These Fangst Brisling Spiced with Allspice & Cloves are from a recent online order. I got them after trying and liking the ones with heather and chamomile.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.
Kind of a mess in there. I expected a neater presentation. But I give the benefit of the doubt, and forge ahead. A sip of the oil gives an unusual taste that I can't attribute to either allspice or clove. The aroma is the same. Then I remember this isn't olive oil but instead cold pressed rapeseed (canola) oil. I see little in the way of tails.
As I try to extract a whole fish from the can, I find they are impossibly tender and fall apart at the slightest movement. Perhaps this explains the messy appearance. The carton promises they are mildly spiced, and, with one clove and one allspice berry, they are that. The Danes have a different, subtle take on sardine seasoning from that of Western Europe, and I find that refreshing.
As with the previous Fangst brisling selection, they are noticeably salty, but not excessively so. I consider it a plus. By the time I reach the last of the eight or so fish, what's left in the can is mostly debris from the unsuccessful attempts to pluck out whole fish. I happily change utensils in order to get the rest of it.
I looked forward to trying these, and initial appearance aside, was not disappointed. I'd buy them again.
Main Takeaways
- Kind of messed up looking
- Really tender, too tender, "fall apart-y"
- Still really tasty
A little pricey in lots of three at Amazon, but not too bad.
Brand: Fangst (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Description: Brisling Spiced with Allspice & Cloves
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.5 oz.
Price Range: $8