These Les Mouettes d'Arvor Sardines with Lemon and Chili Pepper were among the baker's dozen cans I just received. Although my count may be off by one, I'm making them my 100th tin tasted. I'm choosing them because they represent (to me) several unusual characteristics: they're from France, they're unusually spiced, and they're by a brand with which I'm heretofore not familiar.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.
These look nice, albeit the skin is a little torn up. It's one of those shallow cans, so I'm surprised to see six fish. There's no overt aroma. A sip of the oil is neutral and doesn't represent the flavors of the seasonings. The can says extra virgin olive oil, but I wouldn't have guessed it was otherwise. I'm not getting any of the back-of-throat heat I expect from chili pepper. Usually, lemon and chili pepper are mutually exclusive sardine flavorings. Once again, a can of French sardines lists "lemon confit", but this time there is nothing I would consider a confit.
There are some scales, some tails, and some pelvic fins. Perhaps that's common to French pilchard packing processes, or just this cannery, I don't know. The fish lift from the can intact. The meat is a little on the firm side, and with a somewhat dry mouth feel. Working my way through the can, the lemon and pepper are subtle, becoming more evident as I go. The heat is courtesy of one tiny piri-piri. The lemon seems confined to a long, thin strip of lemon skin, giving a more zest-like than a citrus note.
A paper label affixed to the lid side of the can lists all the particulars, even the name of the fishing vessel making the catch. I had to photograph it, since opening the can required tearing it back to access the ring.
The Gonidec family cannery, in business since 1959, is the last one remaining in Concarneau, a major French fishing port.
These weren't bad, overall. But I don't know that I'd buy them again.
Main Takeaways
- More fish than expected
- Lemon confit just some lemon skin
- Not impressive enough to buy again
Available at Amazon. A little pricey there.
Brand: Les Mouettes d'Arvor
Description: Sardines with Lemon and Chili Pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: France
Source: FAO27, Northeastern Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.06 oz.
Price Range: $10