Geoduck clam

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NORTH AMERICAN SAIJIKI

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Geoduck Clam

***** Location: North America
***** Season: Winter
***** Category: Animal

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Explanation


The geoduck, scientific name Panopea generosa, is a species of very large, edible, saltwater clam in the family Hiatellidae.
The common name is derived from a Native American word meaning "dig deep".

The geoduck is native to the west coast of North America, primarily occurring in Greater Seattle or Washington State. The shell of the clam ranges from 15 centimetres (5.9 in) to over 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length, but the extremely long siphons make the clam itself very much longer than this: the "neck" or siphons alone can be 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length. The geoduck is both one of the largest clams in the world, and one of the longest-lived animals of any type. As adults they have very few predators other than humans.



These clams were not fished commercially until the 1970s, but in recent decades a huge demand from Asian markets has developed, and the clams are now farmed as well as being harvested in the wild. The clams currently sell for huge sums of money, which has made poaching a problem. Farming techniques are under scrutiny for their possible negative environmental impact.

Culinary uses
The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape. A team of American and Italian researchers analyzed bivalves and found they were rich in amino acids that trigger increased levels of sex hormones. Their high zinc content aids the production of testosterone.
It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy, mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot. In Korean cuisine, geoducks are eaten raw with spicy chili sauce, sautéed, or in soups and stews.

In Japan, geoduck is prepared as raw sashimi, dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. On Japanese menus in cheaper sushi restaurants, geoduck is sometimes substituted for (Tresus keenae) and labeled mirugai or mirukuigai. It is considered to have a texture similar to an ark shell (known in Japanese as akagai).
It is worth noticing that although mirugai is sometimes translated into English as "giant clam", it is distinguished from himejako sushi which is made from Tridacna gigas.
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Worldwide use

Japan
kigo for all winter

Mirukui 海松喰 (みるくい) trough shell
Tresus keenae, ミルクイ
mirugai 海松貝（みるがい）
mirukuigai ミルクイガイ（海松食貝）




Served as sashimi or sushi.
Found in the shallow sea around Honshu and Kyushu.


. SEAFOOD SAIJIKI .


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

digging deep
for a geoduck -
northwest shore


The word 'geoduck' is of Native American origin, meaning "dig deep".
Shared by Elaine Andre
Haiku Culture Magazine, FB



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Related words

***** . SEAFOOD SAIJIKI .


***** NORTH AMERICAN SAIJIKI PROJECTS

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