Did You Know? The Famous Cod Is Not a Fish

Written by Alisson Ficher

Published on 03/01/2025 at 13:22

Updated on 03/01/2025 at 13:28

bacalhau curiosidades, tradições culinárias, Semana Santa, culinária portuguesa, história do bacalhau, salgados e secos, consumo no Brasil

48 people reacted to this.

Cod, A Constant Presence in Brazilian and Portuguese Cuisine, Refers Not to a Single Species of Fish, But to Several That, After Being Salted and Dried, Receive This Designation.

Discover the history, curiosities, and importance of this traditional food that has won palates around the world.

Much more than a culinary ingredient, cod carries stories and curiosities that intrigue even the greatest admirers of gastronomy.

Even though it is a traditional symbol on occasions like Holy Week and Christmas, few know that, in fact, cod is not a fish — it is a group of species.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

So, What Is Cod?

According to the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine, the term “cod” encompasses only three species of fish recognized by Brazilian law: Gadus morhua (Porto Cod or Cod), Gadus macrocephalus (Pacific Cod), and Gadus ogac (Greenland Cod).

These species originate from the cold and deep waters of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in regions like Norway, Russia, Iceland, Canada, and Alaska.

Interestingly, the famous “Porto Cod” is not fished in Portugal, as many believe. In fact, it comes from Nordic countries but gained its name because the traditional export port was located in Portugal.

Furthermore, the food does not necessarily need to go through the salting process to be called cod — what matters is belonging to one of the three species mentioned.

How Did Cod Become a “Faithful Friend” of the Portuguese?

According to BBC Brasil, the relationship between Portugal and cod dates back to the end of the 14th century.

During this time, Portuguese navigators faced long sea voyages and needed food that could withstand adverse conditions and time.

Dry and salted cod proved to be the perfect solution, as it could be stored for years without spoiling.

The custom of consuming cod became established, and the fish came to be called “faithful friend” in Portugal.

The most popular preparation method is still the dry and salted version, similar to that enjoyed in Brazil.

According to data from the Norwegian government, approximately 95% of the cod exported to Portugal is salted and dried, reflecting this historical preference.

Why Is Cod So Consumed in Brazil?

The consumption of cod in Brazil is a result of Portuguese influence, which brought the tradition to the country during the colonial period.

The food gained special prominence during Holy Week, when many Brazilians choose to replace red meats with fish, in respect for religious traditions.

Cod balls, bacalhoada, and stuffed pastries are just some of the recipes that are popular here.

Despite its high cost, cod remains a valued item in Brazilian cuisine.

The fish, always imported, primarily comes from Norway, considered the largest producer and exporter of cod in the world.

Conservation Technique: The Secret to Success

The salting and drying process is the great secret behind the longevity of cod. This technique, developed centuries ago, allows the fish to be stored in non-refrigerated conditions for long periods.

The method was widely used by Vikings, navigators, and fishermen, being essential for transporting food in times when there were no refrigerators or modern conservation systems.

Curious Facts About Cod

Although the term “cod” refers to three specific species, other fish can be marketed as cod, as long as they undergo the salting and drying process.
Cod is considered an extremely nutritious food, rich in omega-3, proteins, and B-complex vitamins.
The majority of the cod sold in Brazil is of the Gadus morhua type, due to its delicate texture and characteristic flavor.

Cod is much more than an ingredient; it is a symbol of traditions and stories that have traversed centuries.

Whether in Brazilian or Portuguese cuisine, it continues to captivate generations with its unique flavor and versatility.

What is your favorite cod dish? Did you know these facts? Share in the comments!

Did You Know? The Famous Cod Is Not a Fish

Cod, A Constant Presence in Brazilian and Portuguese Cuisine, Refers Not to a Single Species of Fish, But to Several That, After Being Salted and Dried, Receive This Designation.

So, What Is Cod?

Why Is Cod So Consumed in Brazil?

The Soviet Union spent 22 years drilling into the Earth’s crust and reached a depth of 12,262 meters — they found water where it was thought impossible, hydrogen bubbling from the rock, granite that is 2.7 billion years old, and temperatures of 180 degrees that melted the drill bits.

Norway is drilling 27 kilometers of rock 392 meters below the bottom of a fjord to build the world’s largest and deepest underwater road tunnel — when completed, a 21-hour journey will be reduced to 10.

Chinese engineers begin filling a 217-meter dam at an altitude of 3,000 meters and prepare a 2,240 MW hydroelectric power plant to integrate hydropower, solar, and wind energy in the upper Jinsha.

