Herring

Deutsche Kuche 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 tomato sauce and a pineapple curry 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.

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, even including the saltines in the calculation.

What's in the can isn't as pretty as what's on the can, 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.

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

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

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, and in England 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 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

While not noted as kipper, kippered or kipper snacks on the label, these are still essentially just that. They were under $2 on Amazon. They had a nice smoke flavor that didn't taste fake. Some people say they find these too smoky, but 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". It may be worth noting that the "Kipper Style" clocks in at 600mg sodium, while these "Golden Smoked" only have 410mg.

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

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

See it on Amazon

Polar Kipper Snacks

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. Of the three, they contain a low 100mg. sodium per can. At the price, we would have no problem buying these again.

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

See it on Amazon

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. They have 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.