Minerva Sardines: Portugal's Iconic Tinned Fish and Where to Buy It

Found a tin of Minerva sardines on holiday in Portugal and can't stop thinking about it? Spotted those colourful vintage tins on social media? Or just looking for the best Portuguese sardines you can get delivered to your door?

You're in the right place. Here's what makes Minerva special, which tins to try first, and where to buy Minerva sardines online.

Minerva sardines at a glance

Made in: Póvoa de Varzim, northern Portugal
Producer: Fábrica de Conservas A Poveira, since 1938
Brand founded: 1942
Method: fresh fish, hand-packed, steam-cooked, tins wrapped by hand
Certified: MSC sustainable fishing, Kosher, Halal, Dolphin Safe, BRC
Best known for: sardines in olive oil and their colourful vintage-style tins

What makes Minerva sardines special?

Fresh fish, handled by hand

Minerva only uses fresh sardines caught off the Portuguese coast during the sardine season. Each fish is selected and packed into the tin by hand, then steam-cooked before canning. The result is a firm, tender sardine with a clean, delicate flavour, nothing like cheap supermarket tins.

Those beautiful tins

Many Minerva tins are still wrapped in paper by hand. The colourful, vintage designs have made them a favourite gift and a regular star of tinned fish boards on Instagram.

Sustainable and certified

Minerva sardines are caught with purse seine nets in an MSC-certified sustainable fishery. They're also Kosher, Halal and Dolphin Safe, and the producer has been certified for organic (BIO) production since 2014.

The story behind the tin: a French beginning

Here's something most Minerva fans don't know: the story of these very Portuguese sardines begins in France.

In 1920, a French company, Ernoud de la Provoté Père et Fils from Cholet in western France, opened the very first fish cannery in Póvoa de Varzim. The French brought a long tradition of fine tinned fish; Póvoa had some of the best sardines in the Atlantic, landed fresh every morning at its port.

In 1938, the factory changed hands and became A Poveira, "the woman from Póvoa". In 1942 it launched Minerva, named after the Roman goddess of wisdom and craftsmanship: a promise that every tin would be made with skill and care.

For 74 years the factory stood right in front of Póvoa's fishing port, so the catch went from boat to tin within hours. In 2013 it moved to a modern facility nearby, but it never left its hometown. In 2022, Minerva celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Which Minerva sardines should you try first?

Minerva sardines in olive oil: the classic. Start here.
Skinless and boneless sardines: milder and easier to eat, perfect if you're new to tinned fish.
Sardines in tomato sauce: great on toast or stirred through pasta.
Spicy sardines in olive oil: for a little heat.
Organic sardines: for the cleanest choice.

Want to go beyond sardines? Minerva mackerel fillets and cod in garlic olive oil are just as good.

How to eat Minerva sardines

On toasted sourdough with lemon and black pepper
Tossed through pasta with garlic, chilli and parsley
On a tinned fish board with bread, olives, pickles and cheese
In a potato salad with red onion and a splash of oil from the tin

Where to buy Minerva sardines online

Minerva isn't always easy to find outside Portugal, especially the full range. At SARDINELE we focus exclusively on Portuguese tinned fish, and Minerva is one of the brands we're proudest to carry. Order online and we'll deliver your favourite tins across Europe.

Minerva sardines: FAQ

Where are Minerva sardines made?
In Póvoa de Varzim, a fishing town on Portugal's northern Atlantic coast, by the cannery A Poveira.

Are Minerva sardines good quality?
Yes. Minerva is one of Portugal's oldest premium tinned fish brands. The sardines are fresh, hand-packed and steam-cooked using the traditional Portuguese method.

Are Minerva sardines sustainable?
Yes. They come from an MSC-certified sardine fishery.

Do Minerva sardines have bones?
Classic Minerva sardines include the soft, edible bones, which are a great source of calcium. If you prefer, choose the skinless and boneless version.

Are Minerva sardines healthy?
Sardines are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and calcium, and naturally low in carbs, which makes them great for keto and low-carb diets.

Can I buy Minerva sardines outside Portugal?
Yes. You can order Minerva sardines online from SARDINELE with delivery across Europe.