May 2025 - Sardeenz!

Chicken of the Sea Smoked Oysters in Oil

One day, I will find the quintessential canned smoked oyster. Today is not that day. Don't get me wrong, these Chicken of the Sea Smoked Oysters in Oil weren't terrible, just not particularly remarkable.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

The size was small to about about average, 17 or so in the can. But the can is packed quite full. I couldn't see them fitting any more in there. The oil is neutral, and listed as "cottonseed and/or sunflower", which is common for tinned smoked oysters. There's not much of an aroma to them.

For smoked oysters, they weren't particularly smoky tasting. The texture was typical of most supermarket brands, a little mealy rather than meaty. Eaten on crackers, and served with other snacky foods, they would be OK.

The search continues.

Brand: Chicken of the Sea
Description: Smoked Oysters in Oil
Species: N/S
Country of Origin: N/S
Source: N/S
Skin/Bones: N/A
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Cole’s Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

Tried this Cole's Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil to compare to the King Oscar Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chile Sauce. In contrast to the Cole's Mussels, they are packed in what appears to be completely olive oil. I know this because, for the second time in as many days, the recoil of the lid finally giving way resulted in a big sploosh all over my shirt.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

Compared to the King Oscar, the texture is quite different, more tender. There are several slices of skinless boneless meat, which appear to be cut across the grain. That made them readily fall apart when trying to get them out of the can.

I ate this without condiments or crackers, in order to get a sense of the taste and texture. I'll try this one again with some Espinaler sauce or harissa. While very good, mackerel by itself can be a bit bland. Nutrition facts say 170 calories per can, which I find suspicious, being it's in olive oil. The King Oscar in olive oil (which I haven't tried yet) is listed as 240 calories at roughly the same serving size.

Brand: Cole's Seafood
Description: Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: North Atlantic chub mackerel
Country of Origin: Cape Verde, West Africa
Source: FAO34, East Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3

Nuri Sardines with Lemon Special Edition

DeenLeave a comment

Another selection in the quest for lemon-y sardine goodness. These Nuri Sardines in Olive Oil with Lemon Special Edition are a cut above. Whenever you see a review of sardines where they talk about "clean" tasting, these are an example of what they're talking about. When you open the can, there's not that canned tuna aroma so prevalent with cheap supermarket sardines.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

When you start to pay above $5 or $6 a can, you also start to expect a more premium product. These have a subtle lemon flavor courtesy of a fragment of a lemon slice. But that's all that's necessary because the lemon doesn't have to fight to overcome an overt fishy taste more often found in cheaper selections. An added plus is the fact that the can is tightly packed with a solid five pilchards with little to no wiggle room. Highly recommended.

Interesting packaging. The otherwise unmarked can is covered by a paper overwrap printed with all the particulars, which is then sealed in a cellophane wrapper.

See it on Amazon. Available in a 4-pack, but the price per can is better than elsewhere.

Brand: Pinhais/Nuri
Description: Sardines in Olive Oil with Lemon
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $7

Cole’s Smoked Mussels in EVOO

DeenLeave a comment

Taking a break from the quest for the ultimate sardines with lemon. Here's some Cole's Smoked Mussels in EVOO. The can I opened says, I swear, "in extra virgin olive oil". But no photo I can find online, even at their website says that, only "in olive oil". No matter, I'll buy another can tomorrow and photograph it myself.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 3.5/5.

A kind of monochromatic look to the meat. No variegated coloration like some brands. Perhaps it's a difference in species. The aroma is about what you'd expect, that of shellfish and the sea. The texture is meaty, not mealy like smoked oyster can be.

But look at the actual photo I took of the just-opened can (click to enlarge). I left the glare of the flash so you can see the droplets of oil on the surface of the packing liquid. Oil doesn't form droplets on the surface of itself. I really wonder what is the legal definition of "in oil" for tinned fish products.

Anyway, (lack of) olive oil aside, these were still tasty. Roughly, I estimate there were 18-20 in the can, most whole with only a few ragged bits. True hardwood smoked, not just added smoke flavoring. Paired with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, the mineral notes of each complimented the other nicely. The wine's bright acidity a contrast to the savory.

Brand: Cole's Seafood
Description: Smoked Mussels in EVOO
Species:
Country of Origin: Chile
Source: Farm raised
Skin/Bones: N/A
Net Wt: 4.0 oz.
Price Range: $3-4

King Oscar Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

DeenLeave a comment

Mackerel is always a welcome change of pace. And this King Oscar Royal Fillets Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chili Sauce fits the bill nicely. I don't remember where I got this, but seems like it was around $2.50.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The can is reasonably full. As with the KO Mackerel in Olive Oil, the meat is in chunks, not sliced like other brands. The pieces of meat are kind of fused together. No real aroma to speak of. The deep red sauce is mildly sweet with just a fleeting touch of heat.

Firmer than canned tuna, the texture more like barbecue pulled pork. I'd wager that if I offered you a bite on a cracker and told you it was barbecue pork, or even char siu pork, you wouldn't disagree. A definite re-buy.

See it on Amazon. Sold in lots of 12 only, but that puts them under $2.75 a can. Still a bargain.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Mackerel in Thai Chili Sauce
Species: North Atlantic mackerel
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.05 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Northern Catch Sardines in Mustard

DeenLeave a comment

My first exposure to sardines as a kid was to the ones packed in mustard. It was a tangy yellow mustard that I'm sure for some people was the only thing making them palatable. The mustard on these Northern Catch Sardines in Mustard is a little different. It's like it can't make up its mind to be good old French's yellow or Gulden's brown. It was more like a mixture of the two, but in a sort of bland way.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 2.5/5.

Again, like the Northern Catch Sardines in Hot Sauce, there are just two big old pilchards. Plus maybe a chunk of another. Initially, it was hard to tell under all the goop. There's a bit of a tangy smell covering any aroma of fish there might have been.

I got these at the same time I bought the ones in hot sauce. While not as pretty as that particular can, this one was packed quite full. The meat was comparatively drier as well, but not terribly so. Also, 880mg. sodium. I probably won't get them again. There are plenty of other choices out there (I was about to say "plenty of other fish in the sea", but caught myself).

Brand: Aldi/Northern Catch
Description: Sardines in Mustard
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.25 oz.
Price Range: $1

BELA Sardines in EVOO with Lemon Flavor

DeenLeave a comment

BELA Sardines in EVOO with Lemon and Smoke Flavor. Another sardine with lemon. And although there is no slice of lemon in the can-- it does say "lemon flavor"-- it is actually more flavorful, lemon-wise, than others tasted to date.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

Five medium-sized pilchards, a size I find more desirable. These are packed in a nice oil. You do get the sense and flavor of a decent quality olive oil that's been infused with a subtle lemon-y something. As with others, though, the (added) smoke flavor isn't readily apparent. I try to taste new selections with the most neutral, bland crackers I can. Primarily, I'm trying not to potentially overpower something else about the fish I'm trying to discern.

Interesting observation: I wrapped up the can for the trash in a plastic grocery bag. When I went back to retrieve it to get some info off the package, I did get a definite whiff of a smoky aroma. It must be that a very small amount of the oil sticks to the fish. So, when you go to eat a piece, it has only a minute amount of the smoke flavoring.

I think these would be good to chop up and toss oil-and-all with pasta.

See it on Amazon. Direct sales from their website appear to include free economy shipping.

Brand: BELA Brand Seafood
Description: Sardines in EVOO with Lemon Flavor
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $5-6