Agenda Cultural Lisboa
June — 2011
Canned sardines
Food preservation has existed from time immemorial, but it was only in the nineteenth century that the first scientifically based processes and techniques appeared, and so did the first cans. Portuguese preserves are famous for being the best in the world. Tricana tinned food, produced exclusively for the renowned Conservaria de Lisboa, are a classic example in popular culture and in national cuisine. The appealing retro paper labels are combined with the ironic sardine in different versions. Renewing tradition, José Gourmet wagers on the best and most genuine Portuguese products, where the illustrious sardine can be seen to have a prominent presence. Funded em 2008 by Adriano Casal Ribeiro, this brand also aims to create an innovative image in each product. Launched on the market in 2010, the cans have been illustrated by André Letria, Gémeo Luís and André da Loba, among other Portuguese artists and they have become the object of desire of many collectors. “In charge of the graphic design of José Gourmet is Luís Mendonça (Gémeo Luís), who was given enough freedom to release his amazing creative energy. We want to reclaim products with a high food quality, and that also means to restore memory and promote our identity. The best way to celebrate our patrimony is to guarantee that it becomes an integral part of our daily lives. Our goal is to attract the client to our products by using an appealing package, and then surprise and ensure him/her loyalty by/through the palate”, claims the brand’s founding member. Tradition is still what it used to be.
