Description
Ingredients: Garfish (Belone belone) (70.8%), Olive Oil (26.5%), Chilli (1.7%), and 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.
nrobinson (verified owner) –
I was super excited for this tin as part of my journey in trying canned fish other than your standard grocery store fare. These were a delight
Appearance
Whole fish, less heads and tails. Looks like something between a sardine and a mackerel. Wide range of sizes in the tin… one was twice as big or larger than others.
Texture
Firm, almost dry but not quite. Holds together well. Toothsome, doesn’t fall apart easily when bitten into, kind of like chunked tuna.
Flavor and Eating Experience
Very rich and umami. Not a ton of spice flavor until you build up a bit of oil on the tongue… then you feel the capcasin and taste a bit of pepper. Not at all fishy. Not too spicy, though my tolerance is high. Spine gives a bit of crunch on the big ones but dissolves quickly. Pepper included has a nice jammy texture. Very nice on a cracked wheat cracker with dijon.
Delicious! These might become a staple in the pantry. The price isn’t too bad as well.
Hream McDan (verified owner) –
Liked these a little better than the regular Ati Manel garfish in olive oil, the spiced oil really brings a lot to the table. I’d say it would rank as a mild-medium heat that you notice but it definitely won’t make you sweat. Firm like non-salt-cured anchovies, texture very similar to the Patagonia anchovies (e.g. hybrid of sardine and canned tuna). They are more dry but again, not actually dry … didn’t mind the moisture level at all. Felt like the oil permeated these a little better than the non-spiced, but maybe it was just because I enjoyed the flavor more? Didn’t notice the crunchy spine as much this time but I can really appreciate the differences here between sardines and garfish.
Will I convert over to only eating garfish? No. But are these worth getting every other month for a change of pace? YES, absolutely. Pretty darn good and unique tin at a solid price.
Sarah Voorhees (verified owner) –
First time trying garfish and I am a fan! Opened the tin to 7 long skinny fish that were silvery and black and firmly intact. Fish was very firm and easily came out of the tin in one piece. Agree with other reviewers that the firmness/density of the fish could be interpreted as dryness but the fish is not actually dry tasting at all.
The flavor was great, there is something different about the fish flavor profile itself vs sardines, mackerel, etc that I cannot put into words. The garfish in this tin was absolutely a mild and not fishy flavor and was very delicious.
The heat from the pepper was minimal so I added some hot sauce myself and enjoyed on toasted bread. I will definitely order this tin again!
Matt (verified owner) –
I had a friend share this tin with me a few months back and I made a mental note to order one on my next RTG shipment. These were even better than I remember! Tin came with 6 gorgeous fish, I felt a little guilty eating these the fish were that pretty. Fish were nice and firm, not too dry and well seasoned. I prefer my fish to be on the slightly saltier side and I thought these were just right. Definitely the best tin of Garfish I’ve had and for the price they are a fantastic value.
Lunchtime Toothbrush (verified owner) –
An emminently enjoyable can. The garfish is firm, but rich enough to eat on its own or on a slice of baguette. The separate pieces are distinct and can be replated with out falling apart.
I already know I’ll have to reorder this tin. Between the distinct texture, clean umami flavor, and warming spicy oil it stands out as a very happy discovery from RTG. The cuts of fish themselves are striking, which makes it a great can to share with friends that deserve a treat. I’d be hard pressed not to pick these over other fish at the same price.
Peter Oneill (verified owner) –
Most beautiful fish I’ve seen in a tin. They were perfectly intact. Firm texture makes they easy to take out of the tin without breaking apart. Great texture and flavor. Will definitely be a regular order.
Mike Turpie (verified owner) –
My first garfish experience. Also first Ati Manel product. Cool packaging. No intense fishy aroma on opening the tin (a plus for me). The fish are beautifully shiny with intact skin in the orange oil. They are quite firm, and pleasantly salty. However, there is zero discernible heat. I eat the peri-peri at the bottom of the tin. Is it a dud? Since I was expecting heat, and disappointed, I proceed to put drops of Tabasco on each fish. Now we’re talking. I will get garfish again, and won’t hesitate to try other Ati Manel products. I agree with others that the elegant appearance of the fish adds a lot to the appeal. Love these fish.
