This crustacean, which for many is the king of all seafood, grows on the rocky coast that is battered by the open sea. Its unmistakable sea flavour and high quality make the barnacle from Galicia a very prestigious product.

The barnacle from Galicia is distinct because of its pearly hook, its thickness and because it is sold fresh and still stuck to the hard rock, unlike the Moroccan barnacle that sticks to sandy rock. The best barnacles are those of a proportionate size, thick, neither long, nor short. They are the so-called 'sun' barnacles. The 'shade' barnacles, which grow on the rocks below the sea are shorter and not as highly prized. They are cooked simply in salted water or sea water, drained and served war or cold.