How to Host Your Own Tinned Fish Tasting

July 30, 2024

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I hated sardines.
So I decided to eat 17 tins of them.

Makes sense, right?

I’ve always believed in pushing culinary boundaries. And let me tell you, when it comes to sardines, I was far outside my comfort zone. You see, in reality, I hated sardines. However, during my pregnancy, I decided to confront my aversion because sardines are high in omega-3s. Plus, comparative tastings are one of my favorite foodie things to do!

The result? An unforgettable comparative tinned fish tasting and a newfound love appreciation for the little fishies. 

My Sardine Tasting

I curated 17 different tinned sardines from several brands, including Porthos, Espinaler, Matiz, Romón Peña, and more (Fishwife is another favorite of mine – their packaging is especially beautiful!) Sourcing from Amazon (check out my shopping list here) and Bernal Cutlery (highly recommended if you’re in SF), I organized the tins into these 5 categories: 

  1. Olive oil
  2. Lemon
  3. Smoked
  4. Spicy
  5. Tomato sauce
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Then, the tasting began! With my husband Randy and brave in-laws by my side, we opened all 17 tins and began to sample.

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avital and randy behind tins of sardines
couple sampling tinned fish during comparative tasting

We paired the sardines with crackers, pickled onions, and, of course, being the certified water sommelier that I am, Gerolsteiner (a sparkling water) and Lurisia (a natural spring water). The freshness of Gerolsteiner was perfectly paired with the rich fish! 

After tasting all 17 tins and a sofishticated discussion, we picked our favorites in each category:

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Comparative tastings are one of my favorite things to do, and this sardine tasting was no exception. It was such a fun way gather with my family and would also be great as a team activity. 

Ready to dive into the world of tinned fish yourself? Here’s how:

How to Host Your Own Tinned Fish Tasting

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01: Curate Your Selection

Choose a variety of tinned fish to compare. My top picks are available on my Amazon storefront. Look for high quality brands, like Fishwife. Think about categories and choose 2-4 tins in each category.

 

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02: Choose Your Pairings

Pair with crusty bread or crackers. You can also add some other strong flavor elements, like pickled onions or olives. And don’t forget the drinks! A sparkling water, sherry, or simple sauvignon blanc are all great options.

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03: Consider Tasting Order

Start with milder flavors, like olive oil and lemon, and work your way up to the more intense ones, like spicy and tomato. This allows your palate to adjust and appreciate each unique taste.

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04: Take Notes

Jot down your impressions of each fish. Notice the texture, flavor, and how it pairs with different accompaniments. Download our tasting notes template to get started.

 

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05: Mix & Match

Experiment with different pairings. Try sardines with a sip of sparkling water to see how that changes the flavor. Add a squeeze of lemon, combine with an olive, or a crunchy dill pickle. The world is your (smoked) oyster!

Intrigued by the world of comparative tastings but don’t want to host it yourself? Book a tasting with Avital, like our water tasting or a custom tasting event tailored to your preferences. 


Avital Ungar
Founder & Owner

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