If you think canned food is just for emergencies, Spain has a delicious surprise waiting for you. Step into the world of conservas — artisanal canned seafood and specialties that are less about survival and more about savoring. At Terry’s, conservas are a cornerstone of our deli, with legendary brands like Ortiz showing exactly why this humble tin deserves a place on your table.
Conservas 101: Spain’s Best-Kept Secret
In Spain, conservas are not pantry fillers — they’re delicacies. The term simply means “preserves,” but the practice goes back centuries, when fishermen along the coasts of Galicia and the Basque Country discovered that preserving the day’s catch in oil or brine kept flavors intact long after the boats returned to shore. Over time, the craft evolved from necessity to artistry. Today, conservas are served proudly in tapas bars and Michelin-starred restaurants alike.
Unlike mass-market canned goods, gourmet conservas rely on quality, not shortcuts. The seafood is seasonal, caught sustainably, and prepared by hand within hours of landing. Each tin is essentially a time capsule — a way of capturing peak freshness, texture, and taste.
Meet Ortiz: The Icon of the Tin
When it comes to conservas, Conservas Ortiz is practically royalty. Founded in 1891, Ortiz has been producing canned tuna, anchovies, and sardines for five generations, always with the same obsession: respect for the sea and respect for tradition.
- Line-Caught Bonito del Norte (White Tuna): Delicate, tender, and worlds apart from supermarket tuna. Packed in olive oil, it only gets better with time.
- Anchovies in Olive Oil: Cleaned and hand-filleted one by one, these anchovies are salty, silky, and — dare we say — addictive.
- Sardines: Caught at their seasonal peak, then aged in tins so flavors deepen and mellow.
Fun fact: Ortiz doesn’t rush. Their anchovies are actually aged for months before they even hit the shelf, giving them that depth of flavor you can’t fake.
Why Conservas Are Considered Gourmet
So what makes a tin of tuna gourmetwhile others… aren’t? A few reasons:
- Sourcing: Small boats, seasonal fishing, and line-catching methods mean better quality and sustainability.
- Craftsmanship: Every step, from gutting to packing, is done by hand.
- Aging: Like wine or cheese, conservas often improve with time. The olive oil interacts with the fish, mellowing salt and sharpening texture.
- Versatility: Conservas can go from tin to table in minutes, yet still feel indulgent.
In other words: you’re not paying for a container of tuna. You’re paying for generations of tradition, premium seafood, and the magic of Spanish culinary culture.
How to Enjoy Conservas at Home
Here’s the best part — enjoying conservas doesn’t require chef-level skills. Just a little curiosity (and maybe some bread).
- Tapas Time: Serve Ortiz anchovies over pan con tomate (toasted bread with tomato pulp and olive oil).
- Quick Gourmet Fix: Mix white tuna into a salad of arugula, cherry tomatoes, and olives for a no-cook dinner that feels like Spain.
- Unexpected Pairing: Try sardines with potato chips and a crisp Albariño. It sounds quirky, but trust us, it works.
And because they’re shelf-stable, conservas are perfect for impromptu get-togethers. Just pop a tin, pour some wine, and you’ve got instant tapas.
Why They Belong at Terry’s
For us, conservas aren’t a trend. They’re part of our DNA. Our founder, like many Spaniards, grew up with these tins on the family table — proof that convenience doesn’t have to sacrifice authenticity. By offering Ortiz and other artisanal brands, we invite Manila to experience the same tradition, one tin at a time.
At Terry’s, you’ll find conservas not just in our deli shelves but also woven into our Bistro menu — from Truffle & Tuna Cannelloni to classic tapas boards. It’s our way of showing how a humble tin can elevate both everyday dining and special occasions.
A Gourmet Future in a Tin
Conservas embody everything we believe in: heritage, craftsmanship, and making great food accessible. They’re proof that gourmet doesn’t have to mean complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is opening a tin, pouring a glass, and sharing the moment.
✨ Next time you’re in Terry’s, take home a tin of Ortiz. Try it at your next wine night, or sneak it into a quick weekday lunch. Who knows? You might just discover that the finest things really can come in small packages.
