mackerel Archives - Page 2 of 3

Da Morgada Portugese Mackerel

This Da Morgada Portugese Mackerel was purchased at the same time as some of their spiced sardines. I enjoy tinned mackerel, with some exceptions, and this one was attractively priced. I was concerned that "cavala" meant I might be getting whole horse mackerel again, but that fear was unfounded. This carton doesn't have the gold accents their sardine carton did, but the graphics are quite eye-catching.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

Five really nice looking fillets. A sip of the oil is neutral. The fillets are firm enough to be plucked from the can intact. Their texture is slightly al dente, with a mild flavor. I am again reminded that I tend to prefer mackerel over sub-premium tuna. The ingredients list salt, and I thought it might have benefited from a little more. But I didn't have any on hand. I tried a few drops of Valentina on a bite, but it wasn't the improvement I was looking for.

My overall impression was mixed. I've had other mackerel in this price range or even lower that I liked just as well if not more than this one.

I really need to find a way to use this type of mackerel in some kind of dish, perhaps as a substitute for tuna in a Nicoise salad.

Main Takeaways

Firm, tasty mackerel meat
Could have used a little more salt
Re-purchase uncertain

Brand: Da Morgada
Description: Portugese mackerel
Species: Scomber sp.
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $5

Fishwife Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes

DeenLeave a comment

I picked up this Fishwife Slow Smoked Mackerel on a recent run to World Market. Like many of you, I'm sure, I wonder if the quality of the contents lives up to the level of effort Fishwife puts into their packaging. Is it "all hat, no cattle", or was this mackerel worth $9 a can?

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but the appearance and aroma had my full attention. A sip of the oil was a preview of coming attractions. Smoky, with a dark, complex sweetness, and a little heat on the back end. I wanted this out over rice, as the carton suggests, but took a little nibble off of a corner first. The texture was what I expected of a slow smoked fish, al dente, kind of like the bark on barbecued pork.

The carton lists a modest 220 calories (drained), but if I'm eating it over rice, I'm dumping the whole thing.

There were three pieces, skin on, one a bit larger and thicker than the others which looked more like from the tail end. A thin layer of fat under the skin improved the mouth feel.

The sweetness, the carton says, comes from demerara sugar, that from the first pressing of the sugar cane. Its molasses content adds a layer of complexity.

Altogether, we have sweet, salty, savory and a mild heat providing a winning combination. Was it worth the $9? I think so.

Main Takeaways

Amazing aroma
Tantalizing flavor profile
Fatty skin adds a decadent element

Brand: Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co.
Description: Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes
Species: Mackerel
Country of Origin: Scotland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/No
Net Wt: 3.7 oz.
Price Range: $9

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Wild Planet Wild Mackerel in EVOO

DeenLeave a comment

I bought this Wild Planet Wild Mackerel Skinless & Boneless Fillets in Extra Virgin Olive Oil on sale for under $4 at Whole Foods, with an eye toward comparing it to their smoked mackerel.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

Reasonably full packing of fish. Neutral aroma, not fishy. The EVOO is also neutral in flavor. As with most tinned mackerel, the meat is pale in color, firm in texture, but flakes readily.

The flavor of the fish is mild and pleasant enough to stand on its own. But, I'm always looking for different ways to spice things up, so a few dashes of Valentina added some mild heat.

A blurb on the carton calls mackerel a "plentiful, underutilized species', and I'd have to agree. I'm more satisfied with most of the cans of mackerel I try vs. half of the cans of tuna.

Main Takeaways

Generous portion
Mild flavor, maybe too mild
Priced well, better if on sale

See it at Amazon.

Brand: Wild Planet
Description: Wild Mackerel Skinless & Boneless Fillets in EVOO
Species: Scomber colias
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $5

Season Grilled Mackerel in Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

I have seen favorable reviews of this lately, and decided to give it my own assessment. This Season Grilled Mackerel in 100% Olive Oil is widely available, typically seen sold alongside other Season Brand tinned fish products in supermarkets and mass retailers.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

Tinned mackerel usually isn't very photogenic unless it's been neatly sliced before packing. Here we have three can-filling fillets, more like bars of fish. Better than the amorphous chunks of some more recent mackerel tastings, though. The aroma is pleasantly fishy, not off-putting. The oil has a clean, neutral taste. The grill marks are hard to discern if they're genuine or applied artificially.

The taste is reminiscent of a mild tuna. But the texture is more firm, meatier. If actually grilled, the process doesn't seem to have added anything in the way of flavor that one might expect. I applied a little Salsa Espinaler to add some seasoning, but was undecided as to whether it was an improvement.

The "new look" carton is chock full of information. Species, catch area, country of origin, nutrition facts are all there.

