A flavorful fish usually containing at least 18 percent fat, but top quality should be between 20 and 24 percent.
Matjes
Fishermen catch the young herring throughout May and June depending on the weather conditions. If the weather is very good, some might even decide to catch the herring a couple of days later.
By doing so the fish can eat more before being caught. That gives them more time to get fatter, oilier and super rich and tasty.
Very important: the fishermen have to catch the herring before they start spawning, which starts in July. ‘Maatje’ comes from the word ‘maagd’ (virgin in Dutch), wrongfully pronounced after centuries of maatjes tradition.
Maatjes are young virgin herring!
By doing so the fish can eat more before being caught. That gives them more time to get fatter, oilier and super rich and tasty.
Very important: the fishermen have to catch the herring before they start spawning, which starts in July. ‘Maatje’ comes from the word ‘maagd’ (virgin in Dutch), wrongfully pronounced after centuries of maatjes tradition.
Maatjes are young virgin herring!
