CHIP-CHIP

Chip-Chip shells

Chip-chip (Donax striatus), a bivalve with bluish white to pink shells that is found buried in the sand in the inter-tidal zone is abundant in Mayaro. Regarded by some as an aphrodisiac, chip-chip is a delicacy that can be prepared in various ways. The most common is curried chip-chip which can be eaten with almost anything; however I love it with a variety of ground provision. The water produced from this shell fish found its way into the calypso world, when in 1930, King Radio, a Barbadian calypsonian, sang, "If you want to keep the body in order, then lick me down with some chip chip water and if you think ah lie give some to you daughter." The chip-chip water is used to wash the substance inside the shell before cooking or some people uses it to cook the chip-chip itself. 

Digging for chip-chip in the sand can be a fun activity especially if it is done in a group. What you see on the sand is a closed shell which you then have to open to get the chip-chip and it's water. When visiting Mayaro you can take a walk along the beautiful beaches and collect some chip-chip to make a great cook.

Chip-Chip on the sea shores

During the Dry Season, February through April, there is literally a bounty of fresh chip-chip (mini clams) at your feet.

Tip To collect chip-chip

Look for clusters of small dimples in the sand close to the waters edge at low tide. Now, simply dig them out with your hands and put them into the kitchen sieve you brought along and wash off the sand. Then either scald them by pouring a little boiling water over them to make them easier to open, or place them in clean, clear seawater for a day, to give them time to expel any sand in their gut, and open them by hand.