Since 2013, the association owns the only certified workshop for
the production of the “Botargo of Mesolonghi” under the Protected Designation of Origin, according to the m.d. 269858/1994 (3/Β-7/1/1994).
The uniqueness of the “Botargo of Mesolonghi” lies precisely on the knowledge and the techniques of the fishermen of the lagoon, which have been preserved for hundreds of years and remain unaltered up to our days. Its high quality is guaranteed by the experience of the fishermen, who know and stipulate the timing of every phase of the production process, depending on every egg’s weight and the weather conditions.
the production of the “Botargo of Mesolonghi” under the Protected Designation of Origin, according to the m.d. 269858/1994 (3/Β-7/1/1994).
The uniqueness of the “Botargo of Mesolonghi” lies precisely on the knowledge and the techniques of the fishermen of the lagoon, which have been preserved for hundreds of years and remain unaltered up to our days. Its high quality is guaranteed by the experience of the fishermen, who know and stipulate the timing of every phase of the production process, depending on every egg’s weight and the weather conditions.
The “Botargo of Mesolonghi” is produced from the eggs of the female gray-mullet. The production period begins at the first days of August and ends at the last days of September. The total production does not exceed the amount of 1000kg annually.
The fishermen remove the eggs from the fish as soon as they catch it.
They remove the blood carefully so that the eggs do not get separated.
The eggs stay in salt for a few hours without the use of cooling or freezing
They are left to dry in the air for a few days in a place protected from the sun
The procedure is concluded by immersing the eggs in wax in order to be protected.
All the procedure lasts to 10 days, depending in the weather conditions.
During the whole procedure, botargo loses 30-40% of its weight, due to water loss. It can be kept in the fridge for almost a year, by adding more layers of wax.
The workshop certifies the production of botargo by the fishing association “Anagennisi” of Kleisova’s lagoon, the fishing association “Agia Irini” of Sxoinia’s lagoon, the fishing association “Divari” of Vasiladi’s lagoon and the fishing association “Rempakia” of Prokopanistos lagoon.
Every certified botargo has embedded a card in the wax covering its surface with the produce’s details and the ID of the fish it came from.
Every certified botargo has embedded a card in the wax covering its surface with the produce’s details and the ID of the fish it came from.