Deen, Author at Sardeenz!

MW Polar Fancy Whole Smoked Oysters

I picked these MW Polar Fancy Whole Smoked Oysters up at a local supermarket months ago. I bought them mainly for two reasons: I hadn't tried this brand's smoked oysters yet, and they were relatively cheap. I've always been satisfied with MW Polar tinned seafood products, having had their kipper snacks and smoked sprats. At $1.79, I could afford to be curious.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

The aroma when cracking the lid was about as expected: a typical but light smokiness. They appear nicely packed, and whole, as noted on the carton. The "fancy" is just marketing. Size-wise, they are about average. There appears to be about twenty in there. A sip of the oil, cottonseed as is typical of Chinese smoked oysters, doesn't really echo anything in the way of smokiness.

Snack Time

I'd already had a small lunch, but was still a little hungry, so having these as a snack seemed like a good way to solve that.

Texturally, they are pretty much the usual: half meaty/half mealy. The flavor is not really any different from a half dozen similar others I've tried. If anything, they are less smoky-tasting, even though the carton touts them as being naturally wood smoked. A little more salt might have been welcome, as they contained a moderately low 230mg. sodium.

Main Takeaways

Typical canned smoked oysters
Subtle level of smoke

I'll continue my search for a relatively inexpensive tin of smoked oysters that makes me forget about the rest. Thankfully, it's a good thing I'm not in a hurry.

Brand: MW Polar
Description: Smoked oysters in cottonseed oil
Species: N/S
Country of Origin: China
Source: Farmed
Skin/Bones: N/A
Net Wt: 3.0 oz.
Price Range: $1-2

Wildfish Cannery Smoked Herring

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This Wildfish Cannery Smoked Herring came from Caputo's. My experience with herring to date has largely been confined to kipper snacks and a few tins where herring is sold as sardines. This herring is expensive by comparison to those. But a take on smoked herring from a small cannery piqued my interest.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

Compared to smoked salmon from this and similar sources, the visual is kind of unappealing. There is some skin, as well as visible spines and soft bones. Rather than a rich mahogany, the smoke has only reinforced the dull brown hue of the herring.

The aroma of smoke is pleasant enough. A sip of the packing liquid (no oil is listed) is reminiscent of a smoky seafood broth. The ingredients list includes sea salt, brown sugar, garlic, black pepper and alderwood smoke.

Digging In

The fish is in small chunks which tend to fall apart as they are picked out of the tin. From what I've read, the loins are cut into smaller chunks before smoking, I assume in order to maximize the smoke exposure.

The bones and spines are easy enough to overlook as they are soft enough to be relatively undetectable on the palate.

The fish doesn't seem overly salty. The sodium level is listed as a surprisingly low 170mg. But then I note the can is considered two servings, so per can it lands somewhat near average.

I expected the brown sugar to play a bigger part in the flavor profile, but the smoke predominated. Not overwhelmingly, just the most forward of anything listed.

Main Takeaways

Visually kind of blah
Smoke level forward but not cloying
Other seasonings overshadowed by the smoke

I'm glad I gave this a try, but all things considered I'd have to say I prefer smoked herring in the kipper snacks style, which also has the benefit of being comparatively quite inexpensive. Oh, well.

Some Random Thoughts on Marketing

You've probably noticed by now the use of eye-catching graphics by some smaller (and not so small) boutique canneries, two from Alaska come to mind.

I find puzzling the phenomenon of taking an already premium-priced product and making it even more costly by printing extensive graphics on the inside of the carton.

In this particular case, the ingredients, already noted three times on the outside, are repeated on four panels inside. Two company logos are printed on bottom flaps that will never be seen unless the carton is completely disassembled, something most people doubtfully ever do. That the fish are packed by hand is noted no less than ten times on both outer and inner panels.

I guess, once you've decided to print on both sides of something, the only added cost is the ink.

Brand: Wildfish Cannery
Description: Smoked Herring
Species: Alaska Herring
Country of Origin: USA
Source: FAO67, Northeast Pacific
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.5 oz.
Price Range: $8

Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Oil & Hot Peppers

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I got these Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Oil & Hot Peppers at the same time as the previously reviewed tin with olive oil and hot peppers. These cost about 50 cents less, but are packed in sunflower oil. I was curious to see if the difference was worth it.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

A comparison of these and the others in olive oil places these on top visually. They are less ragged, and look a little larger. I note some scales here, though.

