Polar sardines in Mustard

Price: $0.99 at Grocery Outlet

Calories per can: 120

Sodium: 390mg

13g of protein.

Does not require a can opener.

I would like to be upfront with you all. I’ve mindlessly eaten many cans of Polar sardines in Mustard (or as the fans call it,  PSM). But I’ve never taken a good hard look into the can and asked myself, “Is this good?” So let’s dive in.

The box is plain, clear, and the can inside is unmarked and unassuming. I opened the can all the way and sprayed myself with mustard as the lid snapped off. Bad start. There are four sardine filets in what looks like a diluted mustard sauce. The sardines are good lookin’ but a little on the small side. They do not smell hardly at all, like a simple sea brine if anything. I added the can to the rest of my charcuterie plate of flatbread, capers, a garlic mustard sauce, and rootbeer to drink. (see below)

I went in on the ‘dines with just a fork at first. The flavor is very mild, a classic sardine with little to no mustard flavor. It’s not very seasoned, frankly. It is not very salty and I wish the mustard flavor was stronger. This is really a thin yellow ballpark style mustard but I’d prefer something with a bit more bite. Next time I sluppement it with more mustard. Mmmm…

I tend to only eat sardines when no one else is home, and I am not expecting anyone to stop by for several hours. 

I know this is my review but I went online to see what other people were saying about Polar sardines in Mustard. And to my great surprise I found… Nothing. They have no online presence at all. No grocery store carries them, no website sells them. In fact I went to the manufacturer’s website to check it out and there was no mention of them at all. 

Overall I think this can has a good fish texture and is great for the price. It’s pretty low calorie, but if you’re trying to make a meal of it this is not the fish for you. I cannot overlook the poor mustard flavor, if it was stronger I would be able to appreciate this can more. However it does its job as part of a larger plate.

 I will have to give it a 54/100.