Sardines have become a high-protein staple for me while using Wegovy. So much so that I now keep a well-stocked pantry with a wide range of options. I tend to favor lightly smoked sardines in olive oil, which is what led me to try Matiz Wild Sardines in Spanish Olive Oil. It turned out to be a good choice.
I found Matiz Sardines at World Market for $5.49 a tin. Amazon sells a five-pack for $28.99, or about $5.80 per tin. At that price, these are not something I will eat every day, but I can easily work one or two tins into my week without guilt. I usually target $3 tins for daily meals, which still gives me plenty of decent options.
Taste and texture were the highlights. These are large sardines with firm flesh and a substantial bite. When I eat sardines on sourdough toast, I usually split the fish. This time, I used the whole sardine. It felt right and tasted even better. The light smokiness paired well with the delicate flavor of the olive oil. Combined with toasted sourdough and a small dab of hot sauce, it came together as a nearly perfect bite. I am a fan.
From a price-to-value standpoint, these sit comfortably in my sweet spot for a higher-end weekly meal. This is not a luxury product. I think of it more like a good steak after a week of eating chicken. At roughly twice the cost of my everyday sardines, the value feels justified.
Would I pay less? Of course. I would feel better if the price landed closer to $5 a tin. There is a lot of competition in the $4 to $7 premium range, so there is likely room for discounts. That said, I would not pay more than the current price.
My Rating: 8 out of 10
Much like the Fishwife Sardines I reviewed previously, this is a near-perfect bite. At $5 per tin, it would easily earn a 9.
Peanuts In My Pocket 
Leave a comment