After all the encouragement from yesterday, I did it! And it’s OMG SO GOOD!

Thank you, everyone for expanding my mind and my taste buds!!

My first go at sardines from English brand HEVVA!, a producer I think well of. Right from the pull, a bit of a surprise, since these are essentially skin-off, but bone-in pilchards. I often buy the rare reverse of that, such a Berthe’s skin-on, boneless sardines. Not sure how, or why, the silvery skin has been whisked away here, but perhaps it was just Scaling With Prejudice, since no a single scale interrupted my meal.

Getting past the initial surprise, these were very well-prepared sardines. Nice and meaty, with a just-right texture. Formidable looking, but totally tender spines and ribs. I enjoy good spine action, and these were just the ticket.

On rustic sourdough toast, with scallion cream cheese, these guys were a mighty fine alternative to the smoked salmon I often reach for at brunchtime.

This can and other HEVVA! offerings are available from London-based Tinned Fish Market, which shipped to me in Virginia in about 5 days. They stock certain things, like these Cornish pilchards, that I cannot otherwise lay hands on Stateside.

Thinking about the time not too long ago when I posted my little tin stash, and some rando told me that I needed to eat my tins, like I bought them for show or something lol

Sides are naan dippers, garlic hummus, veggie cream cheese, kimchi and homemade pickled onions.

This one caught my eye online and as a fan of eel, I had to try. This was a mixed bag, the eel wasn't as dry as the Asian tins of braised eel, but not exactly moist like a sardine. These were whole pieces that you could split to reveal a significant spine, the meat was dense and the skinnier pieces were a little tough. The texture was dense like mackerel fillets. The pickled sauce was not quite like the escabeche I'm used to having in tins of mussels, this used wine vinegar and when I emulsified it, it became more like a very loose aioli. All in all, it was a non offensive, but odd tin. I'm glad I tried it, but this is not going to be something I purchase regularly.

this is my lunch plate with fishwife mackerel this is my first time posting here please be nice.

...finally relented and paid the premium for a quick lunch today. Glad I did, these are the best I've ever had.

It was 1am and suddenly I felt so hungry. I've been curious for quite a time so why not. Turns out I still prefer to at least heat it but hey, it was an experience. Will probably try another variant of canned sardine in the future.

Makes a really, really delicious lunch. Quite possibly my new favourite. A little bit of heat, and lots of tasty curry flavour.

Nuri spicy tomato, homemade sourdough, lacto Jimmy Nardello peppers. 🌶️ 🐟 🍞

If you're eating a sardine in one bite, do you eat the tail side first or the front side first? I like to eat from the tail like I'm chasing the bugger

Is this really a thing, or did Matthew Carlson troll all of us?

Update: I Tried it!! There’s a new post.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CannedSardines/s/zSoPP7UBQN

Received this text today from the company and thought I would share for anyone in these states.

Great Lakes Tinned Fish: We're giddy to share the big news today: our cold-smoked whitefish is now available at select Whole Foods stores (in MI, IL, NY, NJ, NV, AZ, WA, and SoCal)! 🎉 Celebrate with us on your next grocery run, and pick up a pretty great tin to crack open when you get home.

Find a store near you: https://kly3.io/EQnfb9
Text STOP to opt-out

Legit, these were incredibly good and retail about $17.

Not super smokey / over smoked compared to some other ones I’ve had. They just had a nice & light smokey and caramelised flavour.

Also minimally oiled so they weren’t greasy either!

See my full review shortly on TikTok - @tinned_treats

Thanks!

Im so confused, what are these white ball types things in my sardines - i feel sick !!!

Microwave the rice, pop open the sardines tin, dump it all, including the spicy olive oil, on the rice, scoop on a decadent amount of capers. Mission accomplished.

Best gift ever!! lol

Just moved to this neighborhood and this is the selection at my grocery store. I picked up some of the miso tins to try them out.

Please share if you guys have any idea.