These Nuri Extra Spiced Sardines in Olive Oil came with an order from International Loft a couple of months ago. I saw a recent review of them online, and was moved to finally crack open the can and compare thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.
Not the prettiest, but these are some hefty pilchards, and they're packed in there tight. It's one of those deep cans, so it's a generous 4.4 oz. portion. There are no scales apparent, nor any fins or partial tails.
The aroma is of fresh fish, but not too much of the spice. A sip of the oil is spicy on the tongue, with the heat hitting squarely at the back of the throat.
Let's Dig In
Put out over rice, there are five fish in total: one smaller, three medium, and one huge. The usual spiced suspects are there, notably with three piri-piri peppers, which appear to account for the "extra". Also appearing are a pickle slice, a sliver of carrot and a chip of laurel leaf. The wrapper lists cloves, but I found none.
Even packed full, there was a substantial amount of peppery spice-infused oil left in the can, and I poured most of it over the fish and rice.
Although firm in appearance, these are incredibly tender, and not dry at all. The heat from the peppers is steady and complements the flavor of the fish nicely. It is, however, piquant enough to prompt some scalp perspiration.
All in all, a top notch can of fish that I'd happily buy again. Although I'm not sure what, other than the extra pepper or two, makes these cost $2 more than their regular "spiced" version.
Update: Apparently, in addition to the triple peppers, the extra cost can be attributed to the fact these are aged a minimum of 90 days longer than the regular spiced version, before being shipped to market.
Main Takeaways
- Tender, moist, mild flavored fish
- Spiciness well-balanced
- Steady heat, short of overpowering
Brand: Pinhais/Nuri
Description: Extra Spiced Sardines in Olive Oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $8