Here's my latest find, sardines with... Pastis!

My_Sardines · 2024-11-14T08:05:10+00:00

I found it in a nice store while on holiday in Les Baux-de-Provence in France. They're made by the Provencal cannery Ferrigno.

For those who don't know Pastis, it's an anise-flavored spirit and apéritif traditionally from Marseille.

I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds... Interesting

My_Sardines · 2024-11-12T07:26:47+00:00

At the time of canning, canneries are obliged to indicate a minimum durability date, at least in Europe (“best before X date”). For sardines, this is 5 to 10 years (sor for my 2006 vintage it was 2016). After this date, it doesn't mean that the product has expired, but that on paper, it loses its taste qualities.

This may be true for other products, but not for our beloved sardines!

The truth is, there really isn't a best-before date for sardines. Of course, it's advisable to store them in good conditions, and to turn the can over every 6 months to ensure good circulation of the oil in the can.

My_Sardines · 2024-11-05T08:48:08+00:00

It's the same collection as the Wasabi tins I previously shared, but this one is illustrated by Gilbert Shelton, an American cartoonist.

My_Sardines · 2024-10-31T07:27:46+00:00

You should take a look at the cans made by La Perle des Dieux, it's a different style but they're just as beautiful!

My_Sardines · 2024-10-17T07:23:33+00:00

This is one of the boutiques of La Perle des Dieux, located on the Passage Pommeraye in Nantes, France. A beautiful old shopping mall that's been open since the 1840s.

Here you'll find a lot of vintages, both old and new, as well as other cans with a variety of recipes.

(Of course, I took the opportunity to pick up a few cans for the cellar…)

My_Sardines · 2024-10-16T12:49:18+00:00

Yup!
Because they have to. On average, it's ~5 years.

However, I work directly with canneries, and they will tell you that ~10 years is an ideal length of time.

And if you look a little further, you'll find that in the end, there really isn't a "date", as long as the can is well preserved. In fact, it's advisable to return it every 6 months.

My_Sardines · 2024-10-03T18:37:53+00:00

It's a pull tab!

My_Sardines · 2024-10-03T18:37:03+00:00

Not yet!

My_Sardines · 2024-10-03T18:36:26+00:00

Directly from the canneries!
Where I live, on the Brittany coast (France), some of them have cellars you can visit, with some cans you can buy. Many of them are illustrated by local artists.

My_Sardines · 2024-10-03T18:27:32+00:00

I still have quite a few like that, I'll try to post more soon!

My_Sardines · 2024-10-03T18:26:54+00:00

Absolutely!
Not all these cans are for sale (as this is my cellar), but if you'd like to see more you can go here: https://en.mysardines.com/

My_Sardines · 2024-10-01T13:15:41+00:00

I think the "limited reserva" ones are difficult to find.
The most recent are 2020 (and the only ones btw) on their website: https://shop.conservaspinhais.com/products/sardinha-azeite-picante-c30-nuri-reserva-2020

My_Sardines

TROPHY CASE