Momsie's Spanish Sardines - An Honest Review

I grew up sickly. 

I would have these historic feats of fainting in my former years. 

When I entered college, that started my awareness that I have to do something to reverse this sickly part of me. I need to be well and be a fully functioning individual because being dizzy and nauseous all the time is not cool. 

It is suffering. 

So to test my body's endurance I entered ROTC, crazy huh? then trained for RSCT. Then I developed this fascination with my food intake. I see food as something that not only satiates your "cravings" but its main function is to nourish your body inside out, for one human to be able to function well, thus, you can develop all your potentials in this life. Though when we speak about "health" it connotes many different types and levels and is an extensive topic to discuss. 

Out of all my health readings, "Sardines" is one food that stuck with me. (Out of the many)  First of all, it's cheap. And here in the Philippines, there's not much appreciation for it and it is often associated with being poor like it's a low thing it is outrageous! It's often packed in relief goods with instant noodles. But what most people don't know is that Sardines is one of those cheap yet very healthy sources of vitamin B12, B3, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, Vitamin D, Iodine, and the list goes on! It's one of the safest fish to eat too since it merely feeds on plankton and eating mercury and lead is the least of your concerns. 

Like for years now, I even eat those soft bones of the sardines for the calcium. 

Not all commercial sardines are the same. Just follow the rule. Eat everything in moderation. High sodium content can also raise the eyebrows of food experts. 

Anyway... 

I love that this "Spanish Sardines' mania emerged in our country. The classic Spanish sardines would have olives, carrots, bay leaf, peppercorns, etc. It's been here long ago but there's not much information and advertising about it. Because I love sardines, of course, I want the food I love to "grow" as well and get better especially in taste. It's the feeling that I wanna explore the certain possibilities of flavors of these infamous sardines. 

Like I told you in my last blog, I tasted so many varieties of sardines and Spanish sardines alike. Both here in the Philippines and abroad. Here in the Philippines, we have an abundance of it in Dipolog. I also tasted their Spanish Sardines there! They were really good I must say. 

The Spanish Sardines that we will be featuring today is made from none other than the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines", Dipolog City! 

I am nothin short of honored when Maam Dior, owner of MOMSIE'S SPANISH SARDINES sent me a message asking me to review her products. The heart of the Zentrovert jumped 50 meters high lol! It's really something when someone trusts you to do something like this. :-)

When I received it, since its a bottled food, it is carefully wrapped in a carton box and taped. Then I opened it and saw these pleasant, crisp, labeled, sturdy-bottle babies in green and bright red,  I smiled. 

I received two variants, Spicy tomato, and Spicy Lime Garlic. I'm not gonna lie, I was already rooting for that spicy lime garlic! I can already taste the flavors in my mouth! Lol!

I appreciate that they were properly bottled, I heard that pop when I opened the bottle and I was like, "Ooooh, I love that". It's an indicator that they were properly vacuum sealed. 

I opened the Spicy Lime garlic variant first then smelled the faint smell of garlic. ( I love this already, lol!) I counted about 19 or 20 small sardines were able to fit that bottle! Wow! It has garlic, lime, pepper, and bird's-eye chili swimming on it! I arranged about 6 pieces in a bowl so I can take photos then proceeded with the spicy tomato variant. 

Spicy Lime Garlic

I also arranged about 6 sardine pieces into a bowl. I observed that compared to the other variant, the sardines in the Spicy Tomato were slightly bigger. I counted about 10 sardines fitted into that bottle. I can see the chili's and the real tomato sauce swimming in the bottom of the bottle. This has a bright red oil compared to the clear oil of the green variant.

Spicy Tomato 

Now let's get down to the actual tasting part. 

I tasted the Spicy Tomato first. The sardine meat was dense. I can taste that mild tomato flavor. The fish was not smelly! It's just the normal fish smell everywhere, not too strong. I love that the fish cavity is clean, could not see any fish guts! haha! There was also tomato sauce build up in there.  The bones were soft but the sardine itself is solid, it did not break apart. It tasted like how a Spanish sardine would taste! I'm saying this because some Spanish sardines that were sold commercially is not quiet there you know. Yes, it is labeled as "Spanish Sardines", maybe cooked like one,  but when you taste it, you were like, what's this? Look, I'm just being honest. I too am looking for that standard, classic, unique Spanish Sardine taste. I came looking for that, that's why I'm buying it, and when I don't taste and feel that, It's just frustrating. 

This one? It tasted like how a Spanish Sardine would taste and it is delicately delicious! It even jumped a notch higher on the flavor! :-) 

Now on to the next one, let's go to the Spicy Lime Garlic variant. (My bias)

with Brown Rice 

I shoved a spoonful in my mouth and Oh dear. 

I was not mistaken. 

It is so delicious. So fresh! I literally stopped in my tracks, and I was like Oh God, Oh God. Babe! come and taste this! (I almost yelled to my husband! HAHA!). That garlic, pepper, chili, lime blend made me feel like I'm out in the garden filled with Lemon trees, on a sunny day, and it's time for a harvest! I'm holding out a basket filled with lemons. I'm wearing a yellow sundress, a wide-brimmed hat and I'm happily strolling with the lush greens and cool wind on my face! hahahahaha! I know it's crazy! That fresh, citrus blend is crazy! It is slightly spicy compared to the Spicy Tomato but nothing like it will sting your tastebuds or something. It is utterly delicious! That blend worked perfectly and worked wonders. It was perfect! 

I did not get fed up with the oil (I'm also mentioning that they used corn oil and you can read about its benefits for the health!)

I had both of them eaten with 3 servings of rice. 

I did not regret it. 

It was quite an experience. And I get to savor the real taste of Spanish Sardines. Warmth to my heart!

And for only 180 pesos for a 320g bottle? That is a very fair price! generous even!

Thank you Momsie's Bottled Food for introducing this hearty, healthy, and hefty Spanish Sardines to the public! It was really good and such a joyful addition to the dinner table of every Filipino who appreciates this exquisite, charming food. :-)

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Visit the link above to order! Enjoy!