I got these Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Oil & Hot Peppers at the same time as the previously reviewed tin with olive oil and hot peppers. These cost about 50 cents less, but are packed in sunflower oil. I was curious to see if the difference was worth it.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.
A comparison of these and the others in olive oil places these on top visually. They are less ragged, and look a little larger. I note some scales here, though.
The oil is less red in color. The aroma is about the same, just subtly of fresh sardine. A sip of the oil does not knock me back like the other can did.
Let's Eat
There are only five fish this time, as compared to six for the olive oil version.
Three peppers this time instead of two, but they haven't delivered the heat level of the other can. There were a couple tablespoons-worth of oil left in the can, and I poured about half over everything.
The fish are meaty and tender, but the texture seems a little mealier than the olive oil version. And, although the carton lists the same 440mg. sodium, they taste far less salty than the other.
I ate three as-is, but then spiced up the rest with some Mishima Chef Troy's Recipe Crunchy Chili Garlic Sauce, a new one I recently picked up. I find it to be a well-balanced taberu rayu-style chili crisp, with equal parts garlic, onion, salt and sweet, plus a nutty crunch from the garlic and sesame.
Main Takeaways
- Tender and meaty sardine, if not a tad mealy
- Not as satisfyingly hot/spicy as olive oil version tried previously
- Salt level lacking
I think I'd have to chalk the differences between these and the olive oil version up to just variance from can to can. Admittedly, basing judgement off of only one can of each isn't enough of a representative sample to be relied upon. Each had strengths and weaknesses the other lacked. But I think I'm more likely to try another can of the olive oil-packed version, all things considered.
Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines with sunflower oil & hot pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.41 oz.
Price Range: $3