Santoña anchovies are an authentic gastronomic jewel that deserves to be enjoyed to the fullest. But to ensure they maintain their unrivaled freshness and flavor, it is essential to know the best preservation and storage practices.
To enjoy your anchovies in the best conditions, follow these tips:
1. Initial purchase and storage
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial to preserving the freshness and flavor of anchovies from the factory to your table. That's why, at Pujadó Solano, we ensure strict compliance with the cold chain for all purchases made in our online store, making all our shipments by refrigerated transport. This guarantees that the product arrives in the best condition at its destination.
Once you have the anchovies at home, whether in a tin or jar, you should remember that anchovies are a semi-preserved product, which means they are perishable products that need to be kept under special cold conditions specified on each package. It is advisable to ensure that anchovies are not exposed to direct sunlight or sudden changes in temperature.
High temperatures will make your anchovies too salty, as heat can cause the salt level to rise, and will reduce their shelf life, causing them to spoil sooner.
Therefore, although tinned anchovies can be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place, such as in a cupboard or pantry, it is preferable to store them in the refrigerator, just like jarred anchovies, as the best temperature for their preservation is between 5º C and 12º C.
It is also important to pay attention to the expiration date, which, in the case of anchovies, is determined by the salting process (which is what keeps them fresh). Generally, anchovies can have a shelf life of between six months and one year if stored correctly. Check the date indicated on the package and make sure to consume your anchovies before then.
Once opened, anchovies should be consumed within one week.
Remember that anchovies are best when consumed fresh. Try not to store large quantities for too long to always enjoy their best flavor.
2. How to store anchovies once opened
Once you have opened a tin or jar of anchovies, you should know that exposure to air can cause the anchovies to oxidize and lose their flavor. Therefore, it is best to consume them all as soon as the package is opened.
But if you have leftover anchovies and want to store them for a few days, to ensure they remain fresh and retain all their flavor, you should immediately place the leftover anchovies in the refrigerator.
If you decide to keep the anchovies in their original container, cover it with cling film. This will provide an additional layer of protection against air and moisture.
If you prefer to transfer the anchovies to another container, you should consider that the type of container you use to store the anchovies can also make a big difference in their freshness and flavor. Therefore, we advise you to use airtight glass or plastic containers to store the anchovies in the refrigerator. Make sure they are well sealed to prevent air from entering and the absorption of odors from other foods.
Finally, you should know that, to prevent them from drying out, anchovies must be covered either with oil (in the case of anchovies in olive oil or vegetable oil), or with salt in the case of salted anchovies. So, if you change the anchovies to a different container, make sure they are completely covered. If they are anchovies in oil, cover them completely with good quality oil, which will not only keep them fresh but also intensify their flavor. If, on the other hand, they are salted anchovies, you should cover them with salt and brine.
