I got these Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon at the same time as some of their spiced sardines, which really liked. I'm afraid this time things would be quite different.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.
This really looks great. Nice pink skipjack tuna. Substantial chunks of meat. I don't see any actual lemon, but at least there's not an overabundance of thyme.
But here's where things went south. The aroma, and subsequently a taste of the canning liquid, a "light brine", were eerily reminiscent of a certain lemon-scented disinfectant spray. And the disappointment didn't end there.
A taste of the fish revealed the brine had successfully infused the meat with the offending flavoring. I guess that's what brines are supposed to do to meat, though. They're intended to preserve moisture, tenderize and flavor the meat soaked in them.
It Gets Worse
I put the fish out over rice, and cautiously poured a modest amount of the lemon-thyme brine over the meat.
Digging in, I found the pieces hard to separate with a fork. Bite after bite, I couldn't help but remark to myself how utterly dry this tuna was. It was as if the brine and the lemon and thyme had done everything exactly the opposite of what they were supposed to do. And altogether it made this quite possibly some of the worst tuna I've ever eaten.
I could have stopped any time, but I continued to hope the $8.49 wouldn't be a total waste. Rather than throw it out, I thought, "what's the worst some chili crisp can do, now?" So I applied a little of a spicier variety I happened to have on hand. Unbelievably, the lemon disinfectant overtone managed to cut through even still.
I really wanted to like this, primarily based on how impressed I was with the sardines I'd had before. But sorry, no. I also have to wonder if things would have been vastly different had this been packed in olive oil, rather than a brine. Unfortunately, Maria Organic doesn't appear to offer such a combination.
If it matters, this can was packed December 2023 (L345/23). The carton says PT N3531, but the can says PT C2171P.
Main Takeaways
- Off-putting aroma and flavor
- Very dry tuna
- Utter disappointment
Brand: 100 Misterios / Maria Organic
Description: Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon
Species: Katsuamo (Katsuwonus) pelamis (Skipjack)
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $8-9