December 2025 - Page 2 of 3

Matiz Lightly Smoked Sardines in Spanish Olive Oil

These Matiz Lightly Smoked Sardines in Spanish Olive Oil came from World Market about three months ago. To be honest, I kind of lost track of them in my tinned fish stash. It's starting to get out of hand. Some recently reviewed plain sardines made me want to continue on that path for a while, even though I'll probably find some spiced ones and try them next. Let's see how these were.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

Nice looking fish, photogenically packed silver belly side up. The aroma from the just-opened can is neutral, not really imparting any smokiness. A sip of the oil is also neutral, but I think I detect a subtle note of spice that shouldn't be there. There look to be five husky pilchards.

A taste of the fish is promising, though. The meat has a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. No scales to speak of, nor fins. A couple of partial tails, though.

Let's Eat

Extracting them from the can to put out over rice, they are firm enough not to fall apart. There is also the five fish, a welcome portion. About a half inch of oil is left in the can and I pour half of it over everything.

Working my way through the first couple, I find the meat consistently tender and moist. The fish flavor is mild, but I thought it could have used a touch more salt.

Still not getting any smoke, though. The ingredients list only "smoked aroma", which tells me there is room for inconsistency can-to-can. I find it to be the case, more often than not, that the promise of "lightly smoked" is rarely fulfilled, especially when natural smoke is not involved.

A Moment of Weakness

OK, I admit I'm a flavor junkie. These were some really nice plain sardines, lack of smoke and dearth of salt aside. But after confirming my assessment of them unadorned, I just couldn't resist adding a little kick.

I topped the remaining few fish with a dash of Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion. It's very onion/garlic forward, not too salty. It has a steady heat that borders on excessive, but stops just short of discomfort. Really good, and a bargain at under $5 a jar.

Main Takeaways

Tender, moist fish with mild, fresh flavor
Lacked smoke and salt
Generous portion of five pilchards

Brand: Connorsa / Matiz
Description: Lightly Smoked Sardines in Spanish olive oil
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $5-6

Ramón Peña Sardines in Olive Oil 16/20

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These Ramón Peña Sardines in Olive Oil 16/20 came with an order from International Loft about two months ago. Their inventory of the brand is not as large as others, but they did have this configuration when others did not. I was looking forward to these smaller pilchards. Let's see how they were.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

The skin is a little roughed up, but it's a fault easy to overlook, as they are quite small and delicate. The can is a deep one, and contains two layers of eight fish. The aroma is fresh. A sip of the olive oil (not listed as EVOO) is neutral with a hint of saltiness.

A taste of the first fish alone is exquisite. It is extremely melt-in-your-mouth tender, yet just firm enough that the fish don't fall apart when plucked from the can. No scales at all. Some have partial tails remaining but they were in no way noticeable on the palate. I ate the first four this way, and had a hard time stopping.

Time For Lunch

I put eight more out over some sticky rice, but had to leave the last four in the can because there wasn't enough room for them all.

Bite after bite, I marveled at the tenderness and mild flavor. Very moist fish. Probably the best plain, small pilchards I've had to date.

After moving the last four fish to the bowl, I applied a few dashes of Salsa Espinaler, just to see what it would do. I found it a bit of an improvement, but mainly because the salt level of the plain sardines seemed rather low. Regardless, I enjoyed them either way.

The label calls the entire can two servings. But I'm not one known for tinned fish leftovers. At 200 calories for the whole can, I could afford to be a little gluttonous.

Main Takeaways

Super tender, mild flavored fish
Could have used a pinch more salt
A definite re-buy, if available

Brand: Ramón Peña
Description: Sardines in olive oil 16/20
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4 oz.
Price Range: $9

Wild Planet Sardines in EVOO with Lemon, Part 2

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A recent review elsewhere of Natural Catch Sardines in Organic EVOO got me thinking about these Wild Planet Sardines in EVOO with Lemon again. The Natural Catch are sourced from Viet Nam, and are not true pilchards, but rather another species endemic to that part of the world. These Wild Planet are, as well, and are processed in Thailand. Let's see what I think this time.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The first time around, 7 months ago, I wasn't too impressed, overall. I really didn't get any sense of smoke, and very little lemon. This time, a sip of the oil revealed a subtle hint of smoke, so being labeled lightly smoked is apropos. Again, I'm moved to comment there should be a labeling requirement to say "with oil" when it's apparent the packing liquid is only partly oil. I note that water is included as an ingredient here, listed just after the EVOO.

