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Briosa Gourmet Spiced Mackerel Fillets

These Briosa Gourmet Spiced Mackerel Fillets came with an order from International Loft about two months ago. I don't know why it took so long to get around to cracking the can. I had previously reviewed their spiced sardines around that time, and found them worthy. Would these be as impressive? Let's find out.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

Some beautiful mackerel fillets. The aroma of spice hits the nose immediately. A sip of the oil has a spiciness reminiscent of a Spanish red vermut. A nibble of the fish has, as hoped, a mild, fresh fish taste.

Let's Dig In

Lifting the fillets from the can, they are firm and remain relatively intact. There are five fillets, or at least separate pieces, in total. Some tend to split lengthwise as they are transferred to the bowl of rice.

Underneath, there is the trinity of carrot, pepper and pickle. I taste the latter, and it indeed appears to be a pickle, not just a slice of cucumber. This time, there are two small cloves, maybe three, as I think I ate a tiny one with the last fragment of fish in the can. The pepper appears to have expended the bulk of its heat, infusing it into the olive oil.

About two tablespoons-worth of the red-tinged oil were left in the tin, and I poured the majority of it out over everything.

The meat is firm yet tender, flaking readily. I marveled as I ate how in-balance everything was and how complementary it was to the fish. The spices, the heat, the salt level all in a just-right combination. None overpowered the other nor the flavor of the fish, and the heat remained steady and subtle throughout. At no point did I consider adding any hot sauce or chili crisp. I can't think of anything that would have improved upon it just as it came from the tin.

Mian Takeaways

Mild, meaty mackerel
Well-balanced spices
Generous portion

A definite re-buy.

Brand: Conservas Portugal Norte / Briosa Gourmet
Description: Spiced mackerel fillets in olive oil
Species: Scomber sp.
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $6-7

Minerva Mackerel Fillets in Spiced Olive Oil with…

DeenLeave a comment

I leave the title open-ended because it's quite confusing. The package I bought says "Minerva Mackerel Fillets in Spiced Olive Oil with Vegetables". But if you look for it online, you'll find anything but. Some packages say "with pickles". Others are in Portugese, but still clearly say pickles. Some wrappers have UPC codes; others, depending on vendor, do not. But, according to the ingredient statement, they are all apparently the same. This would be my first experience with mackerel from Minerva.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

These look great. The can is packed as full as can be reasonably expected. Slices of cucumber and carrots (pickled?) are nestled between the three fillets.

A sip of the slightly orange-tinted oil is largely neutral, not really spicy at all, but with a hint of a vegetal note. A nibble of the meat is mild, as one would expect of mackerel.

Digging Deeper

The fillets extracted from the can largely intact, a lone, small piri-piri pepper under the last one out. There was a little over a tablespoon of the oil left in the can, and I poured it all over the fish and rice.

The heat from the rice made the spice in the oil bloom a bit, but it never reached a point I would call hot nor even piquant.

The fish might have been a tad dry, but the addition of the oil mostly solved it. I thought a little more salt might have helped. Still, they were tender and flaked easily.

The vegetables had no discernable acidity or saltiness, so I wouldn't really call them pickles. The pepper also lacked any spiciness, but I suppose any it might have had was diffused into the oil.

So, the confusion continues. Pickles? Vegetables? The wrappers, in all their various iterations, say "olive oil, carrot, cucumber, piri-piri chili pepper, salt". If I had to guess, those that say pickles pre-date the ones that say vegetables, based on observable "best by" dates.

Main Takeaways

Good quality mackerel fillets
Spiciness not in evidence
Generous portion

One final observation. I looked at multiple vendor websites, trying to find an image of a wrapper that matched mine, but could not find one. Not even from the place I bought them. What I did find, however, was puzzling: prices all over the map. Under $7 at one place, $8 where I bought them, and $14.50(!) elsewhere. That last one is just crazy, especially considering the cheapest vendor will pay the shipping on orders over $25. That most expensive vendor offers several customer perks, but apparently they come at a cost.

Brand: A Poveira/MInerva
Description: Mackerel Fillets in Spiced Olive Oil with Vegetables
Species: Scomber colias
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.25 oz.
Price Range: $7-14(!)

Ati Manel Garfish in Spiced Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

This Ati Manel Garfish in Spiced Olive Oil was also from an order from Caputo's about three months ago. I'd seen it reviewed, largely knew what to expect, so it wasn't like I was putting off opening the can. But, when I finally did so, it was with a modicum of apprehension, the horse mackerel experience being still fresh in my mind.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

Very interesting appearance. Slender, tubular fish. Shiny skin with no apparent scales. The oil is tinged red, I assume from the pepper. The aroma is of a fresh fish, but not like that of sardines or tuna, or even mackerel. Different, but not bad.

A sip of the oil is only mildly seasoned. Other than the fish, olive oil and salt, the only other listed ingredient is "chilli". But it's not hot at all. Nothing hitting the back of the throat.

The fish are firm, and pull from the can completely intact. A sample taste is both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. The meat is tender, not dry at all. It's sort of like sardines meets mackerel.

Let's Proceed

I put them out over rice, and found something vegetal underneath. Initially, it looked like a sliver of carrot, but I knew it shouldn't be. Apparently, the pepper was laid open, ostensibly to release its flavor.

It wasn't hot, though, having more of a pickled taste. If anything, the predominant seasoning was the salt, and, at 400 mg, I thought its level was just right.

Cautiously, I poured only about half the oil left in the can over it all.

Pierced with a fork, the fish reluctantly separated into bite-size pieces. As I went, I still wasn't getting any heat, but the mild seasoning was pleasant enough. I dumped the remaining oil over the rest.

