Percebes Courses

Percebes, also known as “goose-neck barnacles” or “trepatanes” in Spanish, are a traditional delicacy found on the western shores of Spain and Portugal. The barnacle has an unusual body shape and an even more unusual flavor. They grow in clusters on jagged rocks that emerge from the sea at low tide. In order to harvest percebes, fishermen must take boats out in extremely treacherous conditions, don wetsuits and plunge into the crashing waves to bravely search for the barnacles that are tightly clinging to the rocks. The taste of the percebe is unique and its flavor can be described as a mix of clam, abalone, and mussel. They typically measure about one to two inches long and tend to have a soft, slimy texture. Their flavor profile is also salty and sweet with a hint of umami. The harvesting of percebes is a very dangerous job and the resulting product is some of the most expensive seafood in the world. Despite the high price, percebes remain popular in Spain and Portugal and their popularity is slowly expanding to other parts of the world.