Anchovies at Consum: Price, Available Brands and Gourmet Alternatives [2026]

What anchovies does Consum offer?

Consum, the consumer cooperative with more than 800 supermarkets in the Spanish Mediterranean arc, has a well-stocked canned goods section that includes several anchovy options. Its cooperative quality policy is reflected in a careful selection, both in its private label and in manufacturer brands.

Consum private label

Consum's private label includes anchovies in olive oil in standard formats. These anchovies are usually of varied origin (Cantabrian, Mediterranean or import) and offer a correct quality-price ratio for daily consumption:

• Anchovies in olive oil: standard can of 45-50 g drained. Indicative price between 2 and 4 €.
• Family format: some references in larger formats for frequent use.

Manufacturer brands

Consum also distributes recognized brands in the canning sector:

• National brands: such as Consorcio, Lorea or similar, which offer Cantabrian anchovies in different sizes and formats.
• Regional brands: depending on the geographical area, prestigious local canneries can be found.

Variety of formats

• Round cans and octavillo (traditional format)
• Glass jars (allow you to see the product)
• Different grammages to adjust to needs

It is important to note that Consum, due to its cooperative model, tends to select suppliers that meet higher than average quality standards. Its canned goods section reflects this commitment, with a more careful offer than many conventional chains.

What are premium Cantabrian anchovies?

Cantabrian anchovies are considered the best in the world by most gastronomic experts. But within the denomination "Cantabrian anchovies" there is a huge variation in quality. Premium anchovies are distinguished by several factors:

Origin: the Cantabrian Sea as the birthplace of anchovies

The Cantabrian Sea, with its cold, plankton-rich waters, produces an anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) with firm, pink flesh and a perfect balance between fat and protein. The most valued fishing areas are:

• Santoña (Cantabria): the anchovy capital of the world, with more than a century of canning tradition.
• Laredo, Castro Urdiales: Cantabrian ports with anchovy tradition.
• Bermeo, Getaria (Basque Country): fishing ports with a long tradition.

Artisanal curing process

Premium anchovies are cured in salt for a minimum of 6 to 12 months (the best, up to 18-24 months). This long process allows for:

• Full development of enzymes that transform texture
• Maturation of natural umami flavor
• Characteristic dark pink color of a well-cured anchovy
• Firm but melt-in-your-mouth texture

Manual selection and kneading

In premium canneries, each anchovy is cleaned, deboned, and filleted by hand. "Kneading" (manual massage of each fillet) is an artisanal technique that anchovy masters apply to give the final texture. This manual process is slow and costly, but produces an incomparable result.

Size and caliber

Anchovies are classified by caliber (number of fillets per can). The lower the number, the larger each fillet:

• Caliber 00 (double zero): extra-large fillets, the most valued. Only obtained from the largest anchovies of the season.
• Caliber 0: large fillets, excellent quality.
• Caliber 1-2: medium fillets, good but less spectacular.

Comparative table by criteria

The curing process: key to quality

The fundamental difference between supermarket anchovies and premium anchovies lies in the curing process. It is not simply a matter of time, but of how that time transforms the product:

Industrial curing (3-6 months)

Anchovies produced on an industrial scale are cured for a shorter period to speed up production. The result is a correct product that meets the expectations of most consumers:

• Predominant salty taste, with fewer nuances
• Firmer texture, sometimes slightly fibrous
• Lighter color, tending to brown
• Long shelf life thanks to preservation in oil

Artisanal curing (6-24 months)

Premium anchovies are cured for as long as they need, not as long as productive efficiency dictates. This long and patient process produces a profound transformation:

• Complex flavor with umami notes, slightly sweet and unctuous
• Melt-in-your-mouth texture that dissolves on the palate
• Intense dark pink color, a sign of complete maturation
• Deep aroma without aggressive saltiness

The curing master periodically monitors the process, pressing the anchovies, renewing the salt, and deciding the optimal moment to open each barrel. It is an artisanal craft that requires experience and patience.

Manual kneading

Once the curing is finished, each anchovy is opened, deboned, and filleted by hand. "Kneading" is an exclusive technique of artisanal canneries: each fillet is gently massaged with the fingers to smooth the flesh and give it its definitive texture. The master kneaders can process hundreds of anchovies a day, but each one receives individual attention.

Price per fillet: the real metric

To compare anchovies fairly, the price per can is not enough. The most useful metric is the price per fillet, as the size of the fillets varies enormously:

At Consum

• Private label can (~50 g drained, ~10-12 fillets): 2-4 € → 0.20-0.35 €/fillet
• Standard manufacturer brand (~50 g, ~10 fillets): 4-8 € → 0.40-0.80 €/fillet
• Premium brand if available (~50 g, ~8 fillets): 8-12 € → 1.00-1.50 €/fillet

In specialized store

• Anchovies 00 Selection (~14 fillets, extra-large caliber): 35-40 € → 2.50-2.85 €/fillet
• Standard Anchovies 0 (~20 fillets, large caliber): 25-30 € → 1.25-1.50 €/fillet

Each premium fillet weighs 2-3 times more than a standard fillet, which reduces the price difference per gram. But beyond the weight, the difference in taste experience is substantial.

Related products from Bacalalo

Cantabrian Anchovies 00 Selection

38.90 €

View product →

When to buy anchovies at Consum

Consum is a good option for anchovies in several situations. Its cooperative model guarantees a careful selection that surpasses many conventional chains:

• Use in cooking: for pizzas, Caesar salads, puttanesca pasta or quick toasts, Consum's private label anchovies are perfect.
• Informal appetizer: for a weekday vermouth or a casual snack, you don't need 00 caliber anchovies.
• Controlled budget: if you consume anchovies frequently, Consum's options allow you to enjoy them without excessive expense.
• Discovery: if you have never tried canned anchovies, starting with a supermarket brand is a good way to introduce yourself before investing in premium.
• Recognized brands: Consum includes quality manufacturer brands in its assortment, which allows finding a middle ground without going to a specialized store.

When to choose premium anchovies

Premium anchovies justify their price in situations where the product is the star:

• Pure tasting: when anchovies are eaten alone, on a slice of bread with tomato and oil, premium quality makes a huge difference.
• Gourmet appetizer platter: on a table of selected products (cured cheese, Iberian ham, premium olives), 00 anchovies are up to the task.
• Gastronomic gift: Cantabrian anchovies of caliber 00 are one of the most appreciated gourmet gifts in Spain.
• Hospitality and catering: pintxos bars and high-level restaurants work exclusively with premium anchovies.
• Special occasions: an important dinner, a celebration or simply a personal whim that deserves the best product.
• Gastronomic collecting: each cannery has its flavor profile. Trying different premium brands is a gastronomic experience in itself.

Conclusion

Consum offers an honest and well-cured selection of anchovies for its segment, consistent with its cooperative model that prioritizes consumer-partner satisfaction. For daily use in cooking and informal appetizers, its anchovies are a reliable and accessible option.

Premium Cantabrian anchovies, such as those offered by Bacalalo, represent another universe: extra-large fillets cured artisanally for months, hand-kneaded by master canners, with a flavor and texture that can only be achieved with time, patience and craftsmanship. They are a product to enjoy with all five senses.

It is not a question of one option being better than another in the abstract, but of choosing the right one for each moment. Both have their place in a well-stocked pantry.

Informative comparison based on public data. Prices and availability may vary.