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Tag: Maria Organic

Published on Leave a comment on Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon

I got these Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon at the same time as some of their spiced sardines, which really liked. I'm afraid this time things would be quite different.

Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon carton
Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

This really looks great. Nice pink skipjack tuna. Substantial chunks of meat. I don't see any actual lemon, but at least there's not an overabundance of thyme.

But here's where things went south. The aroma, and subsequently a taste of the canning liquid, a "light brine", were eerily reminiscent of a certain lemon-scented disinfectant spray. And the disappointment didn't end there.

A taste of the fish revealed the brine had successfully infused the meat with the offending flavoring. I guess that's what brines are supposed to do to meat, though. They're intended to preserve moisture, tenderize and flavor the meat soaked in them.

It Gets Worse
Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon over rice

I put the fish out over rice, and cautiously poured a modest amount of the lemon-thyme brine over the meat.

Digging in, I found the pieces hard to separate with a fork. Bite after bite, I couldn't help but remark to myself how utterly dry this tuna was. It was as if the brine and the lemon and thyme had done everything exactly the opposite of what they were supposed to do. And altogether it made this quite possibly some of the worst tuna I've ever eaten.

I could have stopped any time, but I continued to hope the $8.49 wouldn't be a total waste. Rather than throw it out, I thought, "what's the worst some chili crisp can do, now?" So I applied a little of a spicier variety I happened to have on hand. Unbelievably, the lemon disinfectant overtone managed to cut through even still.

I really wanted to like this, primarily based on how impressed I was with the sardines I'd had before. But sorry, no. I also have to wonder if things would have been vastly different had this been packed in olive oil, rather than a brine. Unfortunately, Maria Organic doesn't appear to offer such a combination.

If it matters, this can was packed December 2023 (L345/23). The carton says PT N3531, but the can says PT C2171P.

Main Takeaways
  • Off-putting aroma and flavor
  • Very dry tuna
  • Utter disappointment

Brand: 100 Misterios / Maria Organic
Description: Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon
Species: Katsuamo (Katsuwonus) pelamis (Skipjack)
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $8-9

Published on Leave a comment on Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines in EVOO

Here's another selection from my recent haul from Caputo's. These Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines are my first experience with the brand, which is part of the 100 Misterios family, along with JOSÉ Gourmet, ABC+, Ati Manel and others. The carton is in the same sort of plain vein like the JOSÉ Gourmet, a pulp cardboard box printed with black ink. Rather than JOSÉ Gourmet's artwork, the graphic is a simple representation of the type of fish and what it's seasoned with. I note that, like the California Prop 65 warning on the back of the carton, it is also an applied sticker.

Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines carton
Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

Very nice looking fish, silvery skin intact. Most still have pelvic fins, but no scales. There is a single layer of seven fish in the shallow can. The oil is organic EVOO and tinged an orange-copper color from the pepper. A sip of the oil initially tastes like there is more going on than just piri-piri pepper, something aromatic perhaps. But there is nothing else other than salt listed in the ingredients. The heat hits in the back of the throat as expected, but not in a jarring way.

Trying one fish of the seven on its own, the meat is very tender, with a fresh sardine flavor. The pepper and salt level hit just right, making these perhaps the best spiced sardine I've tried to date.

Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines over rice

I put the rest out over rice, along with most of the oil in the can.

There's the pepper, sort of the mid-section from a larger pepper. After I finished, I tried a little bite to assess the heat. There are still several seeds inside, providing the majority of the heat.

I'd have to say, for a first exposure to a brand, these really hit it out of the ball park. Everything is of high quality, and well-balanced on the palate. Highly recommended.

Main Takeaways
  • Small and tender fish
  • Flavors all in balance
  • Spiced just right

See it at Amazon. A little pricier there, though.

Brand: 100 Misterios / JOSÉ Gourmet
Description: Spiced Small Sardines in EVOO
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $8-9