The boats off of the Dutch fishing village of Schevenigen have come to harbor, the herring pushcarts have been rolled out on the streets, and the Queen has given her degustatory seal of approval. What does all of this mean? The Holland Herring season has officially begun! Russ & Daughters is the direct importer of New Catch Holland Herring, so don’t feel that you need to hop on a plane to try this once-a-year Dutch delicacy.

The New Catch Holland Herring is a piece of fish heaven. It’s a fabulous, buttery, and mild matjes herring. Traditionally, it is eaten by holding the two filletes attached at the tail and dropping the whole herring into your mouth. If you come to Russ & Daughters this time of year, chances are you’ll see a customer doing this right at our counter. But don’t worry, we also offer them chopped in more manageable pieces with fresh vidalia onion.

So what makes this herring so special? Every year, herring in the North Sea reach their optimal condition during a 4-5 week period in May or June. Water temperature and concentration of plankton, the herrings’ primary food source, determine the start of the season. Once the herring reach a minimum of 16% fat content, they are able to hit the market as the famed “Hollandse Nieuwe (Dutch New). Since 14th century, the lively Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) festival in the historic fishing village of Scheveningen has kicked off the start of the season. Tradition holds that a barrel of the first and finest catch is also presented to Queen Beatrix.

Don’t think you’re into herring? Well, here’s why you should be:

1. It's delicious.
2. Think salmon is good for you? Well it is, but herring is even better. Herring has and even higher level of Omega-3 fatty acids. Clinical research is increasingly focused on the health benefits of herring.
3. 115, Ms. Hendrike van Andel-Schipper, was the oldest person alive at the time of her death in 2005. She reported that the key to longevity was “to keep breathing and eat herring.”

Happy Herring Fest!

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