inches in diameter. Southern Washington clams ( S. nuttalli) are larger (up to seven inches) and have purple markings inside their shells.
What is the name of the clam that has a long protruding shell?
Clams in the Solenidae family, of the genera Ensis and Solen, are razor clams. Their shells are brittle and gape open. There are two common types of razor clams. Pacific razor clams ( Siliqua patula) aka northern razor clam, are oval in shape and have a long, protruding siphon.
What is a soft shell clam?
4. Soft-Shell Clams. Also known as steamers or longneck clams, soft-shell clams ( Mya arenaria) are iconic in New England but live on both sides of the North Atlantic and on the Pacific coast. They are also known as Ipswich clams because Ipswich, Massachusetts, is a major processing center for soft-shell clams.
Where do Manila clams come from?
Manila clams ( Venerupis philippinarum or Ruditapes philippinarum) are a type of small, sweet hard-shell clam found in the Pacific ocean. On the West Coast of the United States, they’re known as steamer clams. They’re best eaten raw, steamed, or in pasta. They have a less briny flavor than other types of clams. 7.
What kind of clams does Cimarusti use?
Cimarusti, however, prefers to use larger topnecks or middlenecks with a bit of lemon juice and a good spicy horseradish for his raw clams, he says, “If you’re going to eat it raw, you should know you have a clam in your mouth: Littlenecks are not as satisfying.”.
Where are Manila clams native to?
Native to the Pacific Ocean, this clam is reared in farms up and down the West Coast.
How to clean jackknife clam shells?
The shells are delicate and they need to be cleaned thoroughly. The best way is to soak them in salted water with either a handful of cornmeal or cracked black pepper, which acts as an irritant. The clams draw it in and expel it out with whatever sand may be lurking inside the shell. “It’s a good thing to do that with any clams,” says Cimarusti, especially anything wild.
What is a soft shell crab?
Soft-shell crabs are also served deep-fried as clam bellies, which are wonderful when made by someone who knows what they’re doing. In New England, where deep-fried seafood is highly respected, many clam shacks use a bit of evaporated milk to help the corn flour dredge cling to the meat.
Where do Geoduck clams come from?
“I love, love, love them.” The extremely phallic-looking clam is native to western Canada and the Pacific Northwest and is the largest—and most expensive—clam, prized by seafood-loving chefs around the world.
How long do you blanch a clam?
Like soft shell clams, cooks have to remove its covering by blanching it in boiling water for 10 seconds, shocking it in ice water, and sliding it off, before ripping the meat in half. The inner body meat has a stronger clam flavor and more typical clam texture, ideal for stir-fries and fragrant broths.
Do surf clams have to be cut?
One would rarely see them called out on a menu or at a fish shop. Most surf clams are processed, often mechanically cut into clam strips. “I have an appreciation for strips,” says Cimarusti. “They’re sweet if you get good ones.”.
Names
Varieties
- Hard-shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) go by many names. Littlenecks, topnecks, cherrystones, chowdersthey are all the same clam, just different sizes (listed below from smallest to biggest). They live in the Atlantic Ocean along the east coasts of the U.S. and Canada in inter…
Cuisine
- Chowders: These are huge hard-shell clams perfect for soups, stews, and, of course, chowdersany dish in which they have some long, slow cooking time to make sure they're tender.
Origin
- Manila clams (Venerupis philippinarum) are, like Atlantic soft-shell clams, often called \"steamers,\" since steaming them and pulling them from their shells to dip them in melted butter is a popular way to eat them. Originally from the shores of China and up to Siberia, they now grow on the West Coast of North America, too, where they are farmed along with other bivalves like m…
Preparation
- Razor clams (Siliqua patula) are a local favorite in Oregon and Washington. They have long, thin shells and plant themselves in the sand vertically. Razors need proper cleaning to make sure they aren't sandy or gritty when cooked up. How to cook them? The most popular way is to coat them in breadcrumbs and give them a quick dunk in the fryer. They can also be sauteed or broiled wit…
Miscellaneous
- Geoducks (Panopea abrupta or Panopea generosa) are huge. Just huge. Pretty freakish, actually. To give you an idea of how big, the Chinese name for them translates as \"elephant trunk clam.\" They burrow deep into the sand in tidal flats along the Northwest coast of the U.S. and Canada. They have become popular in different Asian cuisines. They are prized for their flavor and sprigh…
Terminology
- Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are distinct from the common hard-shell clams often called quahogs on the East Coast. They are also known as black clams, mahogany clams, or black quahogs. As their various names suggest, their shells are an extremely dark purple verging on black color; they are also much rounder than hard-shell clams. They are known as \"ocean quah…
Habitat
- Surf clams (Spisula solida) live on the Eastern Coast of the U.S. and Canada from South Carolina up to Nova Scotia. Beach-goers on the Atlantic shore know the shells well - the surf tends to bring them to shore. It's famous when sliced up, fried, and served as \"clam strips.\" It's also a great clam to use for chowder.
Uses
- These small clams have a distinctive triangular shape and are popular in Europe. They can be steamed and eaten plain, but their small size and gentle flavor make them perfect for tossing with pasta or stirring into risotto.