The Difference between Sardine Frozen and Anchovies

Sardine frozen and anchovies frozen fish are both small in size with the same silver color and oily texture since they are related after all. However, they are different fish and professional such as connoisseurs can tell the different and they will be able to pick out the true sardine among frozen anchovies and sardines. You also can learn to tell the difference between sardine and anchovies so when you buying frozen or fresh sardine fish, you can tell whether the fish offered in fish markets are really sardines or not. Here’s how you can tell the different.
The different between sardine frozen vs anchovies frozen fish
·         Sardines
Sardine is a common name for several species of fish including young pilchard, sprat, and herring. Sardines is a small size of fish with soft bones which like to swim around in large school and like to live in saltwater. Canned sardine produced by Canada and US are mostly using Atlantic herring while products from Norway are mostly using sprat. According to some source, the name sardines derived from young pilchards caught off in the coast of Sardinia, Italy and thus according to connoisseurs, they young pilchards are the true sardine. Anyway, most of sardine frozen or fresh fish average lengths are 5 to 8 inches.
·         Anchovies
This small fish can be found in Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans while some species live or enter freshwater. Most of the species averagely can grow not more than 6 inches in length. There is a silvery stripe down the flanks on their body and anchovies have translucent bodies. Although the North American anchovy named Anchoa, however the Engraulis is the true species of anchovy which is Mediterranean type. Anchovies like to join other small fish groups and swim around with dense schools.
After you know the information above, you can tell the different even just a little. Canned anchovies like to be offered at markets in smoked, salted, distilled for fish sauces, and pounded into a paste. Canned anchovies product can be very salty and usually they are distributed rolled or flat. If you do not like too much salty sea food then you can try to reduce the saltiness by soak the fish in cool water for half an hour and use clean paper towel to pat the anchovies dry. However canned anchovies are less salty than fresh anchovies. They are sold with bones but can be cleaned and removed easily by rinsing the fish under running water and then just pull out the fins. Meanwhile, sardines are mostly sold in canned products, salted, and smoked. Canned sardine products are packaged in oils, waters, or sauces such as mustard sauce and tomato sauce. Fresh sardines are available during summer while sardine frozen fish can be grabbed anytime at fish markets or grocery stores.
Fresh or frozen sardines and anchovies are commonly consumed in Europe. In Europe, they like to pick larger size of sardines and then cooked the fish by grilling or roasted in oven or just cook in fillets. In Italian, Spanish, and Greek restaurants or markets, marinated anchovies are available with stronger flavor and they like to be used in Worcestershire sauce or Caesar salad dressing.
Both of sardine frozen product or fresh and anchovies have their nutrition health benefits. Oily fish such as sardine and anchovy are rich in fats like omega 3 fatty acids. These fats are good for cardiovascular health and to lower high blood pressure so they also prevent the heart disease. Besides omega 3 content, sardine and anchovies are also rich in protein, vitamins, and calcium. Some people like to consume the soft bones of sardines because they want to get more calcium intake for their body. Canned sardines are sold with softer bones than fresh or frozen one so they are more edible to be eaten. Protein and vitamins intake is good for body health as well, they are great for dietary menu and for those who have obesity problem can include cooked sardines frozen or anchovies for their diet menu. However, moderate consumption still needed due to the mercury content inside most of the fish including sardine frozen or anchovies. For pregnant or nursing women, they are better to avoid eating them for awhile because they are more sensitive to the mercury as well as the infant or baby.