Many people have come to the seafood market to buy big clams swimming at prices of hundreds of thousands of dong, but after cooking, they realize that they don’t have much meat and the shell is also small. The reason is that they do not have a firm grasp of the correct selection method. In general, many people when buying clams only look at their size, however, buying clams based solely on their size, whether big or small, is a mistake. You need to pay attention to the following points in order to choose plump and meaty clams!
How to differentiate between types of clams
Currently, there are 3 types of clams on the market: Red clams, green clams, and 3-spot clams.
1. Red clams
Red clams are one of the famous specialties of our country’s coastal areas, red clams are also known as flower clams. The characteristic of this type of clam is that it has a red color, on the body of the clam, there are three round dots and a cross shape on the back. The weight of red clams is larger than that of green clams.
2. Green clams
Green clams are usually smaller in size than red clams. They have a gray shell, with green edges and white spots all over their bodies. Green clams are considered the most delicious type of clam, loved by many gourmet people because they have sweeter and firmer meat than red clams. Green clams have the highest nutritional content among all types of clams.
3. 3-spot clams
3-spot clams (moon-faced clams), there are three round dots on the shell, which is why they are called 3-spot clams. This type of clam is characterized by its small size, with less meat than red clams and green clams. In the market, 3-spot clams are cheaper and less tasty compared to the other types of clams, and they are usually used as a side dish.
Tips for choosing delicious, firm, and meaty clams
To choose delicious and meaty clams, you can refer to the following tips:
1. Buy clams of the right size
Most people believe that the larger the clams, the more meat and delicious they are. However, this is a misconception because in reality, the larger the clams, the less meat they have and the less delicious they taste. Therefore, you should buy clams that are of medium size and look appropriate. These are the clams that have more nutrients, and when cooked, they will have firm, abundant, and delicious meat.
2. Choose fresh clams
To choose live fresh clams, you should buy clams at reputable seafood business establishments or stores with oxygen tanks. Choose clams by lifting the clams up, flipping them over, and pressing the clam’s umbo with your hand. If the umbo sinks, it means the clam is not good, but if it bounces back, it means the clam is fresh and has firm meat. In addition, you can also observe the clam’s siphon, if it fits tightly with the body, it means the clam has firm meat and has not reproduced much.
3. Preferably buy green clams
The type of clam that has the most meat, delicious and nutritious is green clams. To buy green clams, you choose the type of clam with three dots on the shell, and the size is appropriate. When holding the clam, you will feel the weight due to the firm meat. If you go to the market, the sellers will invite you to see this clam, that clam. They look quite similar at first glance, so you should observe carefully to choose delicious green clams.
4. Best time to buy delicious clams
According to the experience of people in coastal areas, the best time to buy delicious clams depends mainly on the water season. Typically, you should buy clams at the beginning or end of the month. This is the time when clams are abundant, plump, and have firm meat. On the contrary, if you buy clams in the middle of the month, at that time, clams are shedding their shells, so they have less meat and are not tasty, as they are often empty when pressed.
5. Differentiate between female clams and male clams
Similar to seashell crab, clams have siphons located in the triangular area below the abdomen. Male clams will have small siphons, while female clams have large, crescent-shaped siphons. In addition, female clams are usually thin and their siphons do not fit tightly with the body, just a gentle pry will easily open the siphon as they have reproduced many times. Choose to buy male clams with siphons that fit tightly together for better quality.
How to steam delicious clams:
First, clean the clams. Then, put the entire clams, chili, and ginger in a steamer for about 8 minutes over high heat, then remove them onto a plate. When steaming clams, you should add a little pepper and ginger to help remove the fishy smell and make the clams more fragrant. If you have the means at home, you can also add a little beer to the steamer.
According to An Nhiên – Vietnamnet
