Welcome to Sardeenz!
Sardeenz! is an independent enthusiast publication devoted to sardines and all manner of tinned fish from around the world.
We started Sardeenz! because the world of tinned fish is considerably more interesting—and considerably more complicated—than it might first appear.
What began as an interest in sardines quickly turned into a fascination with the enormous variety of products available. Some are plain. Many are spiced with peppers or flavored with herbs. Some are bathed in tomato sauce. Others emphasize lemon or wood smoke. Some are genuinely moist and tender; others are just mushy.
And that's where we come in.
More Than 230 Tins—and Counting
We've personally tasted and evaluated more than 230 cans of sardines and other tinned fish, with new products added regularly.
For each product, we look beyond the label and marketing jargon. We examine the contents, identify the species, packing oil and seasoning flavor components, consider the portion and character of the fish, and—most importantly—taste the product ourselves.
Our reviews consider things such as:
- Aroma
- Oil quality
- Size of fish or shellfish
- Flavor
- Skin, scales, bones
- Tenderness
- Seasoning flavor and balance
- Saltiness
- Portion size
- Value
We don't expect every tin of fish to be a culinary revelation. We're interested in what makes each one distinctive and whether or not it's worth your time to give it a try.
Beyond the Tin
Sardeenz! is also a resource for understanding where the fish came from, how it was caught, and how it was processed.
Our reference articles explore things like FAO Major Fishing Areas, MSC and ASC Certifications and California Proposition 65 Warnings.
We also look at the history and cultural background of sardines and other conservas, differences among regional styles, labeling and terminology, nutrition, culinary applications and the sometimes confusing distinctions between true sardines, sprats and herring.
In other words, we're interested in both what's in the tin and why it's there.
Our Approach
Sardeenz! is an enthusiast publication, not a laboratory or a professional sensory-analysis organization. Our ratings and tasting notes represent our own observations and preferences.
We try to be consistent in the way we evaluate products, but we also recognize that taste is subjective. A tin of fish that one person finds too salty may be exactly what another person wants. A very tender sardine isn't necessarily a better sardine.
Our goal isn't to tell you what you should like.
It's to give you enough useful information to decide what you might like.
Independent Editorial Perspective
We don't simply repeat manufacturer descriptions or retailer reviews. When we disagree with a product's marketing description, we'll say so.
- If something sold as "delicious" doesn't seem particularly tasty, we'll tell you.
- If two versions of what appears to be the same product contain different fish species or oils, we'll investigate.
- If a can surprises us—in either direction—we'll explain why.
That's the fun of tasting them.
About the People Behind the Reviews
Sardeenz! is created and edited by Doug D, a longtime food enthusiast with a particular interest in tinned fish in all its forms.
The site also uses the editorial voice and image of fictional sardine lover Deen to add perspectives on the products we review.
Why this website?
Because there is a lot to explore.
Tinned fish is no longer a pantry staple found only on supermarket shelves. It's become luxurious, even an indulgence.
It has become a broad and rapidly evolving category, with products from around the world—Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Denmark, Japan, Alaska and more. From the Atlantic, Pacific, the Mediterranean and elsewhere. From the North Sea to the tip of Chile.
We're here to explore all of it.
Welcome to Sardeenz!
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