Listen and follow The Wirecutter ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadioTinned fish is having a moment. While countries like Portugal and Spain have long appreciated preserved seafood as a culinary art form, only recently has it caught on as a high-end appetizer in the United States. For the uninitiated, it can be hard to know which cans you’ll like and which are worth the steep price tags.In this episode, we chat with Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston about her extensive testing of over 100 cans. She breaks down how to choose ones you’ll like, the right ways to serve them, and her favorite tinned fish to serve.Also, if you want to see a tinned fish tasting, check out Marguerite in Wirecutter’s new taste tests series on YouTubeThis episode coversHow to choose a tinned fish you’ll like: If you're sensitive to certain textures or "fishiness," skip the mackerel, oilier fish, and mollusks, and instead start with trout, tuna, or salmon. These are typically milder with more approachable flavor and texture.Why oil-packed fish wins: In Wirecutter’s testing, we found that oil-packed seafood generally had better texture and flavor, whereas water-packed seafood tended to be dryer.How to build a delightful fish board: If you want to serve tinned fish as an appetizer, add a selection of pickles and olives, thin crackers, bread, lemon wedges, and even chopped herbs.Where to shop: If your local store lacks good options, specialized retailers like Rainbow Tomatoes Garden or Caputo’s offer curated selections to help you choose without the guesswork.Products we recommendTop pickWarm, complex curryABC+ Trout in CurryWe loved the warmly spiced, creamy yellow curry sauce in this tin of trout.$20 from Portugalia Marketplace$25 from Murray’s CheeseTop pickSweet and smokeyFishwife Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili FlakesSweet, savory, and deeply smoked, this meaty mackerel was a crowd favorite.$7 from Amazon$32 from Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co.(pack of three)Top pickFishy foie grasMinnow Cod LiverDon’t be put off by the appearance: This fatty fish liver is genuinely luxurious.$10 from Big NightBuy from InstacartTop pickSmoky and meatyWildfish Cannery Smoked SalmonThe smoked salmons from this Alaskan cannery are all distinct and delightful, with meaty smoke flavor and a nice balance of sweetness and salt.Buy from Wildfish CanneryTop pickFresh lemon flavorRamón Peña Mackerel in Olive Oil and LemonThe lemon flavor in this tin of mackerel fillets was the most balanced, bright, and fresh-tasting of any lemony fish we tried.$13 from Amazon