Gross to gourmet: a social media analysis of Naked Clams as a sustainable delicacy

Shipway, J. Reuben ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6838-1917 , Tupper, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6157-7714 and Willer, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-8503 (2024) Gross to gourmet: a social media analysis of Naked Clams as a sustainable delicacy. Food Frontiers, 5 (6). pp. 2641-2651.

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Abstract

Amidst a global food crisis, securing sustainable food sources is vital. Bivalves such as Naked Clams, historically known as shipworms, offer a promising solution due to their low environmental impact, high nutritional value, and rapid growth rates. Contrary to their image as pests, Naked Clams are the fastest growing bivalves and have various health benefits. Believed to be the world's first aquaculture species, cultivated by Aboriginal Australians 8000 years ago, they are a delicacy in Southeast Asia. Public perception of Naked Clams remains largely unexplored, hindered by their association as pests and worm‐like appearance. This study assesses the perception of Naked Clams through social media, analyzing 40 posts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with millions of views and likes. Analysis of nearly 8000 comments revealed that public perception was split, though generally more positive than negative. Concerns included appearance, potential religious dietary conflicts, and the risk of parasites, which can be addressed with educational campaigns. Importantly, 84% of commenters who tried Naked Clams reported liking them. Naked Clams are noted for their high protein content, nutrient density, and health benefits, and are enjoyed in diverse culinary forms, from traditional raw dishes, to battered calamari‐style street foods, to innovative recipes like Naked Clam ice cream. This study highlights the untapped potential of Naked Clams in global diets and calls for further exploration into moving Naked Clams from “gross to gourmet.”

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Food Frontiers
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	2643-8429
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Forestry and Conservation Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA)
Additional Information:	Mark Tupper, Associate Professor, Institute of Science and Environment, University of Cumbria, UK. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	19 Sep 2024 08:57
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 13:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8400

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