Sardines are small fish belonging to the family Clupeidae, like sardines and herrings. They are highly valued for their flavour and their high content of health-promoting nutrients. Its body is elongated and fusiform, with a silvery skin and small scales.
These fish usually inhabit shallow coastal waters, where they feed on small crustaceans and plankton. Due to their size, they are frequent prey for other marine predators, which results in a short life cycle. For this reason, sardines are a seasonal fish, usually available in spring and summer.