Magazine F: No. 13 CLAM

Clams refer to mollusks with complex anatomical structures, spanning a range of species such as scallops, razor clams, butter clams, blood cockles, Asian hardshell clams, and mussels. Feeding mostly on only microorganisms like plankton, clams are like crops—two things that became both sustenance and treasures to humans since before the age of agrarian societies. Known as environmental cleaners that remove nitrogen from ocean waters and lower carbon dioxide levels in the air, clams are emerging as sustainable food for the future. The unrivaled aroma and texture of these mollusks inspired myriad clam dishes across the globe, with some comparing the wide flavor nuances to the different marks of terroir on wines.