Briosa-263

 BRIOSA: SKINLESS & BONELESS IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:

Calories- 
Fat- 
Protein- 
Sodium- 
Cholesterol- 


PRODUCT OF:
Portugal


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines,





OVERALL:

A faint fish tomato aroma upon opening. Four Sardines to the tin. Fish possess a medium texture. The flavor of the tomato sauce slowly creeps in and creeps out as fast as it appeared... The fish are on the dry side. No strong flavors or aftertaste. 

3 Sardines

LA SIRENA- 262

 

LA SIRENA: IN SPICY TOMATO SAUCE WITH JALAPENO

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
serv. size 3
Calories- 50
Fat- 2g
Protein- 6g
Sodium- 250
Cholesterol- 35mg


PRODUCT OF:
Thailand


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Water, Tomato Paste, Green Jalapenos, Chili, Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Guar Gum, and Paprika





OVERALL:

A faint tomato and fish aroma upon popping. Two slices of pepper are present. Three plump to the can. A medium textured fish, with mild flavors, no overpowering fish flavor or sauce. The heat from the peppers gradually hits you followed by the flavor of the tomato sauce. No lingering flavors, but the heat from the peppers do linger afterward. A subtle heat. Fish holds their shape well, not a spiny fish. I would eat again. 3 1/2 Sardines

LA SIRENA

Master- 258

 

MASTER: IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Cal- 180
Protein- 19g
Total Fat- 8g
Sat Fat- 4.5g
Cholesterol- 25mg
Sodium- 570mg


PRODUCT OF:
Philippines

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Water, Tomato Paste, Modified Starch, Iodized Salt, Sugar, Garlic, Onion

PRICE:

OVERALL:

A mild deep tomato aroma upon opening. Four fish to the tin. A medium consistency to the sauce. A lovely textured fish, medium textured. Not spiny, no strong fish flavor or after. A mild sauce. The first fish was a bit on the plain side. By the second fish, I could detect subtle notes of garlic. A hint of sweetness is detected on the last bite. would eat again. 4  Sardines

Dorita-249

DORITA: IN TOMATO

APPEARANCE:

 

NUTRITION: 

Calories- 221kca

Total Fat- 15g

Sodium- 1g

Protein- 21g

PRODUCT OF:

Portugal

INGREDIENTS:

Sardines, Water, tomato concentrate, sunflower oil, onion, salt, sugar and flavour

OVERALL:

A faint tomato aroma upon opening. Three plump fish to the tin. A mild tomato sauce, not sour. The sauce does not overpower the fish. No strong flavors or aftertaste. Not a spiny fish. The sauce has a nice medium consistency to it. I would eat again. 3 1/2 sardines. 

1. DORITA- SPICED IN TOMATO SAUCE
2. DORITA- IN TOMATO SAUCE
3. DORITA- IN VEGETABLE OIL

Vital Choice -245

VITAL CHOICE: IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

 NUTRITION: 

Calories- 170

Sodium- 250g

Protein- 20g

Cholesterol- 85mg

PRODUCT OF:

Portugal

INGREDIENTS:

Organic tomato paste, water, organic extra virgin olive oil, natural sea salt

OVERALL:

A subtle, almost undetectable tomato aroma upon opening. Three plump fish to the tin. A firm-textured fish, A mild tasting sauce, not bitter or sour. Salt is prominent. No fishy taste or after. A clean-tasting fish. A roe-filled fish. Roe is not gritty or noticeable. A decent tin alone, Add some hot sauce or fresh peppers, would be great with this tin. 

4 1/2 Sardines 

1. VITAL CHOICE
2. VITAL CHOICE: IN WATER 2022
3. VITAL CHOICE: IN TOMATO SAUCE 2022

Pueblo Lindo- 187

PUEBLO LINDO: IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:

serv. about 8

Calories-50
Fat Cal- 10
Total Fat- 1g
Sat Fat-0g

Protein- 8G

Cholesterol- 35MG

Sodium- 260mg

PRODUCT OF: 

Vietnam

INGREDIENTS:

Sardines, Water, Tomato Paste, Corn Starch, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Salt. Paprika

PRICE:
1.00

OVERALL:

A watery, fish aroma upon opening. Six large fish to the tin. A soft textured fish... almost to the point of being mushy quality. A bland fish; A watery consistency to the sauce. Not a spiny fish. May would be better in a dish of sorts. 1 Sardine.

