More About Parmentier

The Parmentier collection at Epicerie Corner brings together 5 tinned sardine products from the French seafood brand — whole sardines in sunflower oil, olive oil, lemon, tomato sauce and chilli, each in 135g tins.

About Parmentier

Parmentier is a French producer of tinned sardines — a category with deep roots in French culinary history. The canning of sardines in France has been practised since the early nineteenth century, when Nicolas Appert's preservation method found its most successful commercial application in Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, where Atlantic sardine (Sardina pilchardus) catches were abundant but perishable. Today, French tinned sardines remain a staple of the French pantry, with the 135g individual tin the standard serving format. The five Parmentier products cover the classic variants of the French sardine range: nature in sunflower oil, olive oil, lemon, tomato sauce and piment (chilli).

The Parmentier Range

• Parmentier Sardines Sunflower Oil 135g: whole sardines packed in refined sunflower oil — the neutral oil allows the natural flavour of the sardine to express itself without the added fruitiness or richness of olive oil. Sunflower oil sardines are the most versatile format: suited for salads, pasta, toast and direct eating. The sardines are seasoned with salt.
• Parmentier Sardines Olive Oil 135g: whole sardines packed in olive oil, which contributes a fruity, slightly peppery background note to the fish. The olive oil format is the traditional southern French and Mediterranean preparation — olive oil sardines pair particularly well with crusty bread, tomatoes and capers.
• Parmentier Sardines Lemon 135g: sardines in sunflower oil with added lemon flavouring. Lemon cuts through the richness of the sardine, adding brightness and acidity — particularly suited for salads and cold preparations.
• Parmentier Sardines Tomatoes 135g: whole sardines in a tomato sauce — the classic French tinned sardine variant. The tomato sauce (cooked down, slightly sweet and acidic) complements the sardines and creates a product suited for direct eating or serving on bread.
• Parmentier Sardines Chilli 135g: sardines in sunflower oil with chilli — a spiced variant for those who prefer a more assertive preparation. The chilli adds heat without overwhelming the sardine.

For the full tinned fish range, see Sardines and Mackerels. For all tinned and preserved products, see Tins and Cans. For ready-to-eat fish products, see Ready Fish.

Parmentier Sardines FAQs

Do tinned sardines improve with age?

Yes — this is one of the characteristics that distinguishes tinned sardines from most other tinned foods. Freshly tinned sardines can have a slightly stronger, fishier aroma; as the tin is stored (at room temperature, away from light), the olive or sunflower oil gradually permeates the fish, the fats in the sardine itself partially oxidise and interact with the oil, and the result after 12–36 months is a noticeably mellower, richer and more complex flavour than a newly packed tin. French sardine producers (particularly in Brittany and Vendée) have historically produced vintage sardines with year labels specifically for ageing. The recommended storage for ageing is a cool, dry place with the tin turned annually to redistribute the oil. The sardines in the Parmentier range are fully cooked in the tin and shelf-stable for several years; the olive oil variant is the classic choice for ageing.