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Published on Leave a comment on Trader Joe’s Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO

I happened to notice this can of Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO during a recent visit there. Four things caught my eye: yellowfin tuna, solid, EVOO and $2.49. Let's see if it was worth it.

Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO can
Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice looking tuna with large solid chunks. The oil is transparent, lacking the color one might expect from extra virgin olive oil. A sip of it is largely neutral, with no real taste of either the oil or the fish packed in it. This SKU was previously designated simply "in olive oil".

A nibble of the tuna is encouraging. A very mild flavor with only a hint of tuna "tang". It seems moist enough, with a firm texture. The chunks are as thick as the can is deep, with very little debris. I thought it could use a touch more salt.

Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO over rice

I was able to remove the tuna out over rice in reasonably large intact chunks. The residual oil in the can was only about a tablespoon, so I poured it over the fish. The net weight was 4.5 oz. with the dry weight only a half ounce less.

As I ate several bites, I began to notice a bit of dryness, but in no way a deal-breaker. Yellowfin tuna is my preference, and I thought this one was a good value, overall.

Kicking It Up
Trader Joe's Yellowfin Tuna in EVOO over rice with Maya Kaimal Chili Crisp

I had a new chili crisp I wanted to try, so this seemed like an opportune moment. I had gotten several new ones from the recent Amazon Black Friday sale. Maya Kaimal Chili Crisp is a bit of a different take, featuring Indian spices including mustard seed, curry leaves, turmeric and star anise.

The spice level is low to moderate and the Aleppo and red chili flakes provide a steady undertone of heat. Unlike most chili crisps whose oils are tinged red, this one's is yellow, courtesy of the turmeric, I assume. Lots of sesame seeds and large bits of crispy onion.

Main Takeaways
  • Solid chunks of tuna with mild flavor
  • Good net/dry weight ratio
  • A tad dry, needed salt

I'd have no problem recommending this one, and would buy it again as an all-purpose canned tuna.

Brand: Trader Joe's
Description: Solid Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Species: Thunnus albacares
Country of Origin: American Samoa
Source: FAO81, Southwest Pacific
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Published on Leave a comment on Starkist Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO

Yep, you read that right, Starkist. This upgraded tuna packed in EVOO from them has been around a few years. But it only recently came up on my radar. Actually, the fact that the can reads Solid Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO is what got my attention. I wanted to try the plain version, but it was only available in a 4-pack. That would still have been under $8. Instead, I went with this roasted garlic version, just $2.14 per can at Walmart. There was also a lemon dill flavor, but my interest was more in the tuna itself. Let's see if I'll be going back for more.

Starkist Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO lid
Starkist Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

Not bad looking tuna. Some intact muscle peeking through there. No overt aroma of tuna or garlic to speak of. A sip of the oil is neutral, and still doesn't reveal anything of the seasoning. Another thing I noticed is there's not much oil. The net weight is 4.5 oz. The listed dry weight is only slightly less at 4 oz. That's noteworthy.

I poked around a bit before de-canning. That in the upper part of the photo, what looks like tuna debris, is actually confined to just the top. Underneath a very thin layer of it is rock-solid tuna.

I used the debris as an initial tasting sample. It has a soft, moist texture. The tuna flavor is mild, but I'm not really getting much in the way of garlic. It says roasted, so the expectation would be of something more mellow than fresh garlic. Instead, my impression is, if anything, of lemon. Unless that's included in "natural flavors", I can't say why I perceive that. Perhaps it's what happens when "dehydrated garlic, roasted garlic" meets a nice, mild tuna with only a hint of that inherent tuna "tang". Regardless, I liked it.

Let's See What We've Got Here
Starkist Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO over rice

I just realized there's a setting on my camera that lets tuna, when dumped out over rice, look more like it does in reality.

You can see the solid chunks, which are as thick as the can is deep. Whatever garlic is in there isn't perceptible to the naked eye.

I worked my way through half of it as-is, until I was satisfied with my opinion, which was a definite positive.

If you've been following along for any amount of time, you know what I did next.

Yes, and this time it's Momoya Chili Oil with Fried Garlic (Taberu Rayu ). It supplies the requisite amount of crunchy garlic, but with a hint of sweetness and a decidedly peanut-y character. The label is entirely in Japanese, but from what I can gather, it does not contain peanuts. Of the dozen or so jars of chili crisp I have, it's a favorite. It's not too salty, so it really complemented the flavor of this tuna.

One thing I noticed that has me puzzled. There's no country of origin listed on the label. Starkist produces flavored tuna in pouches that state it next to the best by date. Also absent is the expected California Prop 65 warning.

Starkist Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in EVOO label

Attractively priced in quantity at Amazon.

Main Takeaways
  • Quality, mild tuna flavor and solid chunks of it
  • Not sure what to say about the garlic, or the lack of it
  • Priced right, high QPR

Brand: Starkist
Description: Solid Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Species: Thunnus albacares
Country of Origin: NS
Source: FAO NS
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.5 oz.
Price Range: $2