Mega -154

MEGA: IN TOMATO SAUCE WITH CHILI

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Calories- 50
Total fat- 2g
Cholesterol- 21mg
Sodium- 300mg
Sugar- 1g
Protein- 6g

PRODUCT OF:
Philippines


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Tomato Paste, Iodized Salt, Spices, Chili


PRICE:
.89


OVERALL:
A sweet tomato aroma upon opening. Three plump fish to the can. A firm-textured fish, a nice heat is present, heat is impressive. Sardines do have a fish taste and after. Tomato sauce is a bit thin but does not lack flavor. I may eat again. not alone. 1 1/2 Sardines.

MEGA: HOT, SPANISH STYLE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Calories- 90
Total fat- 4g
Cholesterol- 25mg
Sodium- 320mg
Sugar- 1g
Protein- 11g

PRODUCT OF:
Philippines


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Vegetable Oil, Carrot, Iodized Salt, Spices




PRICE:
.89

OVERALL:
No aroma upon opening. Seven fish to the tin. a medium-textured fish, a flavorful fish. No strong taste or after. Not a spiny fish. Has almost a sweet undertones to it. I would eat again. 2 sardines.

Sardinmastarens -148

SARDINMASTARENS: IN RAPESEED OIL

APPEARENCE:

NUTRITION:
Energi- 356
kcal/1473 kj
Protein- 17g
Fat- 32g



PRODUCT OF:
Sweden


INGREDIENTS:
Bristlings, Rapeseed, Salt




PRICE:
4.99

OVER ALL:
(I love the image cover, fake beard and all. It's like Gorton fisherman's, bourbon drinking, "i'll cut you" I don't give a damn if you eat my fish attitude, uncle)
A smokey oil aroma upon opening. Fourteen fish to the tin. Smoke flavor hits you on first bite, followed by a bit of saltiness. A medium textured fish; holds it's shape well while removing from tin. The oil does not overpower the fish; the mixed with the smoke flavor, adds a hint of sweetness. no strong fish taste or after. A good little fish. 5 Sardines

SARDINMASTARENS: IN TOMATO

APPEARENCE:

                          
NUTRITION:
Energi- 176
kcal/650 kj
Protein- 17g
Fat- 10g


PRODUCT OF:
Sweden


INGREDIENTS:
Bristlings, Water, Tomato Paste, Socker, Salt, Acidty Regulator E 260, Spices




PRICE:
4.99

OVER ALL:
A strong tomato aroma upon opening. Thirteen fish to the tin. A medium textured fish, holds it's shape well. A mild tasting fish, as well as a mild tomato sauce. Sauce does not over power the fish, a hint of sweetness to the sauce. No strong taste or after. I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines

Galil- 146

GALIL: IN TOMATO

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving size per container: 1

Calories-
Total Fat-
Cholesterol-
Sodium-
Protein-


PRODUCT OF:
Morocco


INGREDIENTS:



PRICE:

OVER ALL:
A very faint tomato aroma upon opening. Two large fish to the tin. Tomato sauce is a little watery in thickness; not a flavorful sauce. A very meaty fish, scales are present; not noticeable. No strong fish taste or after. Not a spiny fish, no roe detected. Would eat again. 4 1?2 Sardines.

GALIL: IN OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving size per container: 1

Calories- 196
Total Fat- 12g
Cholesterol- 35mg..
Sodium- 360mg
Protein- 24g


PRODUCT OF:
Morocco


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Olive Oil, Salt



PRICE:

OVER ALL:

 A faint sardine and oil aroma upon opening. Three large fish to the tin. A very tightly packed tin of fiash. Kudos to the packer. A very meaty fish, no strong taste or after. Salt is detectable in this tin, but not overpowering. Patches of scales are present; not noticeable while eating. not a spiny fish. I would eat again. 5 Sardines.

