[Iwate Prefecture] The secret behind the popularity of stylish Western-style canned mackerel “Ça va?” and reviews of all types

  • naka
  • Last updated: 2024.04.8

Since the new coronavirus infection has increased the number of people eating meals at home, there has been an unprecedented boom in canned goods.
Among them, canned mackerel is overwhelmingly popular because it is highly nutritious and easy to prepare.
This time, we would like to introduce ``Sava Can'', a huge hit canned product that has sold more than 10 million cans since its release.

What is a can of Ça va?

Canned mackerel is a Western-style canned mackerel.
The vividly colored packaging and fish design are cute, and at first glance it looks like it's an imported product. You may think so, but this is a canned product from Iwate Prefecture that uses domestically produced mackerel. Nowadays, it is sold not only in supermarkets but also in department stores and convenience stores, so many people may have seen it.

The secret behind the popularity of Sava can

We have summarized the characteristics of Sava cans to understand why they are so popular.

  • The package
    has a stylish design, so you won't feel embarrassed leaving it in your kitchen, making it a popular gift. Nowadays, you can see them being sold in various places, but when they first went on sale, their stylish appearance made them stand out at souvenir shops in Iwate Prefecture.

  • Canned Sava, a pioneer of the gourmet canned food craze that is delicious even when eaten as is, When you think of canned mackerel, you tend to think of boiled mackerel in water or miso, but canned mackerel has an elaborate Western flavor that takes time to make at home. Whether you want one more item on your table or just want a snack right away, this restaurant is gaining popularity as a place where you can easily enjoy the flavors of the restaurant.
  • The canned food is of high quality both inside and out.The
    canned mackerel is made from carefully selected mackerel caught in eastern Japan north of Choshi, resulting in plump and thick flesh. Also, depending on the type of canned food, the lid may be difficult to open, or the lid may curl up when you open it, causing the juice to splatter at the end, but Sava cans can be opened easily with just a little force. It's a modest feature, but I'm thankful that I don't feel any stress.
Domestic mackerel with just the right amount of fat

What does "Sava" mean?

The name of the canned food, ``Ça va?'', means ``How are you?'' in French. In order to disseminate original branded processed products from Sanriku, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the ``Higashi no Shoku no Kai'', Iwate Prefecture companies ``Iwate Canned Co., Ltd.'' and ``Iwate Kensan Co., Ltd.'' ) was jointly developed.

It is said that the name was given with the image of Iwate, which received support from all over Japan during the earthquake, calling out to the rest of the country.

Reviews of all types of actual food and arranged recipes

As of October 2022, there are 5 types of Sava cans.
This time I will introduce my impressions after tasting all the types.
It's delicious enough to eat as is, but I've added some twists to it based on the easy recipe posted on Iwate Kensan Co., Ltd.'s official website. Get the recipe here

marinated in olive oil

The olive oil pickled flavor, which was sold as the first in the series, is the simplest flavor that is the easiest to customize out of the five types. Thanks to the olive oil, mackerel's characteristic bitterness is suppressed, giving the impression that it is a versatile fish that is loved by many people.

◆Sava canned ajillo

I made a simple recipe that involves just boiling potatoes and canned mackerel.
It doesn't take a lot of effort, but it looks stylish and instantly brightens up your dining table. You can really feel the texture and flavor of mackerel, making it an irresistible dish for mackerel lovers.

paprika chili sauce flavor

A seasoning for adults using habanero. When you take a bite, the mild spiciness hits your throat. It's not extremely spicy, but children and people who don't like spicy food should be careful. The wazaari flavor is not only spicy but also umami, making you addicted to it.

◆Sava canned aqua pazza

The only seasoning is the juice from the canned mackerel. Thanks to the chicken bouillon in the canned soup, it's super easy to make, but it's full of flavor. In addition, the clams and shimeji mushrooms produced natural dashi, which created a synergistic effect of deliciousness.

lemon basil flavor

The moment you open the can, you can smell the refreshing basil flavor and it's delicious enough to eat on its own. It has a refreshing flavor that goes well with salads and pasta.

◆Sava canned rice with egg

I made an easy recipe for breakfast, ``Sava canned rice with egg.''
The flavor of the olive oil mixed with the mackerel instantly gives it a Western feel.
I tried both white rice and brown rice, and both matched well. If you add mayonnaise to your preference, the mayonnaise will mellow out the flavor of the fish, making it easier to eat even for people who don't like fish.

Aqua pazza style

It has a rich flavor that rivals the store. The mackerel marinated in seafood stock and white wine absorbs a lot of flavor, and you can easily enjoy the izakaya atmosphere just by transferring it to a plate and arranging it on the table.

◆Sava canned bread omelet

I am trying to make a bread omelet that can be used as a main dish or as a side dish. I was worried that it would be a fishy omelette, but I ended up with a dish that didn't taste fishy but had the flavor of the canned mackerel juice. Since it comes with a baguette, it's filling enough to make a satisfying meal, and it's likely to become a staple at our house in the future.

black pepper flavor

The latest product in the series, Black Pepper Flavor, is an adult flavor that stimulates your appetite with the spiciness of pepper. It's so delicious that you can eat it as is without any arrangement, and you won't be able to stop using your chopsticks. It goes well with beer and is recommended as an evening drink.

◆Sava canned garlic rice

"Garlic rice with canned mackerel" is an easy recipe that can be completed by simply adding the ingredients to the rice cooker.
Garlic chips and mackerel go great together. Thanks to the canned juice containing plenty of sauteed onions, you can make highly complete garlic rice without the need for special seasonings.

in conclusion

"Sava Can" is an original Western-style canned food from Iwate Prefecture that was created in response to the recovery from the earthquake.
It was a pioneer of the gourmet canned food boom, and continues to drive the canned food boom to this day with its stylish design and delicious taste. Canned Sava is a versatile product that can be eaten as is or arranged into other ways, making it a perfect gift.
Please give it a try!

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