Sardines, or pilchards, are a group of several types of small, oily fishrelated to herrings, family Clupeidae. Sardines were named after the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where they were once in abundance.

As a food, sardines are rich in minerals. They can be consumed in a variety of ways—grilled, pickled, or smoked, to name three—though canned sardines are most popular worldwide.