The summer series 'Martes Culturales', organized by the Culture Department of the Isla Cristina City Council, has concluded its summer program with a conference focused on tuna mojama and its Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The event, held in Isla Cristina, emphasized the significance of this product in the local gastronomic identity.
The lecture was delivered by José Antonio López, president of the Noble Society of Tuna Lovers 'Thunnus Thynnus' and Wine Amateurs. López, a Doctor of Chemistry with extensive experience in tuna research and dissemination, also organizes the Almadraba Captains Meetings. During the presentation, the deputy mayor and councilor for Culture, Jerónimo Sosa, accompanied by technician Francis Zamudio, reviewed the speaker's career.
During his speech, López traced the history, production, and characteristics of mojama, emphasizing the value of the PGI as a quality mark that links the product to the territory and the traditional curing methods of Isla Cristina. He explained the differences between European quality schemes (PDO, PGI, TSG) and how the 'Mojama de Isla Cristina' PGI protects a process tied to local expertise.
The conference also delved into the origins of tuna preservation through salting, citing documents from the late 19th century that already referred to mojama commercialization in the town. The preparation process was detailed, from cutting tuna loins and salting them to drying, evolving from open-air methods to controlled chambers.
Different tuna species used, such as yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, and bigeye tuna, were discussed, along with how their characteristics influence the final mojama. López differentiated the categories of mojama (extra, first, second) and other uses, also highlighting the importance of the coastal geographical and climatic environment in traditional mojama production.
Finally, current strict quality and food safety controls for products with European quality labels were addressed, ensuring parameters like salt, humidity, and drying time. The conference also served as a tribute to the twenty years of the 'Martes Culturales' series, an initiative created by López in 2007 when he was councilor for Culture.
