Northern Quahog
Mercenaria mercenaria
Also known as Quahog, Hard clam, Round clam, Chowder clam
Culinary Profile
Mild flavor, sweet, and briny.
Clams are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Adult quahogs are just less than 3 inches but can reach up to 5 inches. The shell is thick, grey to white in color, and has outer concentric growth rings. The inside of the shell is white with violet markings. Some hatchery raised clams have dark, zigzag stripes across the shell known as “notata”.
Biology
Clams are part of the shellfish family. Like oysters, mussels, and scallops they are bivalve mollusks, and have a hinged shell. Clams have slow growth rates and can live 12 to 20 years on average and up to 40 years. Adults are sessile—they stay in one place—and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas. Clams burrow into the sediment, leaving only their siphons exposed to feed.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Available year-round.
Source
Primarily Virginia, Washington, Florida, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Northern Quahog ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | 11.28 µg | 5 / 106 | 95% |
| Iron | 1.62 mg | 11 / 111 | 90% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Zinc | 0.51 mg | 48 / 111 | 57% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 43 mg | 82 / 104 | 21% |
| Selenium | 30.6 µg | 90 / 106 | 15% |
| Protein | 14.67 g | 91 / 111 | 18% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 64 mg | 92 / 104 | 12% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Northern Quahog.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Northern Quahog, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Quahog a good source of iron?
Per 100 g raw, Northern Quahog provides 1.62 mg of iron — the protein matrix in fish flesh makes this heme iron, which absorbs more efficiently than the non-heme iron in plant sources.
Is Northern Quahog a lean fish or a rich one?
At 86 kcal per 100 g raw, Northern Quahog counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
What else is Northern Quahog called?
Northern Quahog is also marketed as Quahog, Hard clam, Round clam, Chowder clam.
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.