La Sardella Reale®
Origin, process, and product quality
What is Sardella Reale®
Sardella was the preserve of Calabrian fishermen made with sardine fry, the fishing of which is now prohibited. Sardella Reale® reinterprets its character using locally caught sardines, respecting the law without betraying the flavor.
The consistency is soft and velvety, designed to offer a balanced, elegant, and contemporary taste experience. A tribute to Calabrian history, transformed into a refined mousse that preserves memory, territory, and innovation.
A sensory journey through Calabria, an invitation to rediscover scents and emotions that seemed lost.
Versatile and contemporary, Sardella Reale® accompanies and embellishes every culinary creation, transforming every dish into a unique experience to be fully enjoyed.
How Sardella Reale® is made
SARDINELLA AURITA
Fresh local sardine fillets taken within 48 hours of capture
wild fennel
Wild spontaneous fennel
harvested in Calabria
Dried red pepper powder
Dried Calabrian pepper powder (sweet and spicy)
EVO oil
Cold-extracted extra virgin olive oil from Calabrian olive growers
A product with history
Sardella is a preparation with centuries-old origins, deeply rooted in Calabrian gastronomic culture.
Once made with sardine fry — no longer usable by law today — it represented a symbol of identity, territory, and artisanal wisdom.
Sardella Reale® reinterprets this tradition in full compliance with regulations, preserving its authentic soul through selected ingredients and a rigorous production process. The aromatic profile is intense yet harmonious: notes of extra virgin olive oil, the sweetness of dried pepper, and the freshness of wild fennel emerge.
Selection and processing
Fresh local sardines, processed by hand to preserve quality and integrity.
Controlled salting
Within 48 hours of capture, the product is salted with precise temperature and pressure parameters.
Recipe preparation
Addition of dried Calabrian pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and wild fennel.
Transformation and packaging
Transformation into mousse, vacuum glass packaging, and thermal treatment in a sterilization autoclave.
Processing
The processing of Sardella Reale® is born from the meeting of manual skill, precision, and advanced technology, in a process designed to guarantee quality, safety, and uniformity at every stage. The fillets are processed manually within 48 hours of capture, so as to preserve their freshness, integrity, and sensory characteristics. This is followed by the salting phase, conducted at
controlled temperature and pressure according to a defined protocol. The progressive control of dehydration allows for the optimal balance of the product to be reached, without compromising the natural structure of the fish.
The ingredients are then incorporated through a vacuum emulsion process, which promotes uniform distribution and helps preserve aroma, color, and consistency. Processing continues at a controlled temperature using 4.0 process technologies, ensuring production continuity, precision, and a
perfectly homogeneous texture.
Every step is designed to respect the raw material and enhance its identity, giving life to a balanced, refined mousse deeply linked to the Calabrian gastronomic tradition. The control of process parameters and product stability allows Sardella Reale® to maintain its characteristics for up to 18 months, without the use of preservatives.
How to use it
Extremely versatile and ready to use, Sardella Reale® enriches every preparation with elegance and character. Its velvety structure and distinctive aromatic profile make it ideal for multiple gastronomic interpretations.
Ideal for:
- refined aperitifs and tastings
- first and second courses with a Mediterranean character
- gourmet pizzas, focaccias, and sandwiches
An ingredient capable of enhancing both traditional and contemporary cuisine, transforming every dish into a taste experience.
Quality and preservation
The product is packaged in thick glass jars, designed to guarantee stability and protection.
The vacuum seal and pasteurization treatment in an autoclave ensure optimal shelf life over time, keeping the organoleptic characteristics unaltered.
Available formats
Sardella Reale® is available in different formats to suit every need
FAQ
What is Sardella Reale®?
Sardella Reale® is a mousse made from sardine fillets, dried Calabrian pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and wild fennel, inspired by the ancient Calabrian recipe for sardella.
What is the difference compared to other similar products?
It is unique, as it is made with fresh local sardines and not with imported foreign fish species. Furthermore, it uses carefully selected E.V.O. oil, dried pepper, and wild fennel of Calabrian origin, so as to reproduce the identical flavor of that
made with fry, the fishing of which is prohibited.
Why sardines and not anchovies?
Because Sardella Reale® reproduces the same taste and quality as fry, whereas anchovies are salted fish in brine.
What does sardine fry mean?
Sardine fry refers to sardines in their very first stages of life, small and delicate. It is an ingredient linked to the Calabrian maritime tradition and the ancient recipe from which Sardella Reale® is born.
Why wild fennel and not cultivated?
Because wild fennel has a more intense and authentic scent. It grows spontaneously, tells the story of the Calabrian territory, and gives Sardella Reale® that aromatic note typical of the ancient recipe.
Does it contain preservatives?
No, Sardella Reale® is made with essential ingredients and a production process that guarantees shelf life without the addition of artificial preservatives.
Is it a spicy product?
It has a slightly spicy note, balanced by the rest of the ingredients. The taste is bold but harmonious, suitable for most palates.
Is it ready to use?
Yes, Sardella Reale® is ready to use: just open the jar to use it directly.
How is it used in the kitchen?
It can be used on bread and bruschettas, as a seasoning for pasta, or to enrich more elaborate recipes such as pizzas, piadinas, and gourmet sandwiches. Visit our recipes, for inspiration on how to use Sardella Reale®.
How is the product stored?
The product should be stored sealed at room temperature. After opening, store it in the refrigerator, adding a drizzle of E.V.O. oil to cover.
Is it suitable for the catering industry?
Yes, there is a format for professional and catering use. Find out more in the dedicated area.
Is it possible to purchase large quantities or become a reseller?
Yes, it is possible to contact the company for commercial collaborations, resale, or dedicated supplies.
