What is the Difference Between Bay Scallops and Sea Scallops

The main difference between bay scallops and sea scallops is their size. Bay scallops are usually about half an inch wide, while sea scallops can be about two inches wide. Therefore, sea scallops are generally more than three times larger than bay scallops.

We mainly categorize scallops into two types as Bay scallops and sea scallops. Bay scallops are found in bays, estuaries, and cold and shallow waters of the East coast, while sea scallops are found in the deep ocean waters around the world.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Bay Scallops 
      – Definition, Features
2. What are Sea Scallops
     – Definition, Features
3. Bay Scallops Compared to Sea Scallops
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bay Scallops, Sea Scallops

What are Bay Scallops

Bay scallops are the scallops found in bays, estuaries, and cold and shallow waters of the East coast. Bay scallops are typically smaller in size than sea scallops – about half an inch wide (this is about 1/3 the size of sea scallops). The weight can range from 50 to 100 scallops per pound. Although they are smaller in size, they have a sweeter flavour and have tender meat. They are typically used in seafood stews and casseroles. They are also less expensive than sea scallops.

When considering the structure of bay scallops, what we call bay scallop is the adductor muscle that hinges the two shells. This is why bay scallops have a small size. The rest of the bay scallop is the coral (which is the ovary), and this part is inedible. Most of the scallops sold in the US today are imported from Mexico and China, as their domestic scallop population have decreased in recent years.

What are Sea Scallops

As their name suggests, sea scallops are found in deep ocean waters around the world. They are usually found up to up to 200 meters deep in cold seawater. In the United States, sea scallops are usually found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Sea scallops are larger than bay scallops, usually more than three times larger. They can be up to two inches in diameter. They are also a little chewier than bay scallops. If we consider their weight, there are about 20 to 30 scallops in a pound of sea scallops. When you order seared scallops in a restaurant, you will usually get sea scallops.

Bay Scallops Compared to Sea Scallops

Main Difference

Bay scallops are small scallops found in bays, estuaries, and cold and shallow waters of the East coast, while sea scallops are large scallops found in the deep ocean waters around the world.

Location

While bay scallops are found in bays, estuaries, and cold and shallow waters of the East coast, while sea scallops are found in the deep ocean waters around the world.

Size

Moreover, bay scallops are usually about half an inch wide, while sea scallops can be about two inches wide. Therefore, sea scallops are generally more than three times larger than bay scallops.

Numbers in a Pound

There are about 50 to 10 scallops in a pound of bay scallops whereas there are about 20 to 30 scallops in a pound of sea scallops.

Flavour and Texture

Bay scallops are sweeter and tender than sea scallops, while sea scallops are a little chewier.

Cooking

Since bay scallops are sweeter, more delicate, they cook quickly and are good for broiling, gentle poaching, and quick sautés, while sea scallops, with their chewier texture, are better for searing.

Price

Moreover, bay scallops are less expensive than sea scallops.

Conclusion

In short, bay scallops are usually about half an inch wide, but sea scallops can be about two inches wide. Therefore, sea scallops are generally more than three times larger than bay scallops. In addition, bay scallops are sweeter and tender than sea scallops, while sea scallops are a little chewier. Thus, this is the difference between bay scallops and sea scallops.

Reference:

1. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “Sweet and Delicate Scallops: Buying, Cooking, and Recipes.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
2. Tomlinson, Mary. “What Are Scallops? Everything You Need to Know.” Southern Living, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hervey bay scallops” By jules (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Sea scallops 49454997_m” By Kurman Communications, Inc. (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr