Sardines, decoded.

The beginner-friendly authority on tinned sardines: every notable tin explained, compared and priced, with no snobbery.

New here? Start with How to eat sardines, then buy one tin from Best sardines for beginners.

Start with a brand

• Fishwife — best for beginners, premium tier
• King Oscar — best for beginners, mid tier
• Wild Planet — best for health optimizers, mid tier
• Nuri (Conservas Pinhais) — best for collectors, premium tier
• Bela — best for beginners stepping up, mid-premium tier
• Matiz — best for all-round premium, mid-premium tier
• Season — best for skeptics and beginners, budget-mid tier
• Crown Prince — best for budget case buys, budget-mid tier
• Ramón Peña — best for collectors, premium tier
• Ortiz — best for purists, premium tier
• Patagonia Provisions — best for health optimizers, mid-premium tier
• Scout — best for Canadian buyers, mid-premium tier
• Wild Fish Cannery — best for collectors / US craft, premium tier

Why sardines, why now

Sardines are one of the most protein-dense, lowest-mercury fish you can buy, the premium end of the category is growing fast, and hundreds of small canneries mean there is always a better tin to find. This site tracks them all: what each brand does well, what each tin costs relative to its tier, and which ones are actually worth your money.

The Club

A monthly box of 3-4 tins, a pairing snack and a tasting card is coming. Join the waitlist and get the free Sardine Starter Kit.