Description
Ingredients: Lightly-smoked sardines, vegetable oil, red pepper or spicy aroma, salt.
The terms “spiced” and “spicy” are used pretty much interchangeably in the tinned fish world, to mean two different things: with a hot pepper (or hot pepper flavor), and with cloves/bay/carrot/hot pepper. There are many examples of both terms being used to mean both things.
We are so frustrated by how widespread this confusing inconsistent usage is that we’ve gone through our entire product line to correct the incorrect ones such that our description of “spiced” or “spicy” will always indicate which it really is, regardless of the packaging. “Spicy” = with hot pepper flavor. “Spiced” = with the cloves/bay/carrot/hot pepper flavors.
Dan Sherbon (verified owner) –
These maybe the best bang for your buck ever. I was greeted with 4 m/l dines . The oil was fine. Nothing super smooth but not your normal beechcliff sunflower oil. A decent daily driver. No noticeable scales, pretty firm flesh, a tad on the softer side. Bones Barely noticeable. Nice medium spice, presentation not great but you’d expect that. These are a great fish, nothing wrong with them
Anne Martin (verified owner) –
I found 5 largish sardines in a flavored oil with just a bit of heat. There were no discernible scales and the flesh was firm. The largest one simply fell in two when I went to pick it up. I enjoyed these with thinly sliced cheese, a few olives, mustard, fresh sliced tomatoes and small pieces of toast. It was a worthy dinner with an ice cold lager. I would buy these again. The can was easy to open but it was difficult to remove the lid completely without leaving sharp edges. I would have kept it otherwise for the cool graphics.
Brian H. (verified owner) –
These sardines are a solid value. Spice level is about average for the spicy sardines I’ve had. Didn’t notice any scales. Had them out of the can with saltines and wished I had a second one when I was finished. I’ll be buying these again.
Christopher Therrien (verified owner) –
These Alshark sardines are a nice find.
I like the bright yellow can and graphics. The pull tab on the tin is hard to get started, just go slow and easy and the top should open eventually. Oddly enough, the top doesn’t come completely off as it’s attached at the end. I guess this may be a safety issue, to keep the lid on its base so a person running on the beach in bare feet wouldn’t slice a toe.
There were five nice-sized fish in the tin. The oil they were packed in was medium spicy, not particularly hot, but it had a pleasant lingering heat. The fish were semi-firm in that they fell apart easily. Somewhat squishy though not fishy. The fish also had a few scales, though not excessive. I find Moroccan sardines can be a bit scaly at times.
The sardines were lightly smoked. I imagine a splash of Salsa Espinaler would give them a great boost in flavor. The spicy oil with the Espinaler . . mmm!
With the one tin I made a couple of sandwiches: Dijon, pickled red shallots, sardines, and tossed arugula on lightly toasted whole wheat toast.
4.5 fishies out of five 🐟🐟🐟🐟 1/2