Matiz

Best for: all-round premium · Price tier: mid-premium · Origin: Galicia, Spain

Spanish conservas brand importing Galician tinned seafood to North America.

Plump Galician sardines (sardinillas are the smaller grade) in good olive oil; reliable premium all-rounder.

The range

• Sardines in Olive Oil
• Sardinillas (small sardines) in Olive Oil
• Sardines with Lemon Essence

Packing style

Olive oil. Packing liquid matters more than most beginners expect: olive oil keeps fish silky and is the default recommendation on this site; water-packed tins are leaner and better for mashing into salads and pastas.

What it tastes like

Plump and mild-sweet Galician fish; sardinillas are smaller, more delicate, almost buttery.

Our flavour notes summarise each maker's own descriptions and published reviews.

Compare next

• Fishwife — best for beginners, premium tier
• King Oscar — best for beginners, mid tier
• Wild Planet — best for health optimizers, mid tier

See where Matiz lands in Best sardines overall.