In the province of Cádiz we can find one of the greatest gastronomic treasures, the red tuna. But in turn, this is related to an ancient local tradition, the almadraba. Do you want to know more about this technique that is gaining more and more popularity? Would you like to do red tuna tastings guided by locals? Then this is your place!
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What’s almadraba?
The almadraba is much more than a fishing technique. Is an ancient ritual that takes part in the coast of Cádiz between April and June every year. It has 3000 years, from the Phoenician age. A complex network of nets, located miles away from the coast, forms this technique. Its function is to catch tuna that pass through the Strait of Gibraltar to spawn towards the Mediterranean.
The almadraba can be celebrated in different places but Barbate is the one that stands out in it. They have made this art a way of life and an essential part of their culture.
One of the greatest spectacles that can be seen in Barbate is ‘la levantá’, the moment in which the nets are lifted little by little. Emerging to the surface the greatest delicacy of the gastronomy of Barbate that with its fluttering turns the waters into foam.
Next, the most experienced fishermen jump into the water with harpoons, where they select the largest specimens. The great advantage of almadraba is the sustainable fishery in which the smallest tunas are released to reach maturity and adult development.
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How to enjoy this experience?
You can enjoy the almadraba by going on guides on boats that accompany the fishing boats. With this you will be able to observe this magnificent process. In them you will be accompanied by a local expert who will explain all the processes in order to understand this experience.
Another visit that you shouldn’t forget is the one to the Museum of Tuna. Located in Barbate, it offers an experience through the five senses. In this way, you will learn about the almadraba and the red tuna in a dynamic way. You will be able to know the experiences of fishermen and appreciate the nets they use. Or even know how salting works and seee how a tuna is sliced by a professional chef. This visit ends with a tuna tasting by the museum.
To complete the experience of the Almadraba world, we recommend a visit to the tuna interpretation center. Over there you can learn about the importance of almadraba. Not only in the environmental aspect but also as cultural heritage of the area. As well as learning the key of this technique and why is so succesful.
To finish this private experience about the almadraba experience, there is nothing better than a tasting of red tuna. So you can understand why it is such a valuable product. There are plenty restaurants where you can taste the Red Tuna in different ways.
In the tasting menus you can find a wide range of dishes. Everything from sushi to innovative dishes such as tartare or nigiri. Without forgetting one of the most popular and traditional ones, “atún encebollado“.
If you want to know more about the red tuna, don’t hesitate and contact us here or at info@alsherry.com. We will be delighted to prepare a tailored experience for you to enjoy the authentic process of the Almadraba!