The oil is less red in color. The aroma is about the same, just subtly of fresh sardine. A sip of the oil does not knock me back like the other can did.

Let's Eat

There are only five fish this time, as compared to six for the olive oil version.

Three peppers this time instead of two, but they haven't delivered the heat level of the other can. There were a couple tablespoons-worth of oil left in the can, and I poured about half over everything.

The fish are meaty and tender, but the texture seems a little mealier than the olive oil version. And, although the carton lists the same 440mg. sodium, they taste far less salty than the other.

I ate three as-is, but then spiced up the rest with some Mishima Chef Troy's Recipe Crunchy Chili Garlic Sauce, a new one I recently picked up. I find it to be a well-balanced taberu rayu-style chili crisp, with equal parts garlic, onion, salt and sweet, plus a nutty crunch from the garlic and sesame.

Main Takeaways

Tender and meaty sardine, if not a tad mealy
Not as satisfyingly hot/spicy as olive oil version tried previously
Salt level lacking

I think I'd have to chalk the differences between these and the olive oil version up to just variance from can to can. Admittedly, basing judgement off of only one can of each isn't enough of a representative sample to be relied upon. Each had strengths and weaknesses the other lacked. But I think I'm more likely to try another can of the olive oil-packed version, all things considered.

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines with sunflower oil & hot pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.41 oz.
Price Range: $3

Ati Manel Sardines in Tomato Sauce

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These Ati Manel Sardines in Tomato Sauce came with my last Caputo's order. I have gradually become more accustomed to the idea of sardines packed in tomato sauces, and, having had good experiences with this brand in the past, gave them a try.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Some nice looking sardines, not perfect, but not all torn up, either. The oil is tinted an orange-red, and I am assuming the tomato component has separated and is hiding under the fish. The aroma is subtle, and a sip of the oil doesn't really reveal anything about the tomato.

There appear to be five fish, four of medium size and one larger. I don't see anything in the way of scales or fins.

Let's Do Lunch

After placing them out over rice, the first thing of note is that there really wasn't much in the way of tomato under the fish. The label says olive oil and tomato pulp each contribute 14% of the contents. It seems like far less tomato. I poured everything left in the can over the fish and rice in order to make the best of it. You can see the tomato component was sparse.

The fish are quite tender, even if they didn't fall apart getting them out of the tin. The texture is just short of melt-in-your-mouth.

The fish flavor is good, but the modest amount of tomato is bland and not really bringing anything to the party. They might have benefited from a little more salt, as it felt lower than the 480mg. sodium listed.

I finished the four smaller ones, and then topped the last larger one with some Micro Pharms Fried Chili Oil. The added salt and spice of the pepper perked things up nicely.

Main Takeaways

Tender, flavorful pilchards
Tomato lacking and bland
Needed a little salt or something to liven things up

The Maria Organic Sardines in Tomato I recently tried had far more and much better tomato than these. My expectation, these being their stablemate under the 100 Misterios umbrella, was that the quality would be similar. Sadly not, at least in terms of the tomato. The upside is the fish themselves are of the quality expected from Ati Manel, a brand known for value in Portugese sardines.

Brand: 100 Misterios / Ati Manel
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $7

JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato

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These JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato came with a recent Caputo's order. I have experienced an increasing affinity for sardines in tomato-based sauces, after having avoided them for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, let's try these out.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

There appear to be seven fish total. The can is a shallower one, so what you see is what you get (almost). The aroma is subtle, just slightly that of fresh sardine and somewhat vegetal. A sip of the red-tinted oil (EVOO!) is similarly vegetal, but gives no real hints of the tomato. I see no scales or fins.

Time To Eat

I was able to remove them all from the can largely intact. Underneath, and a happy surprise, was the tomato sauce from which the oil had separated. All told, there were a couple of tablespoons of it all, which I distributed over the fish and rice.

Tasting the tomato component, I find it has a subtle seasoning. The ingredients list tomato pulp, EVOO, onion and garlic, an unnamed preparation comprised of white wine, sugar, white pepper and paprika, and salt.

