The Fish That Changed The World
Salt cod, a staple of maritime trade for centuries, has had a profound impact on global history over the past millennium. By the 9th century, Vikings were salting and drying cod to preserve it for long voyages, enabling exploration across the North Atlantic. As European fishing fleets expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries, salt cod became a key commodity, especially for countries like Portugal, Spain, and England, whose sailors relied on this durable protein source during long expeditions.
The discovery of vast cod-rich waters off Newfoundland in the early 1500s fueled international competition, driving both European colonization of the Americas and the growth of transatlantic trade routes. Salt cod also played a role in the triangular trade, where it was exchanged for slaves in Africa, who were then sent to the Caribbean, and sugar shipped back to Europe.
Its influence spread into culinary traditions as well, from bacalhau in Portugal to brandade in France. Salt cod's global reach allowed it to serve as a unifying foodstuff across diverse cultures. By providing sustenance for explorers, sailors, and entire communities, salt cod became a cornerstone of economic and social developments in the Atlantic world, shaping history for over a thousand years.
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