Matiz Flor de Garum - Premium Spanish Fish Sauce - 100ml

Since the most famous anecdotes from ancient times describe the horrid smell of garum processing facilities, that was the part I was most intrigued by. I’m used to asian fish sauce, but this smells nothing like that. This smells exactly like fresh parmesan cheese. Like that briny foot smell that parmesan has. If you’re not thinking of something gross it smells good. Taste is very savory, less salty than soy sauce and less sour than fish sauce. It would be fantastic on pasta or salads.

I am familiar with the historical Garum, although I've never tried it. I can't speak for the authenticity of this one, but the label does say they did a lot of research based on the Pompeiian ruins to get it right. I can say that it tastes very good. I would describe the taste as a sort of fishy soy sauce. If you've ever had a nice anchovy pasta, it has the same sort of flavor, but with a less pronounced fish flavor, and a stronger saltiness. Similar to soy sauce, you can pretty much use it as you would use salt. It is pretty salty. Even though the bottle suggests a serving size of 14g, about half that is already sufficient to make one meal fairly salty. Unlike salt, it also imparts a delicious umami characteristic to the dish. And of course, a slight hint of fishiness. It has a fairly strong fish odor, doesn't bother me, but my wife, who dislikes all fish, is very bothered by it. Through long experience, I have discovered that whenever my wife complains about the stinkiness of a fish, it will usually be very delicious. This sauce is no exception. However, because the bottle is just a bottle with a stopper, you have to be a little bit careful when pouring so you don't pour too much or get it dripping down the side of the bottle onto the table. I think it would definitely help if the company improved the bottle design to make it easier to pour. It is somewhat pricey at $32, but you do get a good amount of the sauce. (It was 100ml and I was surprised to find that the bottle was much bigger than pictured.) I suppose, given that it's a niche product, and imported from Spain if the label is to be believed, this isn't a wholly unreasonable price. But I wish it was cheaper so I could buy even more. It has changed my life.

I put it in so many sauces, and sometimes just eat it on pasta without anything else. It’s incredible and a little goes a long way. My roommate hates the smell but loves the results. Best used a bit like worcestershire sauce.

Really delicious, I like adding a tablespoon to the marinara sauce for my homemade pizza topping. My only criticism is the ridiculously shaped, tall slender bottle, which has a tendency to want to fall over at the slightest nudge/impact, due to the distorted and high center of gravity. I have to wedge it between other items in the fridge (after opening), to keep it propped up. If I store it in the rack of the refrigerator door, unsupported, it will fall over simply from the door movement/swinging. Delicious, though

Very disappointed, I expected something oily. It’s as liquid as vinegar. I wonder how a roman soldier could maintain his protein intake with such watery product. Label states 1% protein. I think they forgot to mention by how much it has been diluted with water. The taste itself is OK, light fish odor but not the rich flavor I would have expected for $30. Maybe a reason why most of us switched to Ketchup over the last 2000 years? :-)

Best Garum ever!!

European style fish sauce, adds extra depth of flavor to sauce and stew. About the same as Asian fish sauce ( in my opinion). Another flavor booster for the kitchen.

This product is so much better than I ever thought it would be. It is well worth the money, I want to always have some on hand. It makes ordinary, extraordinary. You won’t regret purchasing and using it.