The seasonings account for a very small percentage of the list, but the onion, garlic and some sweetness, either from the tomato or the sugar, are the most detectable. The salt level, listed at 360mg. sodium, didn't distract.

The fish are tender, but firm enough to divide into bites with a fork without mushiness. While eating, I thought a spicy tomato version might be well-received. On the other hand, the sauce was subtle enough (I won't call it bland) to let the taste of the fish shine through.

If any complaint, it would be that there were a couple of pieces of what looked like some kind of brown grass that were either on or in one of the fish. Nothing in the ingredient list to explain it, but definitely some kind of plant material.

Main Takeaways

Tender, tasty small sardines
Well-balanced, subtle sauce lets fish flavor shine

Brand: 100 Misterios / JOSÉ Gourmet
Description: Small Sardines in tomato
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $9

Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Olive Oil & Hot Peppers

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These Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Olive Oil & Hot Peppers were also from that new local Middle Eastern market. They also sell a version packed in sunflower oil with hot peppers. A gentleman at the market proclaimed these packed in olive oil to be his favorite sardine. I had tried the ones with tomato sauce and hot peppers before and thought they were worthy. Let's see how these fare.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

A little ragged-looking, but that's not usually a problem, taste-wise. The fresh sardine aroma is subtle. The oil is tinted red from the pepper. There are a few scales evident, but no tails or fins. A sip of the olive oil is neutral, until its heat hits the back of the throat with unexpected intensity.

Diving In

There are six medium size fish packed in the deep tin. All were firm enough to extract fairly intact, save for some roughed-up skin. Two sizeable peppers apparently account for the muscular level of heat.

There was a tablespoon or more of oil left in the can, and I cautiously poured about two thirds of it over everything.

Separating the fish into bites with a fork, they are firm but on the palate tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth. They are satisfyingly meaty at the same time. The salt level is just about right, with 440mg. sodium, a little above average.

Mixing the hot oil with the rice subdued the heat somewhat, and made for a satisfying level of spice throughout.

Main Takeaways

Tender, meaty pilchards
Good sardine flavor
Pepper heat is strong but not excessive

I would consider these a definite re-buy for spicy sardines. They check most all of the boxes for flavor, texture and heat. And all at a reasonable price.

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines with olive oil & hot pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.41 oz.
Price Range: $3

El Manar Mediterranean Sardines in Sunflower Oil

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I got these El Manar Mediterranean Sardines in Sunflower Oil from another new-to-me local vendor, this time a Middle Eastern market. I had been wanting to try the brand for a long time, but they were never available individually priced on Amazon. While they were very attractively priced by the dozen there, I was reluctant to commit to twelve cans of an unknown commodity.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

This was one of those super stiff cans you think you'll never get the lid off. I was finally able to do so with minimal oil splatter. After doing so, I didn't note much in the way of aroma, only the slightest whiff of a fresh fish smell. A sip of the oil was also neutral, not unexpected from sunflower oil.

There looks to be a generous number of fish in this can, which is a good thing. I also see little or nothing in the way of scales or fins. Also good.

Lunch Time

Unloading the can out over rice, I am pleased to see a total of eight fish. They are firm enough to remain intact.

An initial bite reveals a meaty texture, not dry but not what I would call juicy by any means. I also note they are surprisingly a little salty, but not off-puttingly so. The English language label lists 270mg. sodium, relatively low for tinned fish.

After finishing half the can, I decided to season them up a little. A new jar of Micro Pharms Crunchy Garlic Oil seemed the perfect choice. It has tons of crunch, and by typical chili crisp/crunch standards, isn't salty at all. Turns out it was a good combination. I note the Amazon listing's image of the label says 0mg. sodium, but it's actually a still-very low 60mg.

Main Takeaways

Tender but firm fish
Generous portion
A little salty

Overall, I thought there was much to like about these, and just may consider purchasing a dozen. El Manar also sells a version packed in harissa oil. Hopefully, I can convince the local vendor to consider stocking them as well.

Brand: ManarThon-Zarzis / El Manar
Description: Sardines in sunflower oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Tunisia
Source: FAO37, Mediterranean Sea
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3-4