What is the difference between the short-neck clam and the green mussel? A quick guide to telling them apart

The short-neck clam and the green mussel are both shellfish from the sea, and they are common shellfish seafood that people eat, with a delicious taste and rich nutrition. Below we introduce the difference between the short-neck clam and the green mussel.

1. The difference between the short-neck clam and the green mussel

The short-neck clam is widely distributed in the sea areas of northern and southern China. Its shell is 2.5-5.7 cm long. The shell is white, yellow, brown, light brown or dark brown, sometimes with radiating lines, stripes, large spots or dark brown sawtooth patterns, and its color and texture are richer than those of the green mussel. The green mussel is commonly found along the coast of Fuzhou. The small ones are 3-4 cm wide, and the large ones are more than 10 cm. The shell is bright in color, with light brown or dark brown arc-shaped lines, and it is thicker than the short-neck clam. The short-neck clam is commonly eaten by quick-frying, while the green mussel is generally used to make soup.

2. What are the benefits of the short-neck clam?

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that clam meat has the effects of nourishing yin and brightening the eyes, softening hardness, and reducing phlegm, and some shellfish also have the effect of boosting essence and moistening the organs; everyone can eat it, and it is especially suitable for people with high cholesterol and high blood lipids, as well as people with diseases such as enlarged thyroid, bronchitis and stomach problems.

3. How much does the short-neck clam cost per jin?

The short-neck clam is also called ge li, and the price is between 9-20 yuan/kg. According to the information provided by the National Agricultural Products Business Information Public Service Platform, on October 16, 2019, the price of the short-neck clam was: Shandong Qingdao Chengyang Vegetable and Aquatic Products Wholesale Market sold it at 10 yuan/kg, Shandong Weihai Aquatic Products Wholesale Market sold it at 9 yuan/kg, and Xinjiang Urumqi Beiyuanchun Wholesale Market sold it at 20 yuan/kg.