Herring Archives - Sardeenz!

Wildfish Cannery Smoked Herring

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

Aldi Herring in Curry Pineapple Sauce

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Was back at Aldi today, and although I said I probably wouldn't, I did go ahead and buy these Herring Fillets in Curry Pineapple Sauce.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 3.5/5.

Contrary to the image on the can (and to reviews you may have seen elsewhere), there are no chunks of pineapple (or anything else) in the sauce. The ingredients, like the Mango Pepper Sauce version, list tomato paste as a component, but the taste of it is not evident. Oddly, this one also lists mango chutney among its ingredients.

Anyway, like the Mango Pepper version, the sauce is mildly sweet and you might be hard-pressed to say just what the fruit flavor of it is if you hadn't read the can. Unlike the Mango Pepper, there is no heat to this one. I also can't really tell where the "curry" comes from. Suffice it to say it's just a pleasant, mildly fruity sauce.

I liked these just about as much as the Mango Pepper version-- maybe less-so-- as I preferred the bit of heat in that other one. At $1.69 for a 7.05oz. can, you really can't lose.

ps. I skipped the Tomato Sauce version as the picture on the can made it look like a huge, unappealing glop of ketchup on the fish. Meh...

Brand: Deutsche Kuche
Description: Herring Fillets in Curry Pineapple Sauce
Species: Clupea Harengus
Country of Origin: Germany
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 7.05 oz.
Price Range: $2

Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers

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Picked up these Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers by mistake thinking they were the Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil (and knowing that they were actually herring). I had tried the Boneless Skinless (Pilchards) in Olive Oil with Mild Red Pepper, so it was a chance to at least try these.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The package lists serrano pepper as the heat source. Although there are only a few bits of it in the can, the heat is quite pronounced. (As opposed to the whole peppers in the Mild Red Pepper pilchards.) I'm used to spicy foods, and these had me reaching for a plain cracker to tone down the after-burn.

The other thing I noticed that I may have overlooked on the plain "in olive oil" version is that these aren't really "in" olive oil. They just have droplets of oil on the surface of whatever brine/juice these are packed in. Olive oil is the second ingredient on the package listing, so one would assume it should be the second-most amount of the overall make-up. But I really don't see it. Also, "serrano peppers" should really just say "pepper" as it's only the slightest bits of pieces and seeds. But they do really spice it up. I can't imagine how hot they'd be if there was any more.

Anyway, if you like the heat, these might fill the bill for you.

See it on Amazon

Brand: Bumble Bee Seafoods/Brunswick
Description: Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil with Hot Peppers
Species: Herring
Country of Origin: Canada
Source:
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2

Aldi Herring in Mango Pepper Sauce

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Deutsche Kuche brand Herring Fillets in Mango Pepper Sauce are one of three herring selections Aldi sells seasonally, usually twice a year, along with an array of other German style products. The other two are in a tomato sauce and a curry pineapple sauce. This one sounded the most appealing of the three. At only $1.69, it wasn't going to break the bank if I didn't like it.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

What's in the can isn't as pretty as what's on the can. Kind of a mish-mash of fish and sauce. But there really are some little green peppercorns floating around in the sauce. The sauce was pleasant, the mango flavor not being as forward as one might expect. The pepper was subtle, being more evident on the back end of a bite.

I always like to try the sauce or oil by itself on a cracker, and thought maybe a little hot sauce might have perked things up a bit. I won't necessarily be rushing back to Aldi to stock up, but if I see them the next time they're available, I'll grab a can or two.

At 7.05 ounces, this is a big serving of canned fish, although the label lists the contents as two servings. Not being one to want to deal with canned fish leftovers, I made a lunch of the whole can. Along with a half sleeve of saltines, the calorie count came in at 650. By comparison, a 6" Subway Club on wheat bread with provolone cheese, some veggies and mayo is about 635. The sandwich, though, has about twice the fat, and 50% more sodium. And that's even including the saltines in the calculation.

DK is an Aldi exclusive brand, so don't bother trying to find them at a good price on Amazon or elsewhere.

Brand: Deutsche Kuche
Description: Herring Fillets in Mango Pepper Sauce
Species: Clupea Harengus
Country of Origin: Germany
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 7.05 oz.
Price Range: $1-2

Kipper Snacks Shootout

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While perusing the tinned fish shelf at your local store, you will undoubtedly come across what are called kipper snacks. As opposed to the typical 4x3 dimensional ratio of a typical sardine can, kipper snack cans are usually longer by half, sometimes narrower and shallower as well.

Kipper is a term used to describe herring fillets which have been salt-cured and cold smoked, a process also known as kippering. They are most often packed in brine, but are sometimes seen packed in oil. Delicious as a snack, they have long been served in Europe and Scandinavia. In England, they are often served as a breakfast meat.

Ounce for ounce, they are typically less expensive than sardines (pilchards and brisling), and are high in healthful Omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, they are salt-cured, so if sodium content is a concern you may want to tread carefully.

Here are some you are most likely to see in the US market. We tried them all, and to be honest, they're all good and also inexpensive. But we liked the Brunswick Golden Smoked we got from Amazon for both taste and value. You'll most likely find the MW Polar brand in your local area. While local stores stock a few King Oscar products, their kipper snacks were not among them.

Brunswick Golden Smoked Herring Fillets

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

While not noted as kipper, kippered or kipper snacks on the label, these are still essentially just that. They were under $2 on Amazon. 160 calories and they had a nice smoke flavor that didn't taste fake. Some people say they find these too smoky. Maybe it's because these are actually smoked as opposed having "natural smoke flavor" added, so there could be some variation in smoke level from one lot to another.

Brunswick does offer another version described as "Kipper Style", which only contains "natural smoke flavoring". It may be worth noting that the "Kipper Style" clocks in at 600mg sodium, while these "Golden Smoked" only have 460mg.

Ours came in the cellophane-wrapped package shown here, but we understand updated cans will have the graphics and information on the can itself.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: Brunswick
Description: Golden Smoked Herring fillets
Species: Clupea Harengus
Country of Origin: Canada
Source:
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.25 oz.
Price Range: $2

MW Polar Kipper Snacks

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

These were also under $2 at Walmart, and it's a big can, so you feel like you're getting a lot. The label says they're naturally smoked, and the dark coloration of the surface of the fillets bears this out.

Of the three, they have only 130 calories and contain a low 100mg. sodium per can. At the price, we would have no problem buying these again. Perfect for a low calorie mid-day snack.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: MW Polar
Description: Kipper Snacks
Species: Clupea Harengus
Country of Origin: Germany
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.53 oz.
Price Range: $2

King Oscar Kipper Snacks

King Oscar Kipper Snacks are available both packed in brine and juices, and packed in olive oil. We weren't paying attention and bought this version from Amazon. Of the three, they were the most expensive, about 25% more than the others.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

The lighter color compared to the MW Polar tends to confirm the claim of lightly smoked. They have 140 calories and 360mg. sodium per can. The quality we have come to expect from King Oscar was there, but we can't say there was enough difference to want to pay more. Hopefully, we can try the olive oil packed version at a later time, and see if that's something worth considering.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Kipper Snacks
Species: Clupea Harengus
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.54 oz.
Price Range: $2-3