GALIL: IN HOT CHILI

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving size per container: 1

Calories- 196
Total Fat- 12g
Cholesterol- 35 mg
Sodium- 360 mg
Protein- 24g


PRODUCT OF:
Morocco


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Vegetable Oil, Hot Chili, Salt



PRICE:

OVER ALL:
A sardine and oil aroma upon opening. Two large, scaled fish to the tin. A firm textured fish. Chili flavor is detected before I even close my mouth. A very nice heat from the chili. A roe filled fish; roe not gritty. Scales not noticeable. Two chili pods to the tin. Not a spiny fish. A nice heat after taste. I would eat again. 5 Sardines

GALIL: IN VEGETABLE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving size per container: 1

Calories- 196
Total Fat- 12g
Cholesterol- 35 mg
Sodium- 360 mg
Protein- 24g


PRODUCT OF:
Morocco


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Vegetable Oil, Salt



PRICE:

OVER ALL:
Sardine and oil aroma upon opening. Three medium sised fish to the tin. A good textured fish; holds it's shape well. Scales and roe not detectable. No fishy taste or after. A clean tasting fish. Oil is mild and does not overpower the fish. 4 1/2 Sardines.

Mi Siembra- 145

MI SIEMBRA: IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving size per container: 3

Calories- 58
Total Fat- 0.6g
Cholesterol- 0.6mg
Sodium- 456mg
Protein- 13.ig


PRODUCT OF:
Thailand


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Tomato Paste, Water, Salt



PRICE:
.89

OVER ALL:
A faint tomato aroma upon opening. Three large fish to the tin. A soft textured fish. Sauce has a stew flavor to it. No strong fish taste or after. Almost a bland tasting fish; ther's a battle between sour and bitter in your mouth , then it's gone as quick as they began to spar. These guys need to be on rice or toast perhaps. I give these guys two sardines.

Kung Gustaf- 139

KUNG GUSTAF: IN TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:




PRODUCT OF:
Sweden. Processed in Poland


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Water, Tomato Puree, Rapeseed Oil, Salt



PRICE:

OVER ALL:
Tomato aroma hits you on opening. Nine fish to the tin. A tart tomato flavor hits you on first bite; flavor disperses as quick as it hits. Fish breaks as removing from tin. A mild tasting fish. A juicy fish, almost a watery flavor. No strong taste or after, this tin really grew on me as I engulfed it. This tin would greatly benefit from some heat, (chilli, etc.) I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines

New for KO

 King Oscar is rumored to come out with even more varieties of sardines this year. King Oscar has changed ownership as of September  2014. I'm curious to see if any changes do occur. I was included in their taste test project last year. One of their new tins for 2014 was the Sardines in zesty tomato sauce; it is available in some markets now. This tomato sauce is thicker than its traditional tomato sauce blend. The sauce also has more flavor than the traditional. I'll attempt to add the can later this year for a full review. As good as the zesty tomato sauce was, I think if they added a chili pod or two to the tin, it would really set this tin off. Maybe for 2015!?

Traditional tomato sauce 

Zesty. Much thicker sauce.

The next sample I received was their mackerel. It was large pieces of white meat. The instructions said to taste test them in any way you liked. I, as always, try them straight from the tin. These are not sardines. I can see these in a spread, dip, sandwich, or other dish. Straight from the tin, for me, no. The flavor is there. They would be better not eaten alone in my preference. 

They are equipped with an easy-peel lid. When asked my dislikes of this tin, I disliked the easy-peel system (as I've mentioned on other sardine posts). It seems KO won the silver award at the Can Maker magazine "2014 Cans of the Year" competition for this design. The reason I'm not a fan of this design is that Season sardines use this design also. While hiking, I was a little rough with my pack while carrying said sardines, the lid did not withstand the impact, and it leaked out the oil into my pack. For at-home use or older or people with restrictions, this is probably a good thing. If you're an outdoorsman of any type and carry along tins, I would choose carefully. 

I'm a fan of aging sardines. King Oscar is a good brand to age, and it can readily be found at almost every supermarket chain. I wonder if the foil lid would allow such aging? The foil lid is said to be added on with the same canning process as the metal lids. I don't know. I hope they leave their sardine tins alone. Of course, I'm still nostalgic for the can keys.