Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 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: 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 6

True or false: Bacalhau refers to dried and salted cod, a traditional ingredient in Portuguese cuisine.

Accepted Answer

True. Bacalhau is the Portuguese term for dried and salted cod, a staple food in Portugal with countless recipes.

Question 7

True or false: Bacalhau is the Portuguese term for dried and salted cod, a staple ingredient in Portuguese cuisine.

Accepted Answer

True. Bacalhau (dried salted cod) has been central to Portuguese cuisine for centuries, featuring in numerous traditional recipes.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

False. The word 'bacalhau' comes from Spanish 'bacalao,' from Basque 'bakailao,' meaning 'cod,' not 'dried fish.' The Basque term possibly derives from Dutch 'bakkeljauw.'

Bacalhau Trivia Questions