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Some producers are discovered in a catalogue. Don Bocarte is a producer we know from regular visits to Santoña, conversations around the table and products tasted where they are made.
That closeness matters. It gives us confidence in what we select and gives our customers a genuine story that begins by the Cantabrian Sea.
We know the people behind Don Bocarte and visit them regularly in Santoña. It gives us the opportunity to follow their work, taste the products and understand why this Cantabrian fishing town continues to set the standard for anchovies.
The connection between the town and the sea is impossible to miss. Fishing, salting and filleting are not stories invented for the packaging; they are part of the knowledge and traditions surrounding the port.
Don Bocarte selects Cantabrian bocarte during the spring season, when the fish reaches its finest balance of flavour and fat. The anchovies mature for at least eight months before being cleaned, trimmed and filleted by experienced hands.
The result is unmistakable: clean fillets, generous texture and controlled saltiness that allows the fish to remain the star. From a classic Gilda to Caesar salad, they bring depth without taking over the plate.
Anchovies may be the natural starting point, but they are only part of the story. Bonito del Norte, ventresca, special tuna cuts and carefully prepared octopus give the assortment far more to explore.
These are products capable of starting a conversation at the counter, strengthening a seafood selection and giving a menu something customers will remember. Some are familiar Spanish classics; others reveal cuts, sizes and possibilities rarely found in an ordinary range.
That is what keeps our visits to Santoña interesting: there is always craftsmanship to respect and usually something new worth bringing home.