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.
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.
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.
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