I have been scrounging around the internet for some time (sardines .com, for instance) in search of the finest canned sardines, and I have tasted at least 20-30 different brands. Some of my favorites were the french ones, especially those from Brittany, where one can find all manner of little stores with great selections of sardines and other canned fish.
But these, which I first tasted in Europe, have a special "steaky" quality that I love -- dense, chewy texture that is deeply satisfying. Nothing mushy about these -- they may even remind you of a tuna steak. When you open the can, you will see that they are different from what most Americans are used to, as there are usually only three sardines to a can, and are twice as thick as those offered by, say, Bumble Bee. These sardines have power and substance! Eating these is about as close as you'll come to having grilled, fresh sardines in Basque Country with garlic and parsley (I am getting really hungry).
Toast up that baguette, add a squirt of lemon, a dash of salt and pepper, and you've got all the lunch you could ever want -- especially when hiking or in a hurry. These sardines will never let you down. My wife, who is generally less enthusiastic about sardines than I am, is ready to wolf these.
And of course it is important to remind everyone that these noble fish have a long shelf life. Buy lots of them now and use them to barter for gasoline, ammunition, water filters , propane, and whatever else you may need during the apocalypse/zombie invasion/economic collapse. But chances are you will just keep them for yourself.
I am not, but any stretch of the imagination, a 'sardine connoisseur', but I've certainly eaten my share of them over the years. A great 'snack in a can' to pack along on a hiking or fishing trip. My first impression was the high quality and 'meatiness' of these sardines. Those who are used to American-style sardines are in for a pleasant surprise. Matiz are usually only 3 to a tin, but they're big, plump fish. And the taste is terrific. The only downside, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5, is the price. Nearly $19 dollars (as of 7/16/16) for 5 tins of sardines is a bit much. On the plus side, you get what you pay for. Popular American brands (Chicken of the Sea, Port Clyde, etc.) measure out at 3.75 ounces, and nearly cooked into mush, while Matiz gives you over 4 ounces, and the fish have a firmer texture.
I relied on several other Amazon reviews to determine which sardines to order so I thought I'd contribute my own thoughts. I was specifically looking for Portuguese sardines, but there were so many positive comments on these that I decided to try. I was not disappointed! These are very tasty - much more so than the regular brands you see in big box groceries (Crown Prince etc.). Very tightly packed and large sardines as other reviewers have mentioned. Nice smoky flavor and good quality olive oil. I gave 4 instead of 5 stars just based on price as they are not the most economical buy and are comparable in price to Portuguese sardines that you can buy in health food stores or higher end grocery stores. But either way, based on taste I would highly recommend.
Wow. As much as the wild planets are better than the grocery store generics, these are better than WP by that much. it's going to be hard to go back. Mine had a long expiration of 12/22. Great flavor and texture. As all brands i like to remove the intestine line(i think) that runs directly under the spine which gives a noticeable improvement in taste. Maybe psychosomatic but id bet not. Im definitely going to try other high end euro style. After thinking about it my dad brought some olive oil home from spain once and it was amazing. Maybe thats what helps flavor so much. The fish are larger and might be slightly different species as well, not sure, but they do look different.
and I love these sardines. I have loved sardines since I was a kid and my favorite brand was Moosebeck. However, I have not been able to find these for years, assuming the company went out of business, and like others, I have tried a variety of brands in my quest for a suitable replacement. After much frustration and wasted funds for some of the brands I could not even finshished eating, I have found sardines that remind me of why i have always loved them. Matiz's sardines are mild and flavorful and given you a taste of why sardines can make an enjoyable meal. These sardines need little work to make them something you want to devour. I usually add fresh lemon, red onions or shallots, a little mayo for binding, a lovely few slices of tomato and I have the perfect sandwich, or cracker snack, ala tuna fish sandwich. I will definitely purchase again.
Feature Product
- Wild, sustainably harvested sardines packed in Spanish olive oil in the traditional style, skin-on bone-in
- Spanish Sardines are great for tapas - Exceptional flavor and plump, tender texture
- Enjoy straight from the can, or tossed with veggies, pasta, and a touch of fresh lemon
- A portable, protein-rich snack
- Gluten free, GMO free
Description
Our Matiz Gallego sardines are harvested off the coast of Galicia, known for its exceptional seafood. Traditional methods are used that respect the biological cycles of the species, as well as avoiding harm to other sea creatures. Lights are used to attract schools of sardines to the surface, where small nets await to bring them aboard the fishing vessel.
Oily, rich in flavor and more expensive than other brands, these sardines get our bid for being a great product. Nicely packed, we eat every last drop from the cans and usually just on crackers. We will be branching out to make a pasta dish in the near future, as we think the flavor in these will hold up well. We are very pleased, but will be looking to find better prices for purchases in the future - if possible!
Ok, so the urge to eat well and seek out better foods prepared relatively naturally, I am enjoying a journey through great Portuguese and spanish canned seafood...starting with sardines.
Never been a huge Sardine eater, frankly I considered it "Only if there's nothing else food". Not any more.
This is my first Spanish Sardine, and it is very good indeed. Three beautiful plump sardines in clear, clean Spanish olive oil. Best olive oil I've encountered (and Portuguese is great) and it carried the sardines as fresh and delicious, as they should be. No odors, no odd tatses. Once tasted, I ate them with a little cream cheese ans sweet onion, on a sliced baguette, with Fluer de sel and pepper, and a squirt of lemon juice.
Seventh Heaven.
And as far as this vendor goes, good price for 5 can, delivered super quick and in great condition. Thanks
Delish, these sardines do remind me of Tuna a bit in the flavor profile when compared to sardines caught from other parts of the world. I normally eat a can of sardines or kippered herring with some coffee for my breakfast. This brand is by far one of the better tasting, and the smell not as off-putting as some other brands... To be honest, the smell makes me hungry, usually, people hate the smell though.
Very tasty, more so than the sardines that I buy in the local grocery store. This brand is not available there. I prepare it the usual way we locals from Hawaii do. With shoyu (soy sauce) and onions, over rice or with poi. Yummy! This is pretty much the best sardines I have tasted.
Bought one can to try them out. Delicious in a tomatoes, onions, olive oil spaghetti recipe my wife made. I think they'd be great all alone over saltines too. Just ordered a two pack. You'd never know there were bones in these. They're so soft they just seem to disappear.
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