Hard Clam - Quahog

Hard Clam - Quahog
Cherrystone Clams

[Quahogs - Chowder Clams, Cherrystones, Topnecks, Littlenecks, Countnecks, Mercenaria mercenaria]

This common North Atlantic is found on the coast of North America from Prince Edward Island, Canada all they way down to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico but production is centered along the coast of the state of Rhode Island in New England, USA. Some are now farmed on the US and Mexican Pacific coast, England and northern Europe.

While any size can be called a "quahog" that designation is usually reserved for the largest sizes. The names given above from Chowder Clams to Countnecks are size designations in descending order. The photo specimens are Cherrystones from Mexico and were up to 3.4 inches the long way by 2.7 inches and 1.8 inches thick. 3 pounds yielded just over 6 ounces of meat (12.6%) so at US $2.99/# the meat was $23.73 per pound. The meat is fairly chewy so these are best chopped up. More on Bivalves.

Sizes

These designations are approximate as conventions differ from region to region and have changed with marketing conditions over the years.

Quahog - Chowder Clams: 3-1/2 to 6 inches wide.
Cherrystone: 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches wide - 3 to 4 clams per pound.
Topneck: Larger size Littlenecks - 5 to 6 clams per pound - replaced "medium" for marketing convenience.
Littleneck: to 2-1/2 inches wide - 6 to 12 clams per pound.
Countneck: under 1 inch