I see dozens of Sadaf brand items at a local Mediterranean market and cafe, but never these Sadaf Moroccan Sardines in Olive Oil. I paid a little more than I probably would have liked to at Amazon, but wanted to check them out.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.
This was another of those super stiff cans you need a crowbar to open. The "easy open" ring on the carton is mistaken. Once open, there was only a mild fishy aroma. The oil was neutral in taste, having picked up only a little of the fish flavor.
Very tight packing, making extracting a single, whole fish impossible without it breaking apart. It almost felt more like a can of tuna. The flavor was mild, typical of most skinless boneless pilchards. This was also one of those slightly deeper than normal cans, so the portion, even though fused into a big mass, was quite generous.
On the whole, I've not found much to distinguish one skinless & boneless sardine over another besides price and availability. Unfortunately, at $6, I doubt I'll be buying these again. The more highly-regarded King Oscar of the same can still be had most anywhere for half that. Of course, I do realize Amazon pricing on single can purchases can be inflated. But these were "sold by" Sadaf themselves, who sell them direct on their own website for $3 (plus shipping).
Main Takeaways
- A little pricey for what they are
- Fish fused together
- Generous portion
Brand: Sadaf Foods
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: $6