I don't see these Mina Skinless Boneless Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil anywhere locally except one supermarket. There, they kind of stick out like a sore thumb among the multitude of cans of Beach Cliff and Chicken of the Sea. The store must not sell many, as I noted the best by date was only 18 months away. They were a little pricey, but I bought a can to try, anyway.
Interesting carton. The repeating graphic is four fish tail-to-tail. Gold leaf accents give an upscale touch.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.75/5.
There was enough headroom for maybe another fish in there. At 4.4 oz. listed weight, I expected a tightly-packed can. Clean aroma. A sip of the oil had a peppery note, which I attributed to the EVOO itself and considered a positive.
The ingredients list only the fish, EVOO and salt. Very tender fish with a nice mild flavor. Not dry. I ate them with no extras or add-ons. I found them comparable to King Oscar, except for the loose packing.
Main Takeaways
- Might have been shorted a fish
- Nice EVOO
- King Oscar still our go-to for boneless skinless pilchards
See it at Amazon. About $3 per can in quantity there.
Brand: Mina/Casablanca Foods, Inc.
Description: Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $4-5