Gourmet Albacore Tuna
Albacore tuna is the only species of tuna that is allowed to be labeled "white meat". Sometimes referred to as "chicken of the sea" it has a delicious mild taste and soft texture. Although it is often found canned, you can also buy it fresh, frozen at sea and hot or cold smoked. In Japan blast-frozen albacore is often sold as sashimi.
This species of tuna is characterized by its dark blue back, silvery-white sides and long sword-shaped pectoral fins. The average specimen available on the market is around 20 pounds, although they can weigh as much as 132 pounds and grow up to 55 inches in length. Albacore meat is pink and off-white when cooked.
Most albacore tuna sold in America is harvested off the west coast of North America between California and Canada. However, they are found in open tropical waters all around the world as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
As far as nutrition goes, albacore tuna is very good for you. It is lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken and beef and contains Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to promote heart health. It does however contain higher amounts of mercury than most other tuna varieties and the FDA advises women of child bearing age and children to eat no more than 6 ounces per week.
Fresh and frozen albacore meat is available, whole and filleted into steaks or loins. When buying fresh albacore tuna look for meat that is bright and translucent. The texture of the meat should be soft and oily. Frozen albacore should be frozen solid with no signs of ice crystals or freezer burn. If ice crystals are present it is a sign that the meat has been thawed and refrozen. Frozen and fresh meat should be free of discoloration and have a fresh sea aroma. If it smells fishy or has blood spots and tears don't buy it.
Of course you can also buy canned albacore tuna. The best canned tuna contains lower amounts of mercury, so make sure to check the label for mercury content. Blast frozen varieties are available as well for sashimi consumption.
I recommend buying gourmet albacore tuna online from a premium tuna supplier. Having seafood delivered directly to your door from the distributor ensures it is the absolute freshest available. When you buy gourmet tuna online you can choose the delivery date and the price is usually better because there are no distributor or retail markups.
Fresh tuna should be eaten within 2 days of purchase. It should be kept covered in the coldest part of the refrigerator until just before cooking. Frozen tuna will last for 4 months in the freezer when properly wrapped and sealed. Although it may keep longer, it will begin to lose flavor after 4 months. The best way to thaw tuna steaks is to put them in a drip pan in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. The easiest way to thaw whole albacore tuna is in a bath tub filled with cold water. Once thawed never refreeze it.
When preparing fresh tuna it is important to keep the meat supported at all times or it will fall apart. It is also important to keep it moist or it will become tough and undesirable. Grilling tuna is one of the most popular ways to cook it. Other cooking methods include pan searing, roasting and frying. Tuna meat turns an off-white color when cooked. Make sure you don't overcook it or the delicious flavor will be lost. I recommend removing it from the heat while the middle is still pink.
If you need more information about how to cook albacore tuna or a gourmet recipe you can find it on this site. Also, when you buy tuna online from a gourmet seafood distributor it usually comes with a preparation guide and recipes.
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