Tuna Fish

I remember back in the 50's and 60's when I had my Davy Crockett Lunch Box, Mom made use tuna sandwiches. I remember seeing large flakes in the tuna can that looked like real tuna. Am I mistaken, or did the Tuna shrink down to the size of Trout.  What the heck are they using to make Tuna in the Bumble Bee Tuna plant, Guppies ????????
 

Looks as if you got chunk instead of solid.

I can't see the side of the can but I'm pretty sure it says "Friskie's" on it.

It looks to me that you opened a can of "chunk" tuna, instead of a can of "solid" tuna.  "Chunk" tuna is made from the scraps and trimmings from the "solid" tuna canning (and has been for quite a while).  After all, they don't specify on the can how big the "chunks" are going to be, and on their website they state, "Chunk White Albacore comes pre-separated to make mixing in tuna salads easier than ever."  They are doing you a favor, and you didn't even know it!

RC51Mike


I can't see the side of the can but I'm pretty sure it says "Friskie's" on it.

That's what I thought also, I found myself fighting with the dogs after eating a so called Tuna Sandwich.......

6star


It looks to me that you opened a can of "chunk" tuna, instead of a can of "solid" tuna.  "Chunk" tuna is made from the scraps and trimmings from the "solid" tuna canning (and has been for quite a while).  After all, they don't specify on the can how big the "chunks" are going to be, and on their website they state, "Chunk White Albacore comes pre-separated to make mixing in tuna salads easier than ever."  They are doing you a favor, and you didn't even know it!

I didn't ask for a favor, I wanted bigger flakes. If I called and asked for a favor, I would have been transfered to a 100 different departments. That would like having my customer order a nice Salmon Filet then serving them a  minced Salmon cake saying it's easier to eat..............wonder how long I would stay in business..............

This past suummer, I picked up a couple of cans of "chunk" tuna by mistake.  I was going to make tuna-macaroni salad.  I could not believe my eyes when I opened the cans and saw the pulverized contents.  I, honestly, thought that I had gotten cans that had been processed incorrectly.  I called the company (think it may have been) Chicken of the Sea and explained to them.  They carefully told me that what I had was chunk tuna and that was the way it looked  I told them that I could not possibly use it in my recipe and they gracioulsly told me how sorry they were and wanted to send me some free coupons.
 
I cheerfully  agreed and used the tuna for sandwiches,  A week later, my free coupons came  ................four coupons; each one good for a can of CHUNK tuna.  I laughed over that  for a week.

Greymo


This past suummer, I picked up a couple of cans of "chunk" tuna by mistake.  I was going to make tuna-macaroni salad.  I could not believe my eyes when I opened the cans and saw the pulverized contents.  I, honestly, thought that I had gotten cans that had been processed incorrectly.  I called the company (think it may have been) Chicken of the Sea and explained to them.  They carefully told me that what I had was chunk tuna and that was the way it looked  I told them that I could not possibly use it in my recipe and they gracioulsly told me how sorry they were and wanted to send me some free coupons.

I cheerfully  agreed and used the tuna for sandwiches,  A week later, my free coupons came  ................four coupons; each one good for a can of CHUNK tuna.  I laughed over that  for a week.

Greymo, great story, you had me laughing, still hungry, but laughing...............

When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

In addition to economics where the cost of true tuna species has gone through the roof, there's also conservation concerns. Much of the canned tuna species we ate as kids are endangered or near endangered and no longer harvested for canning. Many of the canned product besides albacore are tuna related species like skipjack. Even albacore which is the solid white tuna is getting a hit especially with children's lunch programs and medical authorities that are warning about mercury. Parental concerns caused us to stop using it and we only use the darker skipjack for the kid's lunches.

Just like they have cut the weight of the cans. What goes in the can sucks these days. I find the pouches to be better. Plus you do not may for all that liqued weight.

I'm waiting for that BBQ Restaurant owner, Rood Food loved, World Renowned, Camera friendly, one and only Chewingthefat to hone in on this dilemma..............Chewy is an expert on C -Store Tuna sandwiches....

