I started this account as a dedication to my new tiny tinned friends. My journey was a long one. Growing up in the inland Midwest, tinned fish had been some smelly aliens phenomenon to me. As I passed them groceries, I’d scoff and wonder “Who eats these oily little cans?” It was not until I spent a little time in the Mediterranean that I discovered the variety and flavor within the can. From a life absent of oily little fishies, they’re now a daily fixture. I hope you will enjoy this journey with me into the world of tinned fish.Review:Our first review starts with one of the best. Matiz is a Spanish conservas brand known for its quality and reasonable prices … think Zara. Its sardinillas, mini sardines, are caught off the coast of Galicia in the brisk waters of the Eastern Atlantic. This tin is lightly flavored with piquillo peppers and satisfying EVOO. Their taste is a delightful buttery one and their texture is tender and firm. For someone new to sardines, these are certain to leave a good impression. Clean, tasty, and reasonably priced - what a great starting point.
Each sardine is carefully selected and cleaned by hand, following the time-honored traditions of Galicia. The fish are delicately roasted over an open flame to maintain their tender texture without sacrificing firmness. After roasting, the sardines are packed individually with a light touch of lemon essence and immersed in premium olive oil.
As do Mar, based in Olbia, Sardinia, is a family-run business known for its artisanal and sustainable approach to canned fish. Since 1980, they’ve adhered to the highest standards, using only “Friend of the Sea” certified tuna. It was a high quality tuna to try!
Daporta is a small cannery from Galicia. They only produce a few hundred units of sardines per year and I was lucky enough to find one at Cincinnati's Jungle Jims. And their tin of Sardinillas may have been the best tin I've had yet
Have fun. Don't be mean. Feel free to criticize sardines, not people. Report bad behavior.
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