One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

I know, I know.... You have been trying to renovate your diet and in doing so, dying to incorporate sardines into your newer & healthier lifestyle for 2009. We all know they are one of the most overlooked and under-eaten healthy foods around (check out #8 on that list!). But with so many choices, what is a sardine neophyte to do? Well, you do what I did probably, start with Google. First, what are sardines exactly and which taste best? As always, Wikipedia is a great place to find the "what" answers, but the more subtle issues, like taste, take a little more research. Well, below is a summary of the list I found on Chowhound.com (from two seperate posts, post #1 here and post #2 also) regarding a rather extensive tasting of sardines. The comments were amazingly thorough and people seemed very passionate about these little fish. This list is in order from best tasting to "yuck, I never want to eat that again!". From what I read, after #15 the quality is really downhill. Also, the #1 on this list is far and above the best. Now, my personal experience (although much more limited) confirms #1 as super tasty. The Angelo Parodi sardines are amazingly good and not "sardine-like or fishy"! The best news is that if you live in Seattle, we have an importer that gets three variations of this brand and at a reasonable price. Buy them by the case and ask for another 10% off! Just drive on down to Big John's PFI (Pacific Food Importers is not easy to find, so consult a map and drive to the back of the basement of this brick building!) Personally, I like the ones in olive oil and the ones in olive oil with a chili pepper. This is not chili sauce like many others, it is an actual chili pepper that gives the sardines a little zing. One other good hint I learned reading this, no matter how bad the sardines are, a little Siracha sauce makes them all taste good! Now, go get yourself some Omega-3's! (prices below are approximate, I updated price on #1 refelcting cost from PFI in case quantity)

1. Angelo Parodi Sardine Portoghesi all’olio di olivo - – Portugal/Italy - $2.66
2. Gallego sardines in olive oil - Spain - $2. 99
3. Idamar Portuguese Sardines in olive oil - Portugal - $2. 25
4. Gonsalves Sardines in olive oil - –Portugal - $1.99
5. Da Morgada Sardines in Pure Olive Oil - Portugal - $3. 99
6. Albo Sardines in Olive oil –- Spain - $4.99
7. King Oscar Sardines Mediterranean style –- Norway, packed in Poland - $2.99
8. Yankee Clipper lightly smoked sardines in soybean oil –- Morocco - $2.49
9. King Oscar Extra Small Sardines in fish oil 2 layers -– Norway - $2.99
10. BELA-Olhão lightly smoked in cayenne pepper extra virgin olive oil - Portugal - $1. 75
11. Beach Cliff Sardines in soybean oil –- USA / Canada - $.69
12. Brunswick Sardines in Spring Water No Salt Added –- Canada - $1.19
13. Madrigal spiced sardines in vegetable oil - –Morocco - $1.59
14. Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil - –Canada - $1.19
    
15. King Oscar Extra Small Brisling Sardines in purest virgin olive oil –- Norway - $2.99
16. King Oscar tiny tots Sardines in olive oil two layers –- Norway - $2.99
17. Crown Prince One Layer Sardines in soy bean oil no Salt - Scotland - $1. 85
18. Palacio Real Small Sardines in Olive oil (slightly smoked) –- Spain - $2.99
19. King Oscar Sardines in pure spring water -– Norway - $2.99
20. BUMBLE BEE Sardines in Water – Poland - $.89
21. Mega Sardines in tomato sauce with chili – -The Philippines - $.79
22. Brunswick Sardines in Mustard Sauce – Canada - $1.19
23. Bumble Bee Sardines in Mustard –Poland - $.89
24. Yankee Clipper lightly smoked sardines in tomato sauce –Morocco - $2.49
25. Yankee Clipper lightly smoked sardines in mustard sauce –Morocco - $2.49
26. King Oscar Sardines in tomato –Norway - $2.99
27. Brunswick Sardines in Mustard and Dill Sauce –Canada - $1.19
28. King Oscar Skinless & boneless Sardines in olive oil –Morocco - $2.99
29. Gourmet Award lightly smoked sardines in tomato sauce –Morocco - $1.89
30. Brunswick Sardines in tomato & basil Sauce – Canada - $1.19