Way back in high school, one of my favorite after school snacks was a tuna sandwich, made with Chicken of the Sea tuna and good ole' Hellman's mayo. One day I was eating my sandwich when I said, "geee this tastes odd..." I was hungry so finished up then went to the kitchen where I saw a fresh empty can of Friskies, tuna flavor...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ecchh.
 
 I HATE what they've done to tuna, and belive me I KNOW how to shop. I can pick out  tuna in oil or water according to my needs and wants. PLEASE bring back decent oil packed tuna.

Hmmm. First season SNL with Albert Brook's realistic pseudo-commercials that you didn't know were spoofs until you were half way into them. Kitterbits supermarket taste test. Only season they did that...and the last season I watched.
 
You don't need them to bring back oil packed Kathy. You can do it yourself...even better with regular water pack and herb infused oils for more flavor, much less fluid leaching, and easier combining with mayo. Check my previous post on the subject rather then repeat it here again.

ScreamingChicken


When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

I'll still put the contents of a can of solid tuna on a plate, along with a can of King Oscar brisling sardines and some sliced onion, and then I salt and pepper the tuna and the sardines and add some good olive oil.

Michael Hoffman

ScreamingChicken


When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

I'll still put the contents of a can of solid tuna on a plate, along with a can of King Oscar brisling sardines and some sliced onion, and then I salt and pepper the tuna and the sardines and add some good olive oil.

that meal is yelling for a brew

You mean milk is wrong?

Michael Hoffman


You mean milk is wrong?

You may need milk, but a brew, and I know you, a Brew it would be. Open some windows to.....

You drink a good ale with that repast.......................milk is for donuts!

ScreamingChicken


When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

Ditto!

Michael Hoffman

ScreamingChicken


When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

I'll still put the contents of a can of solid tuna on a plate, along with a can of King Oscar brisling sardines and some sliced onion, and then I salt and pepper the tuna and the sardines and add some good olive oil.

I need to do that but substitute anchovies!
BTW, Costco is carrying a great Tuna, solid, not drowning in cheap oil, 6 cans to a pack, under $2.00 a can.

PNWCHEF


I'm waiting for that BBQ Restaurant owner, Rood Food loved, World Renowned, Camera friendly, one and only Chewingthefat to hone in on this dilemma..............Chewy is an expert on C -Store Tuna sandwiches....

I didn't get to this post before I posted, but just so everyone will know, I have a book coming out, Doubleday, next month, titled "TUNA...Something is Fishy", 600 pages, great pics, but mostly Tunafish horror stories, not for the weak of heart. Going to be doing signings all over the Country! Tuna talks to me!!

chewingthefat

Michael Hoffman

ScreamingChicken


When I was younger a favorite snack was chunk tuna in oil, eaten straight from the can...utensils optional.

I'll still put the contents of a can of solid tuna on a plate, along with a can of King Oscar brisling sardines and some sliced onion, and then I salt and pepper the tuna and the sardines and add some good olive oil.

I need to do that but substitute anchovies!
BTW, Costco is carrying a great Tuna, solid, not drowning in cheap oil, 6 cans to a pack, under $2.00 a can.

I sometimes add a can of rolled anchovy fillets with capers to the plate.

fishtaco


Just like they have cut the weight of the cans. What goes in the can sucks these days. I find the pouches to be better. Plus you do not may for all that liqued weight.

Yep, the pouches are a good thing!!

I really feel terrible about the fact that I'll be in nashville when Tom is signing books at the Barnes and Noble at Easton in Columbus.

I could see a kids show coming out of this, the name will be "Tom the Tuna" with Tom reading from the book from a row boat in Chesapeake bay....

I absolutely love the rolled anhcovies-comes to mind that I have to stuff my pantry with them!

Mmm, Italian tuna packed in good olive oil ;)

PNWCHEF


I could see a kids show coming out of this, the name will be "Tom the Tuna" with Tom reading from the book from a row boat in Chesapeake bay....

I 'd rather be "Tom the Fourna" as I'm twice as good as Tuna!

