Sardines or Pilchards are a group of several types of small oily fish related to herrings, family Clupeidae. Sardines were named after the island of Sardinia, where they were once in abundance. Sardines are mentioned in The Old Man and the Sea when Santiago fishes with them as baits.

The terms are not precise, and the usual meanings vary by region; for instance, to many people a "sardine" is a young

European pilchard. The FAO/WHO Codex standard for canned sardines cites twenty one species which may be classed as sardines; FishBase, a comprehensive database of information about fish, lists at least six species called just "pilchard," over a dozen called just "sardine," and many more with the two basic names qualified by various adjectives. Canned "sardines" seen in supermarkets may actually be sprats or round herrings. The actual sizes of the fish canned varies by species. Good quality sardines should have the head and gills removed before packing. They may be also eviscerated before packing (typically the larger varieties), or not; however, if not eviscerated they should be free of undigested or partially digested food or feces (accomplished by holding the live fish in a tank for long enough that their digestive systems empty themselves). They may be packed in oil, or some sort of sauce.

Classification

• Genus Dussumeria
• Rainbow sardine Dussumieria acuta
• Slender rainbow sardine Dussumieria elopsoides
• Genus Escualosa
• Slender white sardine Escualosa elongata
• White sardine Escualosa thoracata
• Genus Sardina
• European pilchard (true sardine) Sardina pilchardus
• Genus Sardinella
• Round sardinella (gilt sardine, Spanish sardine) Sardinella aurita
• Genus Sardinops
• South American pilchard (Pacific sardine, California sardine, Chilean sardine, South African sardine) Sardinops sagax (Jenyns, 1842)

Sardine in popular culture
Sardines are typically tightly packed in a small, flat can, the lid of which is scored for easy opening either with a pull tab, or a church key attached to the side of the can. Thus, it has the virtues of being an easily portable self-contained source of food, and often such things as sewing kits or survival kits are packed in a similar container [3]. The close packing of sardines in the can has led to their being used metaphorically for any situation where people or objects are crowded together; for instance a bus or subway car.

Portugal

Póvoa de Varzim to Olhão has the summertime popular tradition of eating grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas).

Spain (Canary Islands)
In the Timanfaya Volcanic National Park on Lanzarote, a popular tourist menu is to eat Sardines, freshly caught that morning, grilled over the heat from a volcanic vent.

Healthy Food
Sardines are also healthy and considered a "brain food." These tasty fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which can help mantain a healthy heart. Recent studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids slow the progression of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. These fatty acids can also help control blood sugar level. Not only are sardines packed with omega 3 fatty acids but they are also a good source of vitamin D and calcium.

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