Vendace of Lake Puruvesi in Organic Olive Oil is a handmade tinned fish delicacy, crafted in our artisanal production space in Tohmajärvi, Eastern Finland. The fish are caught by our own young fishing crew, led by fisherwoman Karoliina Lehtimäki, using a traditional small-scale method known as winter seining — a unique practice performed on the frozen Lake Puruvesi. 

The tin contains small freshwater fish called vendace, organic olive oil, and salt. The product is ready to eat and perfect in salads, with pasta or potatoes, on bread, or even as a pizza topping.

Why Choose Our Fish?

HEALTHY AND PURE: Lake Puruvesi is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, classified as excellent in quality. These pristine conditions produce exceptionally healthy fish. Puruvesi vendace are particularly rich in vitamin D (19 mg/100g) and contain virtually no mercury.

TRADITIONAL: The earliest records of winter seining on Lake Puruvesi date back to the 1300s. This culturally significant practice has continued uninterrupted to this day. Finland is the only country in Europe where winter seining still takes place.

ECOLOGICAL: Winter seining in Puruvesi is a sustainable fishing method that maintains a healthy lake ecosystem. The carbon footprint of seine-caught vendace is half that of trawled vendace. Our non-profit cooperative also practices ecological restoration to enhance biodiversity, improve
freshwater conditions, and restore carbon sinks.

ARTISANAL AND HIGH-QUALITY: Our fishers transport the catch directly to our production facility, just 50 km from Lake Puruvesi. The fish are stored overnight at +1°C, packed in ice, and processed the following morning. Each fish is cleaned, salted, and packed into tins by hand, ensuring careful quality control and freshness.

We ship accross the EU. Order yours by sending a mail to contact@snowchange.org