Pollastrini di Anzio Spicy Sardines in Olive Oil 100g

Pollastrini di Anzio is one of Italy’s oldest and most iconic sardine canning brands. Founded in 1889 by Salvatore Pollastrini in the seaside town of Anzio, south of Rome, the company now has over 137 years of history and remains family-owned, currently managed by descendants of the founder (including Andrea).

What makes Pollastrini especially unique is that it is widely recognized as “the only Italian brand still producing Mediterranean sardines.” Most other Italian brands have either stopped production or switched to fish sourced elsewhere. Pollastrini continues to use wild Mediterranean sardines (Sardina pilchardus), caught using the traditional lampare night-fishing method — fishermen use strong lights on dark nights to attract schools of fish before surrounding them with small purse-seine boats. The sardines are then carefully hand-selected, cleaned, and packed using traditional methods that preserve the authentic craftsmanship and flavor.

Among international canned seafood enthusiasts — including communities on Reddit, TasteAtlas, and specialty food blogs — Pollastrini is highly respected and often regarded as one of the finest representatives of Italian sardines. The fish are known for their delicate texture, firm meat, and rich flavor when paired with high-quality olive oil.

2025 Spicy Sardines Special Batch

The 2025 batch of Spicy Sardines in Olive Oil has one particularly interesting detail: the fish were caught off the coast of Croatia and canned locally there.

The reason is simple — freshness matters most. In 2025, sardine schools were mainly concentrated in the Adriatic Sea (which is part of the Mediterranean). Shipping the fish all the way back to Anzio, Italy for processing would have reduced freshness. By catching and canning them near the Croatian coast, the company was able to preserve better quality and flavor before exporting them internationally or sending them to Italy.

These are still wild Mediterranean sardines that meet Pollastrini’s usual standards; only the processing location changed in response to actual fishing conditions. Previous batches were mostly caught and processed closer to Italy.

The spicy version offers a moderate but lingering heat, balanced with red chili peppers and premium olive oil, making it a favorite among canned fish enthusiasts looking for a more flavorful “spicy edition.”

If you enjoy traditional Italian flavors and want to experience exceptionally fresh Mediterranean sardines, the 2025 Spicy batch is absolutely worth trying.