Jesse Tree Sardines in Olive Oil
A Keen Sardine
Originally Published: Monday, February 20, 2023
Specs
Succint.Preamble
Today’s offering from Jesse Tree Fine Foods is an excellent product that provides a quintessential sardine experience at an extremely reasonable price. From what I can find on their website, Jesse Tree is a Canadian based importer that selects European products they like and redistributes them in North America. Because they rebrand the product under their own packaging, I’m unable to find the actual manufacturer of the product. I do know that the product’s origins are Portuguese, as stated on the box.
This is not my first time trying a Jesse Tree product, but it is my first time trying this particular offering. The packaging claims that the contents are wild caught and hand packed. This is not an unreasonable claim as many canned fish products are hand packed even in the age of mechanized automation, especially since the rules behind what products can legally be advertised as “hand packed” is arbitrary at best. Packing methodology is therefore taken out of consideration during any rating processes.
The most recognisable shape in canned seafood.First Impressions
With the preamble over I can gladly say that this is a great product. This is a mid-priced can at 5 Canuckbucks, but it actually offers decent value since they stuff 120 grams into each can. Most sardine cans are packaged at a wet weight of around 100 grams. The drained weight is 90 grams per can, but we will get to why you should ignore the drained weight in a bit.
The can itself is an unmistakable rectangular sardine container with pull-ring. The outer box is attractive enough and keeps the can safe during transit. It is no-frills but not barren. I am a fan of packaging that gives you all the information you need about the product (it also makes research easier when writing about the product).
There is four plump fillets in my can. The skin glistened with a reflective silver sheen enhanced by the olive oil covering each piece. The liquid has a characteristic amber hue about it. Overall, there were no strong notes on the nose after opening the can. If you really stick your nose up to the fillets you can smell some light, briny fishy notes along with a whiff of olive oil.
A side of puffy pastry buns. The light sweetness pairs well with the buttery savoriness from the sardines.Tasting Time
The first taste of this sardine is highly enjoyable. There is a good amount of saltiness in the marinade that accentuates the oceanic flavours in the fillet. There is a bit of nuttiness and creaminess in the fish that is undoubtedly aided by the olive oil content. Some fruit and butter notes finish off the experience and lingers in the mouth with a pleasant coverage. There is a bit of the usual metal in the sardine, but it’s quite subtle and doesn’t leave me feeling like I am sucking on nickels.
The fillets are a bit on the fragile side, but still manages to hold their shape when stabbed mindlessly with a fork. The texture in the mouth is excellent. The fish remained tender but firm. There is no grittiness or stringiness. The creaminess in the flavour also carries through in the texture as some parts of the fillet feel like they melt in the mouth. There are occasionally tiny bones in the fillet that dissolve instantly when consumed.
Where this product really excels is its excellent use of salinity and olive oil to improve the mouth feel and finish. Many canned products are either too salty or not salty enough, but I found this product to have captured a perfect amount of punch in the salt level that allows the product to shine without putting me into an early grave. The oil soaks up a lot of the flavour from the fish and preserves it in the can, while softening the bitter and pungent elements so they don’t invade your senses.
This can did not last long.Don’t drain the can because the leftover pool of oily brine at the bottom of the can is an excellent dip for your bread. It contains all of the salty, briny, fishy, and savoury essences absorbed during the canning process and is as enjoyable as the fish itself. If you’re making a salad or cooking with the product, replace a part of the fat content in your prep with the can’s contents instead.
Verdict
This is a great product for anyone who wishes to try a more premium canned seafood without breaking the bank, and certainly delivers for the price bracket. It would fit perfectly on any charcuterie board and would not feel out of place in a salad or sandwich. It’s a bit subtler versus some other products and would be a good foray into the world of canned seafood for the fish-wary.
If there is one (soft) negative of the product is that it is extremely traditional and does not offer an adventurous experience for the gourmand, but not every experience needs to be an adventure.