Overall, I'm glad I tried this. I don't know if it made me want to run out and buy more garfish, but the experience was worthwhile.

Main Takeways

Fresh fish flavor with a meaty texture
Not really all that spicy

Brand: 100 Misterios / Ati Manel
Description: Garfish in Spiced Olive Oil
Species: Belone belone
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $8

Porthos Sardines in Hot Tomato Sauce

DeenLeave a comment

These Porthos Sardines in Hot Tomato Sauce are from a recent run to World Market. My previous satisfaction with a similar selection from Nuri had me curious. Those were the same price, albeit from a different vendor. Let's see how it went.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice looking fish, even partially obscured by the tomato sauce. There look to be five fish. They maybe could have fit one more in there. The label actually says "Fish - min. 65%", a notation I don't recall seeing before.

The aroma is fragrant and tomato-y. A sip of the oil (sunflower)/sauce mixture echoes the tomato aroma. The flavor is mild, with a slight sweetness of ripe tomatoes. But I'm getting no heat.

The first fish out breaks apart somewhat easily. A bite of it reveals the meat is tender and moist, with a good sardine flavor. Porthos is consistent in that respect. The salt level is about right, just enough to not be missed. Still no heat, though.

The tomato sauce/oil combo is thick enough that it sticks to bites of fish dredged through it. It has the taste of a tomato sauce that has been seasoned, but not necessarily by hot pepper.

Clearing out more of the can, I find no pepper underneath the fish. Looking at the label, it just says "natural chilli flavoring". Hmmm... Well, that's kind of disappointing.

Main Takeaways

Flavorful tomato sauce, even if absent the promised heat
Good quality Portugese pilchards, nonetheless

If this can's lack of heat isn't an anomaly, I think I'll stick with the Nuri for spiced sardines in tomato sauce. I still like the Porthos Spiced Sardines, though.

Brand: Conservas Portugal Norte / Porthos
Description: Sardines in hot tomato sauce
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $6

Nuri Spiced Sardines in Tomato Sauce

DeenLeave a comment

I received these Nuri Spiced Sardines in Tomato Sauce as part of my recent order from International Loft. They would be a departure for me, as I had long resisted trying sardines packed in tomato sauce. It just didn't sound all that appealing. But the notion of a spiced tomato sauce piqued my curiosity. The results were surprising.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Only a fraction off because I initially thought it was only two huge pilchards. I quickly realized the can was deep, and it was a total of four. The tomato sauce looks thick, and that's a plus. It's not just a watery canned-type sauce.

There's not any real aroma from the can, the fish, the seasoning or otherwise. A sip of the oil/sauce is promising. There's a really delayed heat that doesn't hit until well into the back of the throat. But it wasn't overpowering.

I dug out the first fish, and it was tender enough to want to break apart. A taste of the fish was impressive. It was really impossible to get a sense of just the fish taste due to the tomato sauce, but everything was working in a positive way. I soon found a small red pepper, then a pickle, and finally a slice of carrot. The usual spiced suspects.

As I went, I dragged each morsel through the sauce, which was thick enough to adhere and give the complete experience to every bite. Really, really good. Everything in balance. I even got a spoon and finished every last bit of what was left in the can.

Main Takeaways

Nice tender, flavorful fish, even though larger than my preference
The sauce was really good, and combined with the spice even better
Definitely buying again

Reasonably priced in a 2-pack at Amazon.

Full Disclosure

I watched a few reviews of sardines in tomato sauce before trying these. The one that made me choose them was by Sardine Expedition. And even though she found them untenably salty, I took the chance that the can she tried was an anomaly. At 500 mg. sodium for a generous 4.4 oz. portion, they shouldn't have been a total salt bomb. And even though her review was 3 weeks ago, her can was expiration dated DEC2028 while mine was 2032, meaning they were canned apparently four years apart.

Brand: Pinhais/Nuri
Description: Spiced Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $6

Briosa Gourmet Spiced Sardines

DeenLeave a comment

These Briosa Gourmet Spiced Sardines came with my first order from International Loft. I had not encountered the brand before at any of my usual local or online sources. I was looking forward to giving them a try.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice looking fish. Packed silvery belly side up. Four stocky pilchards. The oil is tinted a coppery orange from the pepper. A few scales, but not enough to complain about. The can is a deep one, and the net weight is a generous 4.2 oz.

Not too much in the way of aroma coming from the can. A sip of the oil gives hints of the spices and a subtle amount of heat. They are packed in olive oil, which is apparently of good quality, even if not listed as EVOO. Packed in tight, too. It was difficult to get an entire fish out of the can intact. They were quite tender.

A first taste of the fish is impressive. Everything seems in balance, from the fresh sardine flavor to the spices, to the amount of salt. All spot on. Underneath, there's a pickle slice, the obligatory paper-thin sliver of carrot, and a chili pepper about two inches long. I taste clove, listed on the wrapper, but there doesn't seem to be one in the can. No bay leaf, but I didn't miss it.

If I had any complaint, it would be that the fish, while very tender, was a tad dry. But it didn't stop me from finishing the can.

Examining the wrapper, I see Briosa Gourmet is under the Conservas Portugal Norte umbrella, along with Porthos. Looking back at my review of the Porthos Spiced Sardines, I note they have quite a bit in common. These Briosa, however, were about 25% cheaper. I'd buy them again.

Brand: Conservas Portugal Norte / Briosa Gourmet
Description: Spiced sardines in olive oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $4-5

Maria Organic Spiced Small Sardines in EVOO

DeenLeave a comment

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.

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.

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 / Maria Organic
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