What are the characteristics of clams? Can you eat clams without opening them?

Recently, many places in the country have entered the hot weather. People can't go out to taste food during the day, so the online food stalls are very suitable. Invite three or five friends to eat barbecue, seafood, and drink beer. It is very enjoyable. Clams are also one of the most popular seafoods at this time. Let's learn more about it.

Contents of this article

1. What are the characteristics of clams?

2. Can you eat clams without opening their mouths?

3. There are two reasons why the clam shells are not opened

What are the characteristics of clams?

Clam: The shell is small and thin, and is long and oval. The top of the shell is slightly protruding, and it bends slightly forward near the front of the dorsal edge. The radial ribs are fine and dense, and the ones located in the front and back are thicker, interweaving with the concentric growth rings to form a cloth-like pattern. The color and pattern of the shell surface vary greatly, with spots or patterns composed of brown, dark brown, dense brown or reddish brown. The inside of the shell is light gray or flesh-red, with 2 to 3 light-colored bands from the top of the shell to the belly.

Can you eat clams without opening their mouths?

Those that have not opened are not necessarily dead clams. When blanching clams before frying, sometimes the water temperature at the bottom of the pot rises quickly and they are scalded to death before they can open. Therefore, when blanching clams, the fire should be lower to let the water temperature rise slowly. Keep turning the clams over. Gently tap the unopened clams with a spatula a few times and some of them will open. Those that have not opened can be pried open after cooling down. Those that have not tasted or gone bad are good and can be fried or boiled a little more. Otherwise, if they have not opened, discard them and it will be a big waste.

There are two reasons why the clam shells don't open

1. It may be that some necrotic clams were mixed in when they were purchased, so they cannot be cooked. Such clams are inedible, so you must be careful when selecting.

Second, it is not cooked enough, so just cook it a little longer.