Porthos Portuguese Sardine Collection

From Matosinhos, Portugal, with its long-standing fishing traditions, comes this eye-catching Porthos Portuguese Sardine Collection. One of the oldest brands of Portuguese sardines, established in 1912, Porthos produces its tasty, top-quality varieties in small batches with the same attention to hand-crafted detail as it has for more than a century.

Still considered a staple of traditional British and Mediterranean diets, each of the iconic cans in this curated sardines selection features brightly colored Porthos brand vintage art as a prelude to the natural delicacies insides. Subtly seasoned and brimming with flavor, sardines became a popular food item during Victorian times when the invention of the tin can and advances in canning methods enabled the fish to be preserved on a large scale. Often served with a soup course, Isabella Beeton’s famous book of household management from that era even describes sardines as an accompaniment to family tea!

With the Victorian appreciation for proper and lavish table service, enjoying sardines directly from a tin would have been considered a breach of etiquette and thus, a fashionable box reserved solely for the serving of sardines was designed to draw the attention of guests particularly to this Victorian delicacy. To that end, most sardine dishes from the era prominently feature a fully articulated (often larger than life!) sardine on the lid.

Although considered far less glamorous today, sardines pack major health benefits into the tiniest of fishes. Low in calories and nutrient-dense, along with being rich in protein, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, Porthos sardines are wild caught and tinned in pure oil to complement the natural flavor. With no chemical additives or preservatives, the striking wooden crate features one 4.4-ounce can in each of five distinctive varieties.

Whether as an exotic starter, hearty main course, or impromptu snack on toast, this heritage Porthos Portuguese Sardine Collection in its signature wooden box stands ready to bring flavor to any occasion. Bom proveito!

Limited quantities and subject to prior sale. Measures: 7.75"L  x 4.5"W x 3"H.