Cherrystone Clam Flavor Profile

Cherrystone Clams have tender meats with a mildly sweet flavor and briny accent.

Cherrystone Clam (mercenaria mercenaria) Alternate Names

Quahog, Common Hard-shell Clam

Cherrystone Clam Description

Cherrystone Clams are one of several varying sizes of Quahog Clam which have different names depending upon their size.  Sizes and names of Quahog Clams are as follows: Littleneck Clam (1 1/2″ – 2″), Topnecks (2″ – 3″), Cherrystone Clam (3″ – 4″), Chowder Clam (over 4″).  Generally speaking, Cherrystones, Topnecks and Chowder Clams tend to be wild caught, while the smaller clams (Pasta or Button clams, Littleneck clams, and Middleneck clams) are bothwild and farm raised. As a general culinary note, the smaller the clam the more tender the meat.

Range & Habitat

Cherrystone Clams, and Quahogs in general, are an east coast clam found from Canada to Florida.

Typical Wholesale Products

Clams are sold live in the shell in 5 pound increments.

Availability

Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh.  Fresh available all year long.
Cherrystone Clam Availability

 

Nutritional Information

based upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.

* Calories/Calories from fat 127
* Protein grams 21.8
* Fat grams 1.5
* Saturated fat grams .3
* Sodium milligrams 96
* Cholesterol milligrams 58
* Omega-3 grams .3

 

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David Buchanan is a professional chef and author of Chefs-Resources.com, a site geared towards providing chefs and culinarians useful info to help in their kitchens.

 

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