The octopus from the company Merpacífico, awarded in Brussels

The tastiest octopus is found in Palencia. This has been decided by the “International Taste Institute in Brussels”, which awarded Merpacífico’s octopus flavor with a score of 91.3 out of 100, the highest score in the competition, earning it 3 stars. It is octopus sourced from the best fishing grounds in the world, where workers from the company itself select the raw material to then process it in Palencia, following strict quality controls, and finally distribute it with the utmost guarantees. The jury consisted of over 200 chefs and sommeliers, globally renowned and recognized by institutions such as the Michelin Guide, Repsol Guide, and Gault & Millau, who conducted a blind tasting in complete silence, following an objective methodology based on the 5 criteria of international hedonic sensory analysis (visual, olfactory, gustatory, final sensation, and texture). The team at the International Taste Institute in Brussels contacted the Palencia-based company to congratulate them and confirm the award of “The Superior Taste Award” certificate, a globally leading mark of flavor that represents “an indisputable seal of quality and prestige,” as confirmed by Manuela and Conrado Merino, Director and CEO of Merpacífico, respectively. Merpacífico has become a reference in the octopus sector not only in Spain but also internationally, thanks to its strong commitment to quality, which is recognized through the awards it is receiving from gastronomic experts and the increase in sales. It is worth noting that Merpacífico is a new octopus processing company, located in the Industrial Estate of Palencia (Tejedores Street, 6), which is experiencing rapid growth driven by over 30 years of experience and the professional successes of its founder, Conrado Merino, who in 1991 also founded the company Viveros Merimar S.L dedicated to wholesale trade of fish and seafood. Merpacífico closed 2023 with a turnover close to 20 million euros in just 6 months and is a modern, 100% automated company, equipped with the most innovative technologies, facilities covering over 10,000 square meters with large cold storage capacity. It has a workforce of nearly 60 employees, and the management’s intention is to reach 200 employees and achieve a turnover between 80 and 100 million euros within five years.