Overall, this was good. If you'd like a canned fish that's less fishy-tasting than inexpensive tuna at a reasonable price, mackerel is a choice worth investigating. For under $3, I'd buy it again.

Main Takeaways

Nice filets
Whether the grilling is genuine or added anything is uncertain
Refreshing alternative to tuna at a bargain price

See it at Amazon.

Brand: Season Brand, LLC
Description: Grilled Mackerel in 100% Olive Oil
Species: Scomber colias
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.375 oz.
Price Range: $3

Wild Planet Smoked Mackerel in EVOO

DeenLeave a comment

I found this Wild Planet Smoked Mackerel in Extra Virgin Olive Oil intriguing because it emphasized the "smoked" aspect. Not so many other tinned mackerels do, even though they might list smoke flavor on the container. Unsmoked, mackerel can be a buttery, rich, tender bite of fish. I wondered what a truly smoked iteration might taste like.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

What it lacks in visual appeal, however, it more than makes up for in taste. The contents are two fillets stacked, skin side down. A bit firmer than other mackerel tasted to date, but it's still acceptably tender.

The smoke flavor, naturally achieved, is forward, but not overpowering. I tried a couple of bites with just a few drops of Valentina hot sauce, and it made for an interesting flavor combination.

Recommended. I paid $5 at WF, but I see it's currently under $4 on sale for Amazon Prime members there.

The packaging lacks source information, other than to say "product of Latvia".

Main Takeaways

Good balance on the smoke
Firm but still tender enough
Good value, especially if on sale

Brand: Wild Planet
Description: Wild Smoked Mackerel in EVOO
Species: Scomber japonicus or Scomber colias
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/No
Net Wt: 3.9 oz.
Price Range: $5

La Narval Southern Mackerel

DeenLeave a comment

I remember, when I bought this mackerel at World Market, thinking, "What brand is this?" The WM website says something like "Don Gastronom", but that's nowhere on the box. The box says Southern Mackerel in Olive Oil (in Spanish and English). And "distributed by Conservas Artesanas Gallegas S.L.", with a web address that leads to a site identifying itself as "La Narval". Only then do I notice that name in some tiny print. So, who's "Don"?

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.75/5.

A minor deduction for that free space you see at 6 o'clock that could'a had some more fish in it. Otherwise, very nice. I always like seeing distinct pieces of fish, as opposed to just chunks stuffed into a can. Clean aroma, really nice olive oil.

Mild and meaty fillets of chub mackerel, 4 pieces in total. No skin, but I thought I detected a couple of fine bones. Salt is on the ingredients list, and I thought it might have benefited by a just a pinch more.

I thought this, from the website, was interesting: "After being cooked in seawater, we dry it a little bit so that when it gets in contact with the sauce, it gets re-hydrated again increasing its taste and texture." Sauce?

I tried it plain first, then with a few drops of Espinaler. It was better without, actually. Good quality fish can be that way, standing just fine on its own. If you like canned mackerel, worth a try.

But again, who the heck is "Don"? I looked it up and, rather than a who, it appears to be an association representing a family of brands of Spanish foods, of which La Narval is one.

Main Takeaways

Meaty and mild flavor
Needed salt
Good value

Brand: Don Gastronom / La Narval
Description: Southern Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: North Atlantic chub mackerel
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $5-6

King Oscar Mackerel in Olive Oil with Lemon

DeenLeave a comment

Fully described as King Oscar Royal Fillets Mackerel in Olive Oil with Lemon. The quest for great lemon flavor in a can of tinned fish is realized. Only to be disappointed by the lackluster presentation.

Initial impression upon opening the can: Are you kidding me?

Just look at it. This is not what I've come to expect from King Oscar mackerel, or any King Oscar for that matter. An amorphous mass of fish debris. No planks of mackerel fillet, just clumps and shreds of pieces parts.

Visually, it's no more appealing than a can of cheap supermarket tuna in oil. I mean, come on, it says "Royal Fillets" right there on the can. Some might say, "Well, the lemon juice did that." While the acidity may have denatured proteins in the meat, it certainly didn't stir it up into mush.

The upside? The lemon flavor is actually quite good. The ingredients say spirit vinegar, concentrated lemon juice and natural lemon flavoring, along with some salt, are responsible for the flavor. It works. Not as great as squeezing your own fresh lemon juice, though. More like that from one of those plastic lemon-shaped squeeze-bulbs of reconstituted lemon juice. But compared to what many others call "with lemon" or "lemon flavor" that fall woefully short, this KO is actually superior in conveying a more-or-less realistic lemon juice flavor.

Only one can was available for me to try, so I may have to risk buying another to confirm if this messy fish presentation is just a fluke. At under $3 a can, I'm willing to give KO the benefit of the doubt.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Mackerel in Olive Oil with Lemon
Species: North Atlantic mackerel
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.05 oz.
Price Range: $2-3