The appearance and aroma are about the same as last time. They are scale-free as touted, but there are some pelvic fins still attached. The aroma is neutral, not smelling of fish or smoke. This time there are four fish as opposed to three, a plus in my book.

I put them out over rice, fished out the lemon and "artfully" arranged it over the fish.

As last time, the lemon has had most of its flavor cooked out by the canning process. But I am getting more of an impression of it from the fish this time.

The fish are meaty and reasonably tender. I don't find them dry at all. The salt level is a little on the low side, but adequate. I sprinkled a little furikake over the last fish, and its additional salt I deemed an improvement. It may have even enhanced the lemon flavor somewhat.

Part of my reason for wanting to revisit these was to reassess the Northwestern Pacific variety of sardine. To date, the only brand available to me has been the Wild Planet. Until I can obtain selections of another brand containing them in single quantities, these will have to be the basis for my judgement of the species.

Main Takeaways

Meaty, tender fish
A little saltier might have been better
More smoke flavor this time, but the lemon still needs improvement

If you prefer these Northwestern Pacific sardines, at the price, these are still a good value.

Brand: Wild Planet
Description: Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Lemon
Species: Sardinops sagax or melanostictus
Country of Origin: Thailand
Source: FAO61, Northwest Pacific
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3

JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in EVOO

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These JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in EVOO are one of several of their small sardine offerings, all pilchards. This one is the "limited edition cross pack". Cross pack is an indication the sardines are small enough to be no longer than the tin is wide. Pilchards so small are typically the most tender and flavorful. Let's see how these were.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

The aroma is clean and fresh, with no fishy notes. A sip of the extra virgin olive oil, has a rich quality about it. It has an amber tint, not attributable to smoke or other ingredient. There are eight fish total in a single layer, but I have seen cans with as many as ten.

A bite of fish alone is tender, with no scales apparent, nor dryness to the meat. The label lists salt as the only other ingredient, and I thought it might have benefited by just a tad more.

They all extracted from the can relatively easily and intact but for some of the skin. What oil remained in the can accounted for about one third of its volume. I poured about half of it over the sardines and rice.

I ate the first couple fish whole, due to their small size. But I quickly realized I'd be done in only a handful more bites. The rest I divided into smaller pieces to savor for longer.

All in all, a satisfying, sardine purist experience. Fresh, small pilchards unadulterated by any preparation or sauce. Just cooked and packed in a high quality EVOO with a touch of salt.

Main Takeaways

Tender, flavorful fish
Quality EVOO
Could have used a pinch of salt

Brand: 100 Misterios / JOSÉ Gourmet
Description: Small Sardines in EVOO, limited edition cross pack
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $10

Trader Joe’s Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO

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I happened to notice this can of Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO during a recent visit there. Four things caught my eye: yellowfin tuna, solid, EVOO and $2.49. Let's see if it was worth it.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice looking tuna with large solid chunks. The oil is transparent, lacking the color one might expect from extra virgin olive oil. A sip of it is largely neutral, with no real taste of either the oil or the fish packed in it. This SKU was previously designated simply "in olive oil".

A nibble of the tuna is encouraging. A very mild flavor with only a hint of tuna "tang". It seems moist enough, with a firm texture. The chunks are as thick as the can is deep, with very little debris. I thought it could use a touch more salt.

I was able to remove the tuna out over rice in reasonably large intact chunks. The residual oil in the can was only about a tablespoon, so I poured it over the fish. The net weight was 4.5 oz. with the dry weight only a half ounce less.

As I ate several bites, I began to notice a bit of dryness, but in no way a deal-breaker. Yellowfin tuna is my preference, and I thought this one was a good value, overall.

Kicking It Up

I had a new chili crisp I wanted to try, so this seemed like an opportune moment. I had gotten several new ones from the recent Amazon Black Friday sale. Maya Kaimal Chili Crisp is a bit of a different take, featuring Indian spices including mustard seed, curry leaves, turmeric and star anise.

The spice level is low to moderate and the Aleppo and red chili flakes provide a steady undertone of heat. Unlike most chili crisps whose oils are tinged red, this one's is yellow, courtesy of the turmeric, I assume. Lots of sesame seeds and large bits of crispy onion.

Main Takeaways

Solid chunks of tuna with mild flavor
Good net/dry weight ratio
A tad dry, needed salt

I'd have no problem recommending this one, and would buy it again as an all-purpose canned tuna.

