Background: from https://josegourmet.com/en a Portuguese company that has the motto “We preserve memory and tradition” and state they are “in between those who produce quality products and those who enjoy them”… “to publicise, add value, promote new social and commercial relationships, and new social and eating habits between people and products.”
They have very cool packaging and present their product in a stylish way
I bought these in Lisbon at the A Vida Portuguesa who have an excellent “fish preserves” section. Check out : https://www.avidaportuguesa.com/en/store/gourmet
The packaging is characteristically cool. Light cardboard with a plain tin inside. The box has cool artwork (illustration by Maria Teresa Rangel) and labelling.
Ingredients:
Sardines, Brava sauce (Rapeseed oil, EV Olive oil, pepper, garlic, chilli, water, vinegar, starch, mustard, lemon juice, antioxidant, chilli extract, salt.
On opening the tin a vibrant red-orange sauce containing pepper flakes covers the sardines which are small to medium fish, head and tail removed.
The sauce is “split” in an attractive way and is not watery but looks like a rich emulsion. The fish are firm fleshed and doesn’t fall apart when lifted.
The sardine flavour is subtle. Not “fishy” or oily but rich and rounded.
The sardines are firm to bite the sauce is not spicy but has a very subtle heat and is balanced between the mustard, oil and acids.
Overall impression:
A superior and gourmet product. Excellent eaten with warm bread (hot buttered toast is perfect) or with boiled potatoes.
The sauce deliscious is worth the price alone.
8/10.
Price (2024): around €4
Available only in Europe.
Survival Rations 