Peanuts In My Pocket

This was my second Fishwife product, a 3.2-ounce tin of smoked salmon that I was lucky enough to receive as a Christmas gift. My son generously put together a small collection of Fishwife tinned fish, and this is the one I chose to open first. I had previously tried their Sardines with Hot Peppers and loved them, so the bar was set high.

Overall, the salmon was delicious. The meat was firm and smelled fantastic. I ate it with freshly baked sourdough toast, a few crackers, and some pickles. I really enjoyed the flavors, but this is not something I would eat often. At $11 per tin, it clearly lives in luxury territory.

As you can see from the photo, the salmon came in two pieces, each slightly larger than a comfortable forkful. The experience was over almost as soon as it began. Four bites later, I was looking for something else to eat. It was satisfying, but fleeting.

From a price-to-value standpoint, I mentally file this in the same category as caviar. I will eat it again, probably a few times a year, but I see it as an indulgence rather than a meal. It works better as an appetizer or something paired with other food. One tin costs about the same as five days’ worth of my everyday sardines, which puts the value equation into sharp focus.

My Rating: 6 out of 10
An exceptional flavor wrapped in an uncomfortable price. I struggle to define a fair value for smoked salmon, since I rarely eat it outside of restaurants where small portions already command premium prices. Still, I would feel much better about this tin at around $6.