If you're interested in buying and cooking clams at home but feel intimidated by the preparation process, then this blog post is for you! Clams are one of the most versatile and delectable seafoods (think umami!), but cooking them at home can be a little daunting at first. 

When you buy from our store, our Pacific White Shelled Clams and Korea Bay Asari Clams are already de-sanded, cleaned and cooked so you don’t have to worry about selecting (Step 1) and cleaning (Step 2) your clams. However, knowing how to select quality groceries is always important to ensure you're getting your money's worth.

We get a lot of questions about clams, mainly how to store, prepare and cook them. Don’t worry - we've got you covered! Here’s everything you need to know about buying, cleaning, and storing and cooking clams.

1. How to select clams 

When selecting clams, here are some things to look out for:

• Check the packaging: Avoid packaging with open, torn, or crushed edges, as the clams are probably not safe to eat anymore.
• Inspect the clams: Look for any cracked or broken clams and discard them immediately. If the shell is cracked or opened, the bacteria can easily enter the shell and contaminate the flesh inside. (Note: If clams are already cooked prior to packaging, they should be open and still be safe for consumption)
• Check the smell: Clams should smell like the sea. If they have a fishy odour, they may not be fresh.

2. How to select clams 

Once you have purchased your clams, it is important to clean them first to remove any sand and grit that may be trapped inside the shells. Here's how to clean your clams to remove any grit: 

• Prepare a large bowl of cold water and sea salt. Mix 5 tablespoons of salt to 2-3 litres of cold water. 
• Soak the clams into the saltwater for  20 minutes - 30 minutes for the clams to release any sand and impurities from their shells.
• Take out the clams from the water and check the bottom of the bowl for any sand from the clams. Do not run the clams through a strainer, or  you'll end up with sandy clams!
• Grab a brush with stiff bristles to scrub your clams clean to remove any dirt or barnacles from their shells.
• Rinse the clams with cool water after scrubbing. 

3. How to cook clams

For cooked clams like our Pacific White Shelled Clams and Korea Bay Asari Clams, we suggest steaming clams for 4 to 9 minutes or boiling them for 3 to 5 minutes. 

Cooking Tip: Do not throw away the liquid inside our packaging as these are the clams' natural juices and flavour. Cook them together for a tasty experience!

4. How to store clams

Our Pacific White Shelled Clams and Korea Bay Asari Clams are already cleaned and cooked and delivered frozen, so it’s best to store them in the freezer compartment, Alternatively, if you’re cooking them soon, you can place your cooked clams in a covered container to thaw and they can store for up to 2 days in the chiller. Once thawed, do not refreeze.

Be sure to check the expiry date printed on the packaging. Based on the label packaging,  our Pacific White Shelled Clams can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 years. As for our Korea Bay Asari Clams, you can store them in the freezer for up to 1 year.

If you're looking to buy clams, you're in luck! Check out our Korea Bay Asari Clams, now priced at $3 as part of our Birthday Treats promotion. Stay tuned for more sales on our Birthday items this month.

Source: 

• https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/selecting-and-serving-fresh-and-frozen-seafood-safely 
• https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-clean-clams#7xP35fg5qCXkiwpKdy3ssN
• https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/safe-selection-and-handling-fish-and-shellfish
• https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/4400/332-072-RecHarvest.pdf
• https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/Documents/Shellfish-safety.pdf
• https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-information/risk-at-a-glance/safety-of-bivalve
• https://stripedspatula.com/fresh-clams-guide/
• https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-prepare-clams-1808798
• https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/meat-poultry-fish-seafood-safety/shellfish-food-safety.html
• https://foodschmooze.org/recipe/how-to-doctor-canned-clam-sauce-to-make-luscious-linguine/