I've been eating canned tuna for 60 years and I think the Bumble Bee Prime Filet Solid White Albacore is as good or better than ever. It comes in a gold 5 oz. can and is marked Gourmet Tuna. The stuff in the bag is ok, but I prefer this. Jmho, pb

Tuna is pretty much the only fish I'll eat, and it has to be solid white albacore in water. Since I no longer eat mayo, traditional tuna fish sandwiches are a thing of the past for me. I'll mix it with Italian dressing for tuna melts (or just with crackers or potato chips), or on top of a spinach salad.
As a kid, I'd eat it straight from the can, spiffed up with a little onion powder and garlic salt.

I still eat it straight from the can, or dumped onto a mound of cottage cheese with some diced tomato.  Love the stuff. 

A pint of Sour Cream, a package or 2 of Lipton onion soup, as many cans of Tuna, both chunk and solid, in oil, drained, as you like, mixed together, great dip!

porkbeaks


I've been eating canned tuna for 60 years and I think the Bumble Bee Prime Filet Solid White Albacore is as good or better than ever. It comes in a gold 5 oz. can and is marked Gourmet Tuna. The stuff in the bag is ok, but I prefer this. Jmho, pb

It has to be good, seven words in the name " Bumble Bee Prime Filet Solid White Albacore" I'll try it and see if your 60 years of Tuna knowledge is on the mark, I have a strange feeling it is........

The Tuna that Tom mentioned...Kirtland Solid Albacore...the house brand at Costco fills the bill for us very well.
 
We looked at the Yellowfin Tuna Steaks Saturday on our monthly Costco run...but the price has jumped from $8.00 a lb to $13.00..so they remain in the store, but LAMB RIBS dropped from $12 a lb to $10 a lb. So we got two nice racks for a lamb dinner sometime this week. The grandkid doesn't like lamb...so he can make some Chicken Nuggets for all I care, while Janet and I enjoy the Lamb !!
 
Michael, I'll skip the sardines and in their slot open a can of the King Oscar Smoked Oysters, and use the oil in that can as a topper for the whole mess.

Mr. Mayor, I've tried the smoked oysters with the tuna AND the sardines. Not bad at all.

There is a River Road brand seasoning packet for tuna. I buy it at the French Market in NO. That makes the best tuna I have ever eaten. Be sure to use the right amount (given on the package) or it will be too spicey. 

The best tuna sandwich I ever ate was the one my Mother used to make for me on Saturdays when I was a kid.  Tuna salad with black olives on her homemade bread, dipped in egg on both sides, then fried. Delicious.   

lleechef, the best Tuna I ever had was at a small store named Mickey's. The guy behind the counter " Mickey" with nicotine stained fingers and sucking on a cigar, would whip up tuna sands on thin sliced wonder bread for 10 cents, a bottle of  national soda would be another nickel making the grand total 15 cents. The memory of a bunch of young 12 year olds playing baseball all day made this the best sandwich in the world......................The ham & Cheese sands were 25 cents, that was for the rich kids.

A time or 2 a week, Wegmanns takes it's fresh tuna that isn't sold by a certain date, cooks it, adds olive oil, celery, probably Old Bay or something similiar, and who knows what else, Mayo, of course, and turns out a honkin, Tuna Salad. Expensive, make that very expensive, but Lordy it's good!

I've been partial to Trader Joe's Tongol Tuna (no added salt in water) for several years; unfortunately, they lost their supplier and are looking for a new one. They were still using 6.5 ounce cans, so I was very surprised to find that the cans of tuna in the supermarket are down to 5 ounces. It wreaks havoc on recipes. Well, when they get down to 4 ounces, I can just use 2 cans for where my recipes call for one 8(!) ounce can.
 
In the meantime, I'm trying Chicken of the Sea Chunk White (trying for something mild-medium flavored with more omega 3's than solid white).
 
Bart

Anyone ever tried anything like this? $8.99 for less than 4 oz. plus shipping, it better be good.
http://www.igourmet.com/s...rodview.aspx?prod=7432

I have never spent the big bucks for for any of their products, but Ortiz stuff is highly regarded.

That's it!  Tuna sandwich for today's lunch.
Made sure that it was solid albacore, packed in water.
 
