Clams to Cash: How to Make and Sell Giant Clam Shell ... - eXtension

Clams to Cash: How to Make and Sell Giant Clam Shell ProductsPage 6Post-Harvest ProcessingCleaning Giant Clam ShellsThree methods are commonly used for cleaning giant clam shells. The method orcombination of methods to use depends on the product you wish to make.Sun DryingSun drying is the cheapest and easiest way to clean clam shells, but it has somelimitations. Sun drying results in a fairly clean rather than perfectly clean product. Simply laythe clam shells out neatly, in a single layer—not in a pile—on the ground or pavement.Within a few weeks, the natural elements of sun and rain will have done a good but notexcellent job of bleaching the shells. Some small bits of dried tissue or detritus may remainon the inside or outside of the shells.Naturally bleached shells can sometimes be sold “as is” to tourists for use as gardenornaments or curios. A contingent of tourists out there wants shells with a “natural”appearance, which means that an imperfectly cleaned shell is desirable to them, but thesefolks are a small minority. Most buyers want their shells as close to perfectly clean aspossible, particularly, and understandably, those who plan to use the shells as salad bowls orsashimi dishes. In that case, chemical cleaning with acids and bases is necessary to reveal theunderlying beauty and value of the shells.Chemical BleachingReally white shells can be obtained by using a chemical bleach called sodiumhypochlorite, which is commonly sold in grocery stores as liquid laundry bleach; Clorox is awidely available brand. Sodium hypochlorite is an extremely strong chemical base, whichattacks and dissolves the proteinaceous scum and tissue remnants on dead clam shells. Use itwith caution as it is extremely caustic and can burn skin and eyes on contact.June 1996