A German architect built a cylindrical house in 1994 that rotates to follow the sun throughout the day, generates 5 times more energy than it consumes, and was the world’s first energy-positive house.

An astronaut spent 340 days in space while his twin brother stayed on Earth, and NASA found a “rejuvenating” effect, genes, microbiome, cognition, and immune system that revealed the biological cost of living outside the planet.

The island that has 35 inhabitants and celebrates Christmas on January 6: the remote island of Foula lives in isolation, without internet and following Julius Caesar’s calendar for centuries.

Antiviral nanospikes create an antiviral surface that destroys 96% of viruses in 6 hours without chemicals and targets hospitals, transportation, and daily-use screens.

Goodbye expensive energy? RPA Technology’s solar tilt pole works off-grid, quickly reduces costs, and is becoming a popular choice for cities and farms that want efficient and sustainable lighting.

The planet registered 420 water conflicts in 2024, the highest number ever documented, and the dispute over rivers like the Nile, Colorado, Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, and Mekong exposes a race for dams that downstream countries already see as a threat of hydrological war.

Paraguay surprises with Sipap, its own Pix, which has been growing since 2020, reaches millions of monthly transactions, operates non-stop, and sparks curiosity about the real impact of this change on daily financial life.

Greenland is already losing 30 million tons of ice per hour; scientists see a risk of an irreversible tipping point and warn that sea levels could still rise for centuries even if emissions stop today.

Did You Know? The Famous Cod Is Not a Fish

Cod, A Constant Presence in Brazilian and Portuguese Cuisine, Refers Not to a Single Species of Fish, But to Several That, After Being Salted and Dried, Receive This Designation.

So, What Is Cod?

Why Is Cod So Consumed in Brazil?

The Soviet Union spent 22 years drilling into the Earth’s crust and reached a depth of 12,262 meters — they found water where it was thought impossible, hydrogen bubbling from the rock, granite that is 2.7 billion years old, and temperatures of 180 degrees that melted the drill bits.

Norway is drilling 27 kilometers of rock 392 meters below the bottom of a fjord to build the world’s largest and deepest underwater road tunnel — when completed, a 21-hour journey will be reduced to 10.

Chinese engineers begin filling a 217-meter dam at an altitude of 3,000 meters and prepare a 2,240 MW hydroelectric power plant to integrate hydropower, solar, and wind energy in the upper Jinsha.

A German architect built a cylindrical house in 1994 that rotates to follow the sun throughout the day, generates 5 times more energy than it consumes, and was the world’s first energy-positive house.

An astronaut spent 340 days in space while his twin brother stayed on Earth, and NASA found a “rejuvenating” effect, genes, microbiome, cognition, and immune system that revealed the biological cost of living outside the planet.

The island that has 35 inhabitants and celebrates Christmas on January 6: the remote island of Foula lives in isolation, without internet and following Julius Caesar’s calendar for centuries.

With 33 million people without treated water, Brazil is experiencing a brutal paradox: entire regions sit atop giant aquifers, but families still depend on dry taps and improvised water.

Rare earths, critical minerals, and strategic minerals are not the same thing, but all are at the center of the century’s biggest geopolitical dispute, and Brazil holds gigantic reserves in Minas Gerais, Goiás, Amazonas, and Bahia that could change the global game of the energy transition.

Indian cyclones may be less powerful than hurricanes and typhoons, but winds, tides, and extreme vulnerability turn countries like Myanmar and Madagascar into scenes of devastation, as Nargis showed by leaving 84.5 thousand dead and 54 thousand missing.

The 23-ton “flying tank” with 2 turbofan engines and a 7-barrel rotary cannon: the A-10 Thunderbolt II destroyed over 900 armored vehicles in the Gulf War and remains active in 2026.

Antiviral nanospikes create an antiviral surface that destroys 96% of viruses in 6 hours without chemicals and targets hospitals, transportation, and daily-use screens.

Goodbye expensive energy? RPA Technology’s solar tilt pole works off-grid, quickly reduces costs, and is becoming a popular choice for cities and farms that want efficient and sustainable lighting.

The planet registered 420 water conflicts in 2024, the highest number ever documented, and the dispute over rivers like the Nile, Colorado, Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, and Mekong exposes a race for dams that downstream countries already see as a threat of hydrological war.

Paraguay surprises with Sipap, its own Pix, which has been growing since 2020, reaches millions of monthly transactions, operates non-stop, and sparks curiosity about the real impact of this change on daily financial life.

Greenland is already losing 30 million tons of ice per hour; scientists see a risk of an irreversible tipping point and warn that sea levels could still rise for centuries even if emissions stop today.