Brand: Trader Joe's
Description: Solid Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Species: Thunnus albacares
Country of Origin: American Samoa
Source: FAO81, Southwest Pacific
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon

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I got these Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon at the same time as some of their spiced sardines, which really liked. I'm afraid this time things would be quite different.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

This really looks great. Nice pink skipjack tuna. Substantial chunks of meat. I don't see any actual lemon, but at least there's not an overabundance of thyme.

But here's where things went south. The aroma, and subsequently a taste of the canning liquid, a "light brine", were eerily reminiscent of a certain lemon-scented disinfectant spray. And the disappointment didn't end there.

A taste of the fish revealed the brine had successfully infused the meat with the offending flavoring. I guess that's what brines are supposed to do to meat, though. They're intended to preserve moisture, tenderize and flavor the meat soaked in them.

It Gets Worse

I put the fish out over rice, and cautiously poured a modest amount of the lemon-thyme brine over the meat.

Digging in, I found the pieces hard to separate with a fork. Bite after bite, I couldn't help but remark to myself how utterly dry this tuna was. It was as if the brine and the lemon and thyme had done everything exactly the opposite of what they were supposed to do. And altogether it made this quite possibly some of the worst tuna I've ever eaten.

I could have stopped any time, but I continued to hope the $8.49 wouldn't be a total waste. Rather than throw it out, I thought, "what's the worst some chili crisp can do, now?" So I applied a little of a spicier variety I happened to have on hand. Unbelievably, the lemon disinfectant overtone managed to cut through even still.

I really wanted to like this, primarily based on how impressed I was with the sardines I'd had before. But sorry, no. I also have to wonder if things would have been vastly different had this been packed in olive oil, rather than a brine. Unfortunately, Maria Organic doesn't appear to offer such a combination.

If it matters, this can was packed December 2023 (L345/23). The carton says PT N3531, but the can says PT C2171P.

Main Takeaways

Off-putting aroma and flavor
Very dry tuna
Utter disappointment

Brand: 100 Misterios / Maria Organic
Description: Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon
Species: Katsuamo (Katsuwonus) pelamis (Skipjack)
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $8-9

Espinaler Variegated Scallops in Galician Sauce

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Hard to believe, but a first foray into tinned scallops. I've been sitting on this can of Espinaler Variegated Scallops in Galician Sauce for quite some time, not really knowing why I was waiting for an excuse to open it. Let's see what we've got here.

Initial impression upon opening the can: Uncertain.

There seem to be some shellfish hiding in a cloudy murk. They're variegated scallops, but some packaging calls them zamburiñas. The aroma is subtle, not really of seafood, but rather of cooked tomato with an overtone of wine. And along with oil, salt and spices, that's exactly what they're bathed in.

I fished around and pulled a few up out of the liquid to see what I had here. Looks like there are nine of them in total.

They didn't look at all like what I'm used to seeing in the way of scallops. Apparently, those pristine white pucks of scallop adductor muscle are what's left after they've been vigorously cleaned to remove any unsightly parts. The filet, if you will.

These have most of their mantle intact, or at least still attached, and as a result are a bit more rustic in appearance. Savoring the first one, I found the texture somewhere between smoked oyster and mussel. They are flavored by the sauce just enough to complement the taste of the meat. The sodium listed is a little on the high side at 543mg, but I didn't find them too salty.

Hitting The Sauce

As I plucked each from the can, I found it difficult to get any of the sauce to stick. It seemed like a layer of the oil (sunflower) was floating over the top of a nebulous, shifting mass of red. The scallops still tasted of the sauce, but I was wishing I could get more of it on them.

After finishing the scallops, I continued to examine the liquid in the can. Attempting to get a sip of the sauce, I was only getting the oil floating atop it. Stirring it, the oil and cloud of red beneath wouldn't mix. It looked for all the world like a broken emulsion.

Eureka! I used my chopsticks to whisk the oil and sauce below it into a cohesive combo, right there in the can. Then, I could easily take a taste of it in its full flavor. In fact-- and I recommend this-- for the next can, I will remove and set the the scallops aside while I do exactly this. And then I'll return them to the can for a thorough coating before consuming.

Main Takeaways

Rustic in appearance, but tasty
The sauce works well and has good balance
Another of those hard to open cans

Unfortunately, these have increased in price since I bought them about six months ago. Now they're $8, up from $6.50. Although another place I don't order from wants $11, so I guess you can just blame inflation.

Brand: Espinaler
Description: Variegated scallops in Galician sauce
Species: Aequipecten opercularis
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO?
Skin/Bones: no/No
Net Wt: 4 oz.
Price Range: $8