At first glance, percebes may not seem appetizing—their unusual appearance might not tempt you to try them right away. However, these crustaceans are highly prized and extremely difficult to find due to their unique habitat—clinging to rocks battered by the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Harvesting them can be a dangerous task.
Percebes look like something out of Jurassic Park. Their appearance isn’t exactly inviting, and if you don’t know what they are, their bizarre look likely won’t even catch your eye. But looks can be deceiving, and that’s certainly the case with percebes—a pricey delicacy that grows along the rugged Atlantic coasts of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, where some of the world’s highest waves crash into rocks.
Most people have never heard of percebes, and these barnacle-like crustaceans are far less known than other varieties of seafood. Their strange appearance can deter curiosity, but percebes are rarely seen outside the regions where they are harvested—mainly because they must be sold alive to preserve their flavor.
This delicacy is most commonly found in Galicia, but also along Spain’s northern coast, particularly in the Basque Country, as well as in Portugal and Morocco. Percebeiros (percebes harvesters) brave the Atlantic’s waves to collect these crustaceans. They live attached to rocks, safe from predators like fish and birds. Among the rocks, percebes filter plankton from the sea, which sustains them.
Why Are Percebes So Expensive?
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