Since the early 1700s, Norwegian clipfish has been sold to Southern Europe and other regions. The star of one of the most adored traditional dishes in the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking world, bacalao, this Norwegian specialty sprang to fame thanks to old trade ties, Catholic traditions, and a demand for high-quality fish. Since the beginning of time, Norwegians have thrived on seafood, and Norwegian clipfish production dates back many centuries. The Norwegian clipfish, which has been caught by neighborhood fishermen for decades, is a premium catch of the highest caliber from the cold Norwegian sea to the dinner plate. Some of the oldest techniques for preserving fish and meat are salting and drying. By removing the residual water, the salt dries the fish. Typically, this maturation phase takes a few months. The fish is now cured indoors in state-of-the-art facilities. The technique has been updated, but the end product remains the same as what has been manufactured and exported from Norway for more than 300 years.