Clam juice facts for kids
Clam juice is a savory liquid made from clams. It's like a broth or stock. People get it by steaming clams and collecting the liquid. This juice is used in many ways. You can drink it plain or add it to different foods and drinks.
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How Clam Juice is Made
Clam juice usually comes from steamed clams. You can make it fresh at home. Or, you can buy it already bottled from stores. Some companies make a lot of clam juice. They steam fresh clams in water with salt. Then, they collect the liquid. This liquid is called clam extract or clam liquor. Finally, they filter it to make it clean.
In 1937, a man named William G. Frazier invented a special clam opener. This tool helped open clams easily. It also made sure to catch all the clam juice in a bowl. He received a patent for his invention in 1938.
Using Clam Juice in Food
Clam juice is often used when making clam chowder. It can also be added to other types of chowder. Chefs use it in different sauces. It's great in seafood dishes too. Sometimes, it's a base for soups. You can even use it like a condiment. It's a bit like how fish sauce is used.
Italian chefs sometimes add clam juice to seafood dishes. They also use it in pasta sauces. It can help combine flavors in a dish. It might give food a unique, mineral-like taste.
Drinking Clam Juice
Some restaurants and bars serve small shots of pure clam juice. For example, a famous place in San Francisco, California, serves hot clam juice. They offer it in a small glass at the start of each meal.
Years ago, a club in Chicago, Illinois, called the Everleigh Club, served clam juice. They would offer iced clam juice. This was given as a starter for breakfast.
Drinks Made with Clam Juice
In the early 1900s, clam juice was used in many drinks. These were often served at soda fountains. Some popular drinks included hot clam juice. Others were hot clam soda and hot ginger clam broth. There were also hot celery punch and hot clam cream.
A recipe for hot clam juice used a small amount of clam juice. The rest of the glass was filled with hot water. People often added soda crackers, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Sometimes, milk or hot milk was added. A small bit of butter could also make it taste better.
Clamato is a popular drink you can buy in stores. It's made with tomato juice and clam juice. It also has spices. Clamato is a key ingredient in the Caesar cocktail. The michelada, which is a beer cocktail, sometimes uses Clamato too.
