MSC sardines in extra virgin organic olive oil. Wild-caught with certification, with organic oil and salt.
A Banca da Sardinha calls its Portuguese tinned sardines with double certification MSC sardines in extra virgin organic olive oil. The fish comes from a fishery certified to MSC standards, while the olive oil and salt are from organic farming. Each can contains 120 g, of which 85 g is fish after draining.
For this variety, A Banca da Sardinha has brought two certifications together on one can. The blue MSC logo at the top left stands for the fish, while the PT-BIO-03 mark at the bottom indicates the Portuguese organic control body that inspects the oil and salt. The ingredients list is correspondingly short: 70 percent sardines of the species Sardina pilchardus, 29 percent extra virgin organic olive oil, and 1 percent organic salt. There is nothing else in the can, so no flavorings, thickeners, or preservatives.
How the sardines taste
Without spices, smoke, or tomato, the fish's natural flavor remains at the forefront. The sardines taste mildly of the sea, slightly salty and rounded. The olive oil adds a soft, fruity note and makes the flesh juicy.
With 6.7 g of fat and 19.2 g of protein per 100 g, this variety is slightly leaner than the classic sardine in olive oil from the same range. This makes it taste less oily in the mouth, while the fillets remain tender. The fish are packed in the can with their skin and central bones. The bones are softened by cooking and can be eaten or easily removed with a fork.
Anyone expecting a heavily spiced sardine will find this variety mild. For that, the sardines with Malagueta chili or the spicy tinned sardines with smoke flavor are better suited. The sardines are not suitable for people with a fish allergy. Those who prefer boneless fillets should choose the tinned sardines without skin and bones.
Ideas for the kitchen
The easiest way to serve the sardines is directly on a slice of toasted rustic bread. A few drops of lemon juice, coarsely ground pepper, and some flat-leaf parsley are enough. They pair well with a fresh white wine from Portugal or a dry cider.
For a salad, flake the fillets and mix them with white beans, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. The oil from the can, combined with a little vinegar, makes the dressing. The sardines also work well in a quick pasta with garlic, chili, and breadcrumbs. Add them only at the end so they do not break apart.
As an appetizer, the sardines can be blended with cream cheese, lemon zest, and chives to make a spreadable cream. On crackers or small slices of bread, it pairs well with an aperitif.
Our tip: Place the opened can without its paper sleeve briefly in the oven or on the grill until the oil begins to gently simmer. With a little lemon and fresh bread, it becomes a warm dish in just a few minutes.
What MSC and organic mean on this can
The MSC seal from the Marine Stewardship Council identifies fish from fisheries that are independently audited. The condition of the stock, the impact on the ecosystem, and the management of the fishery are assessed. Every stage from catch to can must be certified for the logo to appear on the packaging.
A fish itself cannot carry an organic seal. Under EU organic law, this only applies to farmed fish, not to wild-caught fish from the open sea. Therefore, the organic designation here refers to the extra virgin olive oil and the salt. Both ingredients come from certified organic farming.
Store the unopened can in a cool, dry place. After opening, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat them within two days.
The canning brand behind the can
A Banca da Sardinha is a canning brand from Mediterran Food & Beverage Lda. in Portugal. It is known for cans wrapped in colored paper, with each variety featuring its own design. This edition has light blue paper with a sardine standing as a saintly figure with a crown on a cloud, holding an olive branch.
At genussland, you will find all the cans from the brand, including varieties with lemon, oregano, paprika, and escabeche. The sardine gift set makes an excellent gift. Our selection of sardines from Portugal showcases more cans from the Atlantic.
Three ingredients, two certifications, and a can that looks good even when sealed.
