I got these Bar Harbor Wild Petite Sardines on sale at Whole Foods. They were intriguing because, as sprats in a round can like this go, they were not smoked. As such, I expected a more premium experience.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.
Nicer presentation than in the stock photo of the package. An oddly bland aroma, which I attributed to the lack of smoke. There are ten fish and a fraction visible in the top layer, with 6 more beneath.
The fish are very tender, the flavor mild, the texture buttery. As for the EVOO, it was neutral, not really adding anything. The tails are mostly removed, an acknowledgement of the prickliness often found in Latvian sprats.
But, as with the aroma, the taste was a bit bland. These might be the brisling purist's cup of tea, but I thought they needed a little kick. A little Salsa Espinaler did the trick. But, in retrospect, I think just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice might be the perfect balance between purist bland and the want of a little zest. If I catch these on sale again, that's how I will revisit them.
Main Takeaways
- Unsmoked sprats?
- Great texture and flavor, but still kind of bland
- Needed something to brighten things up
Brand: Bar Harbor Foods
Description: Wild Petite Sardines in EVOO
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $5