JOSE Gourmet Fish Pâté 4-piece gift set. Four Portuguese fish pâtés in one box – tuna, sardine, and two types of mackerel.
The JOSE Gourmet Fish Pâté 4-piece gift set is a box containing four spreadable fish pâtés from the Portuguese brand José Gourmet. Inside, you’ll find tuna mousse, sardine mousse, mackerel mousse with red pepper, and spicy mackerel with piri-piri. Four tins of 75 g each, totaling 300 g, each featuring its own unique illustration.
The fish pâté set from José Gourmet brings a Portuguese tradition to your table. A pâté is a fine, spreadable cream made from cooked fish. In Portugal, it is commonly served before a meal, accompanied by bread, butter, and olives. At José Gourmet, all four varieties share the same base of olive oil, tomato, vinegar, and salt. The difference lies in the fish and the seasoning. The box brings together four varieties, from mild tuna to spicy mackerel with piri-piri. With this, you have a complete appetizer ready for an evening – or a gift that can be opened right at the table.
Taste
Four tins, four characters: The set ranges from mild and rounded to spicy with a noticeable kick. The sardine mousse is the classic variety. It consists of over 50 percent sardines and has a distinct taste of the sea—bold and full-bodied, just as sardines should taste. Tomato and vinegar provide a light freshness, while the olive oil makes it creamy. If you like canned sardines, you will feel right at home here.
Mackerel is included twice, in two very different seasonings. In Portugal, mackerel is among the “peixes azuis,” the fatty fish with dark, aromatic flesh. José Gourmet describes the mackerel mousse with red pepper as creamy and gently spiced. This means the pepper warms, but barely burns.
The spicy mackerel is the liveliest tin in the set. It is seasoned with piri-piri, the small chili pepper that belongs to chicken and fish dishes in Portugal. Here, the spiciness is more forward, yet the flavor of the fish still comes through clearly. If you prefer it very mild, it is best to try this one last.
The tuna mousse is the mildest variety and is often the entry point for those trying fish cream for the first time. It consists of 55 percent tuna, with a little red pepper providing a subtle warmth. According to the manufacturer, the tuna is sourced from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
All four are finely pureed and can be spread straight from the tin. If you are expecting whole pieces of fish, these pâtés might not be what you are looking for. For that, consider the 4-piece gift set with sardines and mackerel fillets.
Usage
The easiest way to enjoy the pâtés is just as they are served in Portugal: on bread as a small appetizer before a meal. They pair well with toasted baguette or country bread, a small bowl of olives, and a well-chilled white wine. That is all you need for an evening on the balcony.
Luís Baena is responsible for the recipes on the José Gourmet website. For the mackerel pâté with red pepper, for instance, he suggests thin crêpes spread with the pâté and rolled up. Another one of his ideas: mackerel pâté with white beans, basil, and peperoncino. This makes for a quick dinner if you have a jar of beans in the cupboard.
He likes the tuna pâté in a Russian salad, combined with potatoes, peas, and carrots. Or in a basmati rice salad with almonds and curry mayonnaise. José Gourmet also recommends the mackerel for picnics—the small tin fits into any bag. The sardine mousse pairs well with bold ingredients: red onion, capers, or a few drops of lemon. The spicy mackerel with piri-piri likes a mild counterpart, such as cucumber slices, a boiled egg, or a dollop of cream cheese.
The pâtés also work well as a dip: mixed with a spoonful of cream cheese or yogurt, served with vegetable sticks like carrot, cucumber, and bell pepper. Place the tins on the table fifteen minutes before serving. At room temperature, the pâtés become softer and their flavor more rounded. Transfer any opened tins into a glass container with a lid, place it in the refrigerator, and consume within the next few days.
Our tip: Turn it into a small tasting. Four small bowls, toasted bread, and then taste in order—tuna, sardine, mackerel with red pepper, and finally the spicy mackerel with piri-piri.
Origin
José Gourmet is a Portuguese brand for canned fish, pâtés, and other fine foods. It is backed by the company 100MISTERIOS, Lda. The name is a nod to all Josés. The Hebrew root of the name means "he who adds." That is exactly what the brand claims it wants to do: add value between those who produce quality goods and those who appreciate them.
They select artisan-produced goods with quality ingredients, aiming to preserve their natural properties. José Gourmet focuses on fair, honest relationships with both suppliers and customers—that is how the brand describes its own standards.
The packaging is striking. Designer Luis Mendonça has been responsible for the design and art direction from the beginning. The tins feature illustrations by now around 55 artists. Each variety is accompanied by a short story by Eugénio Roda. According to the manufacturer, the packaging is made from recycled material. It is intended to live on as collectibles after the meal—as pen holders, on a shelf, or on a bulletin board.
For whom
The set is a gift for everyone who enjoys eating and for whom you don’t want to bring flowers anymore. It works as a guest gift, a small thank-you for neighbors, or a greeting for friends who love Portugal. And it is the perfect pantry staple for evenings when you prefer not to use the stove.
The box is also a great starting point for fish cream newcomers: four varieties at once quickly reveal which one you like best. The tuna mousse and the spicy mackerel mousse are also available individually in our shop. Available individually, though not included in this set, is the trout mousse with port wine. You can find the brand's canned goods on our José Gourmet page, and further tins under canned fish.
All four pâtés contain fish, and the spicy mackerel also contains sulfites from the vinegar. Detailed information on each variety can be found in the product data. This set is not suitable for those who prefer to eat fish in whole pieces—in that case, opt for the brand's canned fish.
Four fish pâtés from Portugal in one box—tuna, sardine, and two types of mackerel for bread, balconies, and visitors.
