How do you like your herring? Salty? Or sour?

Next month is the start of the 'Maatjesharing' season, commonly known as “Hollandse Nieuwe”. Why buddies herring (仲間 ハーリング)? It's a corruption of the word 'maagdenharing': virgins herring (子供ハーリング), which may sound a bit odd as well. Hollandse Nieuwe is the name of the first herring of the season: young and fat.

We celebrate the coming of the Hollandse Nieuwe on 'Vlaggetjesdag' (Flag Day|フラグの日). In the past 'Vlaggetjesdag' actually was about flags as all fisher boats were decorated with flags. This event used to take place on the Saturday before Whit Monday. Since the boats hadn't been used since winter the fishermen had to test the engines and correct the compasses. After Whit Monday they would head out to sea to catch the young herring.

A Hollandse Nieuwe needs to have a minimum of 16 percent fat. This young and fat herring exists sometime in June and July. During that period shops and stalls are decorated with flags. It almost seems that by using these flags something of the past is being relived. Ever since I've read about the short life of the Japanese sakura (cherry blossoms) I've been interested in fleeting moments. Though I wouldn't dare to begin comparing herring with blossoms!

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This year the season of the Hollandse Nieuwe starts on the 18th of June. If you're fond of herring or fish in general you should really try this traditional Dutch treat. You can practice eating it the Dutch way too! Vlaggetjesdag festivities are most famous in Scheveningen, near The Hague.

Can you eat like this?