Whelk

Whelk (also known as scungilli) is a common name that is applied to various kinds of sea snail.[1] Although a number of whelks are relatively large and are in the family Buccinidae (the true whelks), the word whelk is also applied to some other marine gastropod species within several families of sea snails that are not very closely related.

Several different species of large whelks in the family Buccinidae on sale at a fish market in Japan.
A wild whelk at Miller's Point near Cape Town.

Many have historically been used, or are still used, by humans and other animals for food. In a 100-gram (3 1⁄2-ounce) reference serving of whelk, there are 570 kilojoules (137 kilocalories) of food energy, 24 g of protein, 0.34 g of fat, and 8 g of carbohydrates.[2])

Dog whelks were used in antiquity to make a rich red dye that improves in color as it ages.[3]

True whelks are carnivorous, feeding on worms, crustaceans, mussels and other molluscs, drilling holes through shells to gain access to the soft tissues. Whelks use chemoreceptors to locate their prey.[4]

Usage

The common name "whelk" is also spelled welk or even wilk.

The species, genera and families referred to by this common name vary a great deal from one geographic area to another.

United States

In the United States, whelk refers to several large edible species in the genera Busycon and Busycotypus, which are now classified in the family Buccinidae. These are sometimes called Busycon whelks.

In addition, the unrelated invasive murex Rapana venosa is referred to as the Veined rapa whelk or Asian rapa whelk in the family Muricidae.

British Isles, Belgium, Netherlands

In the British Isles, Belgium and the Netherlands (wulk/wullok), the word is used for a number of species in the family Buccinidae, especially Buccinum undatum, an edible European and Northern Atlantic species.

In the British Isles, the common name "dog whelk" is used for Nucella lapillus (family Muricidae) and for Nassarius species (family Nassariidae). Historically, they were a popular street food in Victorian London, typically located close to public houses and theatres.[5]

Scotland

In Scotland, the word "whelk" is also used to mean the periwinkle (Littorina littorea), family Littorinidae.[6]

West Indies

In the English-speaking islands of the West Indies, the word whelks or wilks (this word is both singular and plural) is applied to a large edible top shell, Cittarium pica, also known as the magpie or West Indian top shell, family Trochidae.

Asia
Skewered whelks from Japan.

In Japan, whelks (ツブ, 螺, tsubu) are frequently used in sashimi and sushi. In Vietnam, they are served in a dish called Bún ốc - vermicelli with sea snails. Golbaengi-muchim (골뱅이 무침) is a Korean dish consisting of whelks and with chili sauce in a salad with cold noodles. It has been a very popular side dish with alcohol for many generations.

Australia, New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand, species of the genus Cabestana (family Ranellidae) are called predatory whelks, and species of Penion (family Buccinidae) are called siphon whelks.

Some common examples

See also
  • Conch, another common name used for a wide variety of large sea snails or their shells

References
  1. "Identify This...Conchs and Whelks - Reefland.com". www.reefland.com.
  2. "Nutrition and Calories in Whelk". recipeofhealth.com.
  3. Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England by Saint the Venerable Bede (Book 1, Chapter 1).
  4. "Snails and Slugs (Gastropoda)". www.molluscs.at.
  5. Werner, Alex. (2011). Dickens's Victorian London : 1839-1901. Williams, Tony., Museum of London. London: Museum of London. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-09-194373-8. OCLC 754167835.
  6. Multilingual Dictionary of Fish and Fish Products, prepared by the OECD, Paris, second edition, 1978
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