Bacallaneries Rafols
Rafols is a family-run business located in Barcelona, Spain, that has specialized in the preparation of traditional desalted cod. Starting in 1945, Ramon Rafols Santacana entered the salted fish business with a retail shop in Barcelona. His son, Jordi Ràfols, took over in the 1970s and began to supply restaurants seeking cod that was top quality, desalted, and ready to cook.
Nearly 30 years after that hopeful commitment, Rafols still shares the same optimistic attitude and respect for one product: Traditional Desalted Cod. The entire Ráfols’ team is committed to continuously improving the quality, day after day, in harmony with customers’ demands. Over 75 years later, Rafols has become a leading brand recognized by the best chefs and restaurants across Europe with the consistent commitment of three generations.
GADUS MORHUA
Rafols uses only the highest quality pieces, exclusively fished by hook and line in a sustainable way. Only the Icelandic codfish, Gadus Morhua, is used. Icelandic water is regarded for being among the cleanest in the world, ensuring that the fish are healthy and fresh. Fish pieces are then placed in salt with the bone in for at least 6 months. Salting the whole piece assures that the gelatin concentrated in the central bone is recovered once hydrated. This gives the meat a tender texture, rich, and distinctive flavor. Properly following the traditional way, the codfish is then slowly hydrated, portioned, and deboned by hand. Finally, portions are desalted with filtered and temperature-controlled water, then vacuum-packed and frozen. Rafols avoids using any preservatives or additives to deliver a 100% natural product by freezing all products.
This slow artisanal process is the key to obtaining codfish that is free of additives, rich in flavor, and has a soft and mellow meat. Rafols’ codfish is regarded as a unique and superior product by many chefs. Rafols is constantly researching new possible products to fulfill the constant evolution of the culinary world. We are proud to bring authentic Spanish gourmet to your kitchen.