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Published on Leave a comment on Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon

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.

Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon carton
Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon open can
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
Maria Organic Tuna Fillets in Light Brine and Thyme-Lemon over rice

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

Published on Leave a comment on Minerva Limited Edition Tuna Filets A Poveira

This Minerva Limited Edition Tuna Filets A Poveira is from a recent International Loft order. As with other limited edition Minerva offerings, the can is encased in a dark, shiny gun metal blue wrapper, inserted into a sleeve printed in metallic red and gold graphics. When I ordered it, I mistakenly thought it was "a poveira", and meant "with pepper". While that sounded intriguing, it was completely wrong. But it turned out well.

Minerva Limited Edition Tuna Filets A Poveira carton
Minerva Limited Edition Tuna Filets A Poveira open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Those are some nice chunks of tuna. Two big filets that reach all the way to the bottom of the can. No pieces parts hiding underneath here. There's an earthy, vegetal aroma. A sip of the oil is similar. There's no heat, but it is seasoned. There's some parsley on top. The meat is a dark pink, and it's hard to tell if the reddish tinge of the olive oil is skewing it darker than it actually is.

Reading the label reveals they are immersed in a concoction of olive oil, onion, vinegar, paprika, spices (unnamed) and salt. A bite of the meat has a strong tuna flavor. Some quick research shows it's skipjack, a species often caught in the environs of Portugal. This fact was obscured by the importer's label covering the original carton labeling. Even with the marinade, it has a slightly dry mouthfeel, but it's not off-putting.

Let's Dive In
Minerva Limited Edition Tuna Filets A Poveira over rice

I was able to extract both filets from the can fairly intact. Dumping them over rice, they were followed by some slivers of onion. I also emptied the rest of the marinade content over everything.

I busied myself flaking the filets apart. The meat is firm, yet the layers parted easily.

As I ate, I could detect the subtle note of the vinegar through the flavor of the fish and onion. The salt level is a low 140mg.

I briefly considered digging out some condiment to see how it went with this, but ultimately decided against it. I wouldn't be averse, however, to making this tuna the star of some type of tuna-centric dish.

What's "A Poveira"?

Well, it momentarily escaped me that Minerva is a brand produced by Conservas A Poveira. It also appears that the word "Poveira" is an adjective referring to the city of Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. So, it's kind of like this tuna is by A Poveira, in the Poveira style. Or something like that.

This was a little spendy at $8, but I don't feel it was overpriced. If I find another comparable to it for less, I'll let you know.

Main Takeaways
  • Nice solid chunks of tuna filet
  • Stronger skipjack tuna flavor
  • The seasoning is subtle, but complements the tuna well

Brand: A Poveira/MInerva
Description: Limited Edition Tuna Filet A Poveira
Species: Katsuwonus pelamis (Skipjack)
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.25 oz.
Price Range: $8

Published on Leave a comment on Freshé Provence Nicoise Tuna Meal

This Freshé Provence Nicoise Tuna Meal is one of a handful offered by EcoFish, who also market the Henry & Lisa's sardines. It's in the same vein as the Patagonia Provisions Sardines & Beans, intended to be an all-in-one, quick, on-the-go meal. Freshé calls theirs "gourmet meals", and there are currently four tuna and two salmon based varieties.

Freshé Provence Nicoise Tuna Meal can
Freshé Provence Nicoise Tuna Meal open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: Where's the fish?

All the "meal" ingredients are on top. It looked a little gloppy at first, so I "tossed" the toppings a bit for the photo. The fish is in a single layer underneath it all. The aroma is vinegary, briny, not fishy at all. The list includes potato, red bell pepper, green beans, olives, garlic, red wine vinegar and skipjack tuna.

While flavorful, the dressing, for lack of a better word, is the primary taste. It has a tendency to overpower the remaining ingredients. And, since it has marinated the fish in the bottom of the can, the taste of the tuna is almost indiscernible.

I guess this would be fine to throw a couple of cans in the backpack for a hike, or to take the edge off until the next meal stop on a road trip.

Main Takeaways
  • A kitchen sink of ingredients
  • Overpowering dressing masks tuna flavor
  • Might do in a pinch as a shelf-stable back up

This was around $4 at Walmart. They are not competitively priced at Amazon.

Brand: EcoFish, Inc. / Freshé
Description: Tuna meal
Species: Skipjack
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27?
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $4-5

Published on Leave a comment on Trader Joe’s Skipjack Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil

I bought this Trader Joe's Skipjack Tuna Fillets hoping that somehow it might exceed the expectations one might have of regular supermarket variety canned skipjack tuna. The results were uneven.

Trader Joe's Skipjack Tuna Fillets can
Trader Joe's Skipjack Tuna Fillets open can
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

This is an unusual can configuration for tuna. Normally, a premium tuna would be in a can shaped more like a regular sardine can. Or the even more-premium stuff in one of those oval cans. This can is more akin to the type for herring or kippers, just maybe a little deeper.

I could see the emphasis was on featuring some elongated pieces of fish. But the fancy can and cut of the fillets still couldn't overcome the fact that this was skipjack tuna. It had that, for lack of a better word, tinny taste. I call it that "tuna tang". The meat was a little dry as well. The label says salt added, but I thought it could have used a dash more. And I really didn't have an answer as to what I might add to elevate it beyond that. I added a dash of Salsa Espinaler knowing full well it wasn't going to help, and, as expected, it didn't.

I also found it perplexing that the label says "Product of Tunisia". That's on the Mediterranean, and that doesn't appear to be a fishing area native to skipjack tuna. Nonetheless, the Trader Joe's website confirms it to be the case.

Main Takeaways
  • Oddly-shaped can for tuna
  • A little dry and lacked salt
  • Wishing it was yellowfin

Brand: Trader Joe's
Description: Skipjack Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil
Species: Skipjack
Country of Origin: Tunisia
Source: FAO?
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 6 oz.
Price Range: $4