A bowl of mussels.
What's The Difference Between Clams And Mussels?

NEWS

By ALICIA BETZ
Steamed clams in a bowl with a lemon slice.
Clams and mussels both belong to a group of animals called mollusks and they are both filter feeders, meaning they filter water to extract tiny particles of food to eat.
Steamed mussels in a bowl.
Both mollusks have two shells that can vary in appearance, but clam shells are typically more rounded and pretty symmetrical, while mussels are usually longer.
A batch of clams.
Clams are often gray or light brown and white, while mussels are darker. Both inhabit salt and freshwater, with clams primarily found in sediment and mussels on rocks or seabed.
Paella with mussels in a pan.
As for the flavor, clams are sweeter, saltier, and have a firm texture, whereas mussels have an earthy or nutty flavor with a tender texture that can become creamy in some dishes.
A bowl of clams.
While the habitat of the mollusk can play a role in how it tastes, you will find differences between the two that are pretty consistent regardless of where they come from.