Tuna, bluefin

Scientific name:  Thunnus thynnus
Market name:  Tuna
Common names:  Bluefin tuna, giant bluefin, northern bluefin, Atlantic bluefin

The Bluefin Tuna Story

Fishermen call them giants for a good reason: The bluefin tuna is the largest of the commercially harvested tuna species, with a record weight of just over 2,000 pounds and a length of over 12 feet. This fast-swimming migratory species occupies temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Over half the global catch comes from biologically separate stocks in the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean is also a historic area for bluefin. Bluefin is caught by a variety of gear types, including purse seine, harpoon, longline, troll, handline and rod and reel. The giant bluefin has a blue-black upper body and silvery white coloring on the sides and belly. The finlets are edged in black. Despite its potential large size, commercially caught bluefins are usually between 200 and 400 pounds. Bluefin is graded by taking “plugs” of flesh to test for fat content and color, critical factors in the price structure.

Product Profile

Because of its high fat content, bluefin is especially prized as a raw product and is marketed in three grades. No. 1 “sashimi-grade,” the freshest and fattiest, goes to the Japanese market. No. 2, next best, is “grill grade.” Nos. 3 and 4 reflect diminished quality.

Bluefin is the darkest and fattiest of any tuna, and its uncooked meat is red. When cooked, the meat turns firm and an off-white or ivory color. The flavor is distinctive. The flesh has the firmness and appearance of beef steaks. Raw bluefin meat can be brined overnight to mellow the flavor.

You Should Know...

Investigate the grading system and suppliers before buying fresh bluefin. If you don’t plan to serve bluefin raw, lower grades may better suit your needs and budget.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 100g/3.5 oz. (raw)
Amount per serving
Calories 144
Fat Calories 44
Total Fat 4.9 g
Saturated Fat 1.3 g
Cholesterol 38 mg
Sodium 39 mg
Protein 23.3 g
Omega-3 1.3 g

Cooking Tips

Overcooked tuna is tough and tasteless. When broiling or grilling the meaty bluefin, treat it as you would sirloin steak; it’s best if done on the rare side. The color will be nice and light, the meat firm and the flavor intense. Serve a nice red wine with bluefin steaks.

Substitutions: Swordfish, Other tunas, Mako shark

Cooking Methods

Bake, Broil, Grill, Sauté, Smoke

Primary Product Forms

Fresh

• H&G
• Loins
• Chunks
• Steaks

Frozen

• H&G
• Loins
• Chunks
• Steaks

Value-added

• Canned

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