This is a name for several species of herring-like fish. The most well-known is the European pilchard. These fish live in the sea and should not be confused with anchovies, which come from the Baltic Sea and are of lower quality.

It contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese, a range of B vitamins and selenium.

It has a sweet and salty taste and a neutral to warm nature. They support the function of the stomach, spleen and kidneys. They warm the stomach and spleen and increase libido. It is not advisable to consume them if suffering from skin diseases.