Thank you for showing me the difference.

I asked my wife to pick up some Starkiss Solid white albacore tuna packed in water. There wasn't much water in the can, the flakes were nice and large. The tuna works well as tuna salad because it accepts the spices and mayo well, nice meaty taste to the sandwich. I never really liked the packed in water, I always had oil......

Up here in the NW there are still some local tuna fisherman and canners.  Two Guys Tuna and High Seas Tuna are two of the best.  I think the High Seas Smoked Albacore is one of the best seafoods I've eaten, and I used to work across from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, and have lunch daily in the neighborhood.

Geisha solid white in water usually. Mixed with mayo with pickles and chips on the side.

Guess you need to buy the chunk tuna.And not to gross anyone out, but the Daily Mail has a story about a woman who was eating canned tuna,and found the head of some sort of creature in it.
After looking at these photos,may not eat canned tuna again.

porkbeaks


I've been eating canned tuna for 60 years and I think the Bumble Bee Prime Filet Solid White Albacore is as good or better than ever. It comes in a gold 5 oz. can and is marked Gourmet Tuna. The stuff in the bag is ok, but I prefer this. Jmho, pb

pb, your right, this is a good tuna. The tuna has a good clean taste makes a great tuna sandwich. If the Chunk Tuna is flaked off of larger chunks, then it should taste like solid tuna. I think they may be fooling us....................
 

pnwchef, I have a can of that same tuna in my cupboard right now, and it is indeed good stuff.
 
Our problem over the past number of years has been consistency -- there does not seem to be that much consistency between brands, the quality of product seems to come and go in each.  It seems to depend on the can you open.  I've always thought Bumblebee should be good, and it usually is, but sometimes not.  Starkist and Chicken of the Sea have been less desirable, over time, but sometimes can be pretty good.
 
We have gone pretty much exclusively to the more expensive cans, and want albacore when we can get it.  For low-fat concerns in the past, we used to only buy tuna in water, but for us the taste has been far better in the oil-packed.  Maybe that's just us, changing tastebuds.
 
One exception is Starkist's Select Chunk White Albacore in Water, with Very Low Sodium.  We don't buy it for the low sodium, but because it seems to consistently be a real good product, clean and fresh.  It's more expensive -- hopefully that relates to more care taken with the product. 
 
But in general, we have come to expect any tuna to be a crapshoot that we will not win or lose until we open the can.
 
And as others have said here, the smaller cans do wreak havoc with recipes, but I wonder if going to larger cans would not deliver us larger pieces of the good stuff?  Often there is some unfortunate looking debris in the bottom of the can that we discard. 
 
I'd like to get into some of the fancier tunas from overseas, but we live in the white bread boonies out here, and do not have the opportunities available without travel.

easydoesit.......I agree with you, the oil will always have a better flavor.  If I'm eating the Albacore by it self, I Take the water added Solid while Albacore, drain the can well. I then take a good EVOO and drizzle over the top of the Albacore while it's still in the can. If I'm using the Tuna in a Sandwich I'm not as worried. I'm combining the Tuna with Chopped pickle, onions and celery, salt & Pepper and a heavy duty mayo. I made this Albacore salad this morning, it was the best Tuna salad sand I have had for a while. I saw they have a cannery on the Oregon Coast, I plan on looking into it this summer...........pnwc

pnwchef

porkbeaks


I've been eating canned tuna for 60 years and I think the Bumble Bee Prime Filet Solid White Albacore is as good or better than ever. It comes in a gold 5 oz. can and is marked Gourmet Tuna. The stuff in the bag is ok, but I prefer this. Jmho, pb

pb, your right, this is a good tuna. The tuna has a good clean taste makes a great tuna sandwich. If the Chunk Tuna is flaked off of larger chunks, then it should taste like solid tuna. I think they may be fooling us....................

Happy to hear you liked the tuna. I too drain the water and add high quality evoo to the mix on occasion. I wonder if anyone is familiar with this brand from Thailand. It gets some favorable reviews aNd, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, the shipping is free. Check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/Cro...&qid=1330114874&sr=1-2