Question 1

True or false: Bacalhau is just any salted cod, but true bacalhau comes only from Norway.

Accepted Answer

False. Bacalhau is salted and dried cod, but it can come from several countries like Iceland and Portugal, not exclusively Norway.

Question 2

True or false: Bacalhau must be soaked in water for at least 24 hours before cooking to remove salt.

Accepted Answer

True. True—soaking for 24-48 hours with multiple water changes is essential to desalinate the fish, otherwise it’s inedibly salty.

Question 3

True or false: Bacalhau is actually a species of fish, not a preparation method.

Accepted Answer

False. Bacalhau refers to the curing process of salting and drying cod, not a specific fish species. Any cod can become bacalhau.

Question 4

True or false: Brazil consumes more bacalhau than Portugal, thanks to its larger population.

Accepted Answer

False. Portugal eats far more per capita, and in total tonnage, Brazil lags behind. Cod scarcity in Brazil makes it a luxury there.

Question 5

True or false: Portugal consumes more bacalhau per person than any other country in the world.

Accepted Answer

True. Portugal leads in per capita bacalhau consumption, with over 60,000 tons yearly—surprising since cod isn't local to Portuguese waters.

Question 6

True or false: There are believed to be over 1,000 different bacalhau recipes in Portugal alone.

Accepted Answer

True. Portuguese cuisine boasts more than 1,000 bacalhau dishes, from baked to fried—a staggering variety for a single ingredient.

Question 7

True or false: Bacalhau was once used as currency in trade between European and African merchants.

Accepted Answer

True. In the 16th-18th centuries, dried cod was traded like money in the Atlantic slave trade and barter systems.

Question 8

True or false: The word 'bacalhau' comes from an old Basque term meaning 'dried fish.'

Accepted Answer

False. The term likely originates from Dutch 'bakkeljauw' or Italian 'baccalà,' not Basque. Basque influence is a common myth.

Bacalhau Trivia Questions