These Delamaris Mackerel Fillets in Olive Oil were found as a new item at a local international market. I'm always on the lookout for a good tin of mackerel fillets at a reasonable price. At $3.49, these were worth a try.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.
Some nice looking fillets. The extra chunk filling in space at the lower right to me says customer first impressions matter. The aroma is of fresh fish, mild and slightly tuna-like. I see no bones or skin.
A sip of the transparent, pale green olive oil gives a clean taste. The front label just says "olive oil", but the ingredients list "refined olive oil, extra virgin olive oil", and you can taste the quality of it.
Let's Eat
Altogether, there was one large chunk, a smaller chunk underneath, and that bonus piece. The meat is firm, and the pieces remain intact as they are extracted from the tin. There is still quite a bit of the olive oil with some floating mackerel bits in it left in the can, and not wanting to waste any, I poured it all over the fish and rice.
The fish is firm and toothsome on the palate, but in no way dry. It has a mild, buttery flavor that I always say makes me prefer it over tuna. Good mackerel is like a good steak.
The sodium is listed as an above average 510mg. but I found the fish not at all salty, and quite frankly didn't miss it.
Main Takeaways
- Mild, buttery fish
- Good mackerel flavor
- Really good olive oil
All in all, a really nice tin of mackerel fillets. I've paid over twice as much for similar, and wasn't twice as impressed as I was by this one. I'll be going back for more.
I noted the company website says they pack in a combo of EVOO and sunflower oil. I also noted the tin had an adhesive label covering the entire bottom. Peeling it back, I expected to see conflicting information printed directly on the tin, but it was totally blank.
Also odd, I thought, was the inclusion of both the California Prop65 warning as well as a "Not for sale in the State of California" statement.
Brand: Delamaris
Description: Mackerel Fillets in Olive Oil
Species: Scomber japonicus
Country of Origin: Slovenia
Source: FAO37, Mediterranean Sea
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3-4