UncleOscar (verified owner) –
Firm-texured fish with a mild, delicious flavor. Slightly spicy from the oil, but not too hot at all. I have really enjoyed the other garfish I’ve tried, and these are right up there. It currently seems to be the only spicy garfish available on RTG, and I almost always prefer the spicy/spiced version of sardines and the like. Overall, I really enjoyed these. Could be an all-time favorite for me.
A. Pearson (verified owner) –
I really like these tasty little fish darts.
On the opposite end of the texture spectrum from something like a sprat, which I think makes them an exceptional choice for eating directly out of the tin and are interesting enough to be part of a ‘cuterie spread. They’re on my “order again” list.
emosberger (verified owner) –
This is my second tin of garfish (first was the Conservas de Cambados) and I was rather happy with it. Cracking open the tin I was presented with a mild spicy aroma and four slender fish darts. The fish were very firm and the taste seems to be a sardine and mackerel crossover. The pepper heat was mild but lingered a bit. Only negative is that that the salt content was high for my palate and overpowered some of the other flavors. Had two of the garfish on their own then had the rest with some rice and chili crisp.
Overall a very satisfying lunch but a bit too salty for my liking, I’ll stick with the Cambados garfish in the future.
luke (verified owner) –
Very firm and clean tasting. Had a little tinned fish party last night and these were a real hit with the folks who had never partaken and were a little hesitant. But these went over better than most of the standard sardines. I got a chance to try them
Too and adored them for their robustness. These are rich and really accessible.
TinnedFishStoner (verified owner) –
These were very tubular, 4 shiny fish were in this tin along with a little pepper. I didn’t realize there was a pepper in here until I opened it (to be fair I didn’t read the ingredients lol) but I LOVE the little peppers in tins so it just made the experience better for me. These were very flavorful and satisfying, not fishy at all so I could see somebody who is a little more hesitant on sardines enjoying this since the spice and the pepper also give the garfish some flavor to make for a really fulfilling meal. These I will definitely get again at some point as I have discovered that I am a sucker for spiced tins and I would definitely recommend these to others.
Chris Therrien (verified owner) –
This was my first time trying garfish and I can say I’m now a fan.
The can held four large, lovely, shiny tubular mid-sections of fish with their heads and tails cut off. The olive oil they were packed in was pleasant, of nice quality and medium spicy. The fish were firm, yet moist. They filet easily with a shard knife and don’t fall apart. Some reviewers note the meat is similar to Patagonia White Anchovies and they’re correct. The meat is dark, and has a flavorsome, umami taste. Somewhat reminiscent of smoked trout, but without the smokiness.
I didn’t find that these fish needed any additional condiments, which is good, however this may be the saltiest fish out of a tin I’ve eaten. I’m fairly sure this applies to the fish and not the oil. Were they brined? Naturally salty? Who know? For this reason I’d recommend eating these with something to absorb the saltiness.
By chance, I had heated up some Palirria Gigantes White Beans in Tomato Sauce (found on RTG website) to enjoy as a side dish and found that the creamy beans in their sauce married perfectly with the fish and it’s oil. Eaten with a crusty baguette, it made for a delicious meal.
4.45 fish out of five 🐟🐟🐟🐟9/20
Irina (verified owner) –
This tin was my first time trying garfish and I will definitely be trying more in the future. My tin had four pieces, but I’m guessing that there is some size variation because some reviewers said their tins had seven and my tin was packed pretty tightly with just the four!
I tried these as recommended and had them on crackers in a “flight” compared against some sardines – the Pinhais spiced sardines and King Oscar cross-packed sprats. I would say that these are firmer and saltier than the sardines, with a flavor almost like a cross between sardines and anchovies. They are flavor-packed, salty, and umami while still maintaining a smooth and balanced flavor, and I would definitely recommend to someone looking to try garfish.