difference between clams and mussels

Both mussels and clams originate in similar mollusk (hinge-shell creatures) families but there are differences between them. Mussels come from saltwater and freshwater alike. Their shells are long and less circular than their clam counterparts. ... Clams, however, are only found in freshwater.

1. Are clams and mussels the same thing?
2. Are clams or mussels healthy?
3. How are mussels oysters and clams different?
4. Can you substitute mussels for clams?
5. Why are mussels so cheap?
6. What is the black thing in mussels?
7. What is the most unhealthy fish to eat?
8. Why lobster is bad for you?
9. What tastes better mussels or clams?
10. Can you eat raw mussels?
11. Do mussels feel pain?
12. Can you eat zebra mussels?

Are clams and mussels the same thing?

Oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops—aren't those all the same thing? ... A clam is any of various bivalve mollusks, especially certain edible species. Mussels are any bivalve mollusk, especially an edible marine bivalve of the family Mytilidae and a freshwater clam of the family Unionidae.

Are clams or mussels healthy?

Regularly eating shellfish — especially oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, and crab — may improve your zinc status and overall immune function. Shellfish are loaded with protein and healthy fats that may aid weight loss.

How are mussels oysters and clams different?

The main difference between clams mussels and oysters is that clams live in fresh or salt water, having hard shells that are smooth and shiny, and mussels live in fresh or salt water, having shells that are oval in shape and elongated at the ends whereas oysters live in salt water, having a more calcified, irregular ...

Can you substitute mussels for clams?

i have found you can make almost any mussel recipe by substituting clams, PROVIDED you use clams at least 2.5 inches in shell diameter. Baby clams do not hold up to some of the hearty mussel recipes such as in a pot of 'red' sauce. Generally I use cherrystones.

Why are mussels so cheap?

That's because mussel aquaculture is zero-input, meaning that the mussels don't need food or fertilizer—unlike farmed shrimp or salmon, which require tons of feed and produce a great deal of waste. ... But mussels are cheaper, not to mention—in this writer's opinion—generally tastier and easier to love.)

What is the black thing in mussels?

It is the plankton (and other microscopic creatures) eaten by the muscle that are still in its digestive tract when caught and cooked – ie. the undigested remnants the mussel did not have time to digest.

What is the most unhealthy fish to eat?

6 Fish to Avoid

• Bluefin Tuna.
• Chilean Sea Bass (aka Patagonian Toothfish)
• Grouper.
• Monkfish.
• Orange Roughy.
• Salmon (farmed)

Why lobster is bad for you?

Lobster does serve up a high dose of sodium, however — nearly half of the recommended daily amount for healthy diners. That can be dangerous if you have high blood pressure. To enjoy lobster at its most healthful, boil or roast it. Resist the temptation to add buckets of melted butter, and definitely don't deep-fry it.

What tastes better mussels or clams?

There's a significant difference in the taste between the two as well. Both shellfish have a briny, salty flavor to them, but some would argue that the taste of a mussel is more mild than that of a clam (via Spoon University).

Can you eat raw mussels?

Mussels can be eaten raw. The risks are similar to eating any raw molluskan shellfish such as clams or oysters. Eating undercooked mussels, clams, or oysters is a food safety risk. In the US, coastal shellfish harvesting waters and shellfish are tested to make sure live shellfish are safe to eat.

Do mussels feel pain?

At least according to such researchers as Diana Fleischman, the evidence suggests that these bivalves don't feel pain. Because this is part of a collection of Valentine's Day essays, here's perhaps the most important piece: I love oysters, and mussels, too.

Can you eat zebra mussels?

Most clams and mussels are edible, but that does not mean they taste good! Many species and fish and ducks eat zebra mussels, so they are not harmful in that sense. Zebra mussels are so small and do not have much in the way of "meat" inside them, you would have to be pretty hungry to want to eat them.