The Rosita® method
1. Wild-caught, deep-sea fishing: We sustainably fish the wild codfish (Gadus morhua) from the pristine, sapphire blue waters of the Northern Norwegian Sea. To ensure total control over sustainability, quality and freshness of cod livers, we employ small, artisan fishing boats (rather than commercial fishing boats). The boats put out sea bird-friendly long lines baited with slices of frozen mackerel or herrings. We catch the cod carefully to protect the population. Line-caught fish are a much better alternative to fish that have been caught by destructive trawling methods. And sustainable, fresh cod tastes sweet and clean.
The liver oil from deep-sea cod was highly prized by the ancient Norse people, who considered it the most potent in terms of therapeutic properties.* It was also known to have a smoother consistency. Our ancestors were masters of deep-sea fishing; grueling yet rewarding work.
Commercial cod liver oil: Manufacturers of commercial cod liver oil do not specifically fish for deep-sea codfish. They will often purchase fish on the open market or from brokers, which can be problematic regarding the freshness, source, and even fish species. By using freshly caught fish and avoiding imported frozen products, we believe quality is optimally maintained and the properties of the raw materials will not deteriorate during long transport, freezing, etc.
2. Harvesting the livers on deck: Next, we haul the lively wild codfish into the boat and remove them from the hooks. Our fishermen then carefully sacrifice the fish, remove the livers, and wash them in pure cold water. The livers are then immediately placed under proprietary conditions to maintain freshness. We separate the meat and insides for other uses, and quickly ferry the livers to shore.
3. Inspecting the livers by hand: Upon returning to the docks, we carefully hand-inspect the fresh livers at our zero-emission production premises. We go to great lengths to ensure the livers are handled carefully and never exposed to high temperatures or chemicals. This is because rough handling of the liver can cause it to bruise, promoting degradation and lowering the quality of the oil produced. Per Viking tradition, we only use fresh, robust livers with a specific appearance and weight, as the quality of fish liver oil depends heavily on the liver. That means crushed and bruised livers don’t apply. Further, if the cod livers are small and discolored (or have a dark appearance), this indicates a scarcity of food for the cod and the possibility they may not be healthy. The best codfish livers are large and beautifully plump, soft to the touch, and almost cream-colored, indicating the codfish are thriving and well-fed. Such livers contain an abundance of quality oil that appears perfectly pellucid and pale-colored with a mild, fresh fish taste.
4. Releasing the oil from the fresh cod livers: Our method for cod liver oil extraction produces the most precious cod liver oil naturally. Here’s how it works: After the best livers are hand-selected, they’re briefly stored within a dark, oxygen-free environment and at low temperatures. The livers are ground up. Then, the proteins are naturally (unconventionally) removed without heat or chemicals. This allows the oil to naturally separate from the liver.
5. Gentle cleansing: We then use a 100% natural and environmentally friendly cleansing protocol to remove potential contaminants. This proprietary method retains the oil’s, nutrients, antioxidants and natural fatty acid composition. Everything is done with respect for nature, where all that’s required is a substance that occurs naturally in the ocean. This naturally occurring substance has the property of binding itself to a variety of organic contaminants, which can then be separated and drawn off by decanting.
In contrast, conventional procedures remove most healthy, fat-soluble vitamins; therefore, commercial producers may add synthetic vitamins to compensate for the loss.
6. A drop of natural antioxidants: We add tiny amounts of the plant rosemary and natural, GMO-free vitamin E extract from sunflower seeds to maintain freshness.
7. Bottling: We then bottle the oil in amber glass to extend its shelf life and freshness by protecting it against light. The bottle is then nitrogen-flushed, to preserve freshness by removing oxygen (this ensures safe shipping in all temperatures). The result is unadulterated, wild and raw Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil, with absolutely no synthetic vitamins.
8. Testing: We independently test each batch for purity and a variety of nutrients before bottling our oils. Third-party testing has consistently shown that our oils meet the strict European limits for heavy metals and organic contaminants, including dioxins and PCBs.
Read the results here