Clams vs Oysters: What’s the Difference?

Non-frequent seafood eaters might believe that clams and oysters are basically the same type of mollusk or, at least, can’t point out any differences between the two. But these two sea creatures are quite different in several ways, and we think it’s important to set the record straight. After all, the two are used for different types of meals because they differ in texture and flavor, so it’s a good idea to know if an oyster or clam is the better choice for your dish. The clam and oyster are both considered a bivalve mollusk species. This means that they have a two-part shell that’s hinged to open and close. Inside the shell is where you’ll find their “bodies,” or the meaty part that we eat. They share their species with the scallop, mussel, and similar mollusks. Interestingly, bivalve mollusks can live in just about any coastal waters, although their habitats may cause a Pacific oyster to taste different from an Atlantic oyster you’d find on the Maine coastline. These animals are also prey for many ocean creatures, lending themselves as necessary parts of ocean life balance.

What are Clams?

Clams are bivalve mollusks that have a hinge in the back of their two shells and a rounded shape. Clams are filter feeders that suck in water and food before they excrete it back out through a set of gills. They also use their gills much like fish to essentially “breathe” under water. Clams can live in freshwater or saltwater, but are more commonly found in saltwater environments. They spend a lot of time buried in the sand at the ocean’s floor.

Types of Clams

There are numerous types of clams found around the world, but they’re often separated into two categories: hard shell and soft shell. Hard shell clams usually have a thicker, more durable shell than softshell clams. The siphon of soft shell clams is tougher than that of hard shell clams, which can make them a bit more difficult to remove. Beyond that, they don’t tend to taste much different. Here are a few common types of clams:

• Giant clam
• Razor clam
• Pacific clam
• Bamboo clam
• Manila clam
• Ocean Quahog
• Littleneck clam

Although they look very similar, cockles aren’t clams. These small bivalve mollusks are related, but they’re much smaller than most clams and have ribbed shells.

What are Oysters?

Oysters are another type of bivalve mollusk that can live in freshwater or saltwater environments. You’ll mostly find them in the ocean, though, especially near rocky coasts. Like clams, oysters are filter feeders, so they get their nutrients by sucking in and filtering water. Oysters aid sea life by creating habitats for many small ocean animals, like barnacles and sea anemones, which live and hide in oyster reefs. Contrary to popular belief, not all oysters make pearls (at least, not the kind many people think of when they think of a pearl). Pearl oysters are quite difficult to find, as they spend most of their time far below the ocean’s surface.

Types of Oysters

Like other shell fish, oysters have many sub-species that look and taste a bit different from each other. A few common oyster species include:

• Olympia oyster
• Sydney rock oyster
• Eastern oyster
• Pacific oyster
• Thorny oyster
• European flat oyster

Clams vs Oysters: What are the Main Differences?

Now, let’s get into the primary differences between the clam and oyster.

Environments

Both an oyster and clam can live in freshwater or saltwater environments. However, it’s more common to see them both in saltwater ocean habitats than freshwater lakes and streams, especially when it comes to the oyster. Oysters love shores with plenty of rocks for them to set up their oyster reef habitats. Another key difference in their environments is how they choose to live within them. Clams often bury into the sand at the floor of the ocean. This is not just what’s comfortable for them; it’s also a great safety mechanism to keep them hidden. Oysters, on the other hand, like to attach themselves to rocks and other hard surfaces beneath the water. They may also cling to the shells of other oysters, which helps them form their reefs.

Appearance

Because of the oyster’s preference for living in rocky areas, their shells are much rougher than a clam’s. Most oyster shells have wavy edges and bumpy surfaces, unlike the clam’s smooth shell. That, of course, comes from constantly going in and out of the sand. The sand works as a clam’s natural exfoliator! The shells of clams and oysters can come in a variety of colors, but they usually range in shades of tan and gray. Their meat is similar looking, too, but clam meat is usually whitish to tan in color, while oysters are usually more grayish.

Flavor

Oysters and clams have similar flavors, especially those that come from the same type of water (saltwater vs freshwater). However, they do have some distinctions that make them better choices for some meals than others. Clams tend to have a saltier flavor than oysters, and the taste can be very strong. Oysters, on the other hand, are often described as having a sweeter, almost buttery flavor. This could be the reason why some people enjoy oysters raw, straight from the shell; they don’t really need butter or another sauce to give them that buttery seafood flavor.

Texture

We mentioned that the shell texture of clams and oysters are quite different, but what about the meat inside? Texture usually lends to a food’s flavor, and the same is true for oysters and clams. Clams have a bit more of a rubbery texture than oysters. Oysters are smooth and, whether eaten raw or cooked, have a much more tender bite. Of course, this depends on the type of oyster and clam you eat. Some clams, like the Littleneck, are known for being juicy and tender.

Price

Prices of clams and oysters can vary significantly, depending on where you live. In areas where one is abundant, you’ll pay less per pound for it than other types of seafood that isn’t as readily available in the area. Generally, you can expect to pay more per pound for oysters, largely because of their status as a “luxury” seafood. Oysters are often thought of as high-end shellfish, bringing them up in value a little more. And, because many oysters are eaten raw, they only have a few days of shelf life to get to their destination to be safely consumed, driving up their price tags.

Usage

Clams and oysters work in many of the same meals, which is good news for you if you can find one of them for a much lower price than the other. Stews, chowders, soups, stir-fry, and steamed dishes pair well with either one. Still, you more commonly see clams used in dishes and oysters eaten solo. That could be because of the price difference between the two. It might just be more economical for you to buy clams in bulk for a chowder than it is to buy oysters. But when you want to enjoy that ocean flavor on its own, you might opt for oysters, which are usually more decadent than clams without any additions.

Nutrition

Oysters and clams are packed with nutritional value in each serving (about three ounces) and are relatively low in calories, making them impressively healthy options for many people. Oysters have about 7 grams of protein in a serving, and tons of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Iron, and Selenium. Clams are loaded with protein, offering as many as 20-25 grams in a single serving. They also contain an excellent amount of Iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Niacin and Selenium. Both mollusks are low in fat, making them good, lean sources of protein.

Clams vs Oysters: No Seafood Debate Here!

Ultimately, the mollusk you choose to eat is going to be the one you enjoy cooking and tasting the most. We suggest trying both clams and oysters because preferences vary. Try cooking them in similar ways to determine which shellfish will be your go-to. As always, come back and visit us on Seafood U, where we share seafood cooking tips, recipes, and inspiration to bring more delicious seafood into your kitchen. Also, check out our live lobster and selection of shellfish that you can order conveniently online.