The catalytic activity of Bronsted acids on fatty acid (FA) esterification at room temperature has been investigated. Noticeably, the H3PW12O40 heteropolyacid (HPW) showed a very high activity than other catalysts herein evaluated, i.e. p-toluene sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid. High yields in ethyl esters (ca. 90%) were reached after a 4 h reaction at 25 degrees C on a HPW catalysed reactions. Despite the fact that HPW catalyst was used in a homogeneous phase, it could be efficiently recovered and reused through out a simple recycling protocol, without any activity loss. The effects of alcohol and the FA nature on yield reaction were also investigated.