When it comes to , the variations are vast, and the quality can be questionable. It's a classic pantry staple, something to keep around when you're desperate for a quick protein dinner. You can use or dress up a sad salad.
But not all canned tunas are created equal, so if you're a stickler for texture and taste, there's one brand that rises above all others. Although the brand isn't as widely available as your everyday StarKist or Bumble Bee, it's usually found at specialty grocery stores, high-end supermarkets, or . What began as a small canning company off the Basque coast in 1891 has since grown to a fifth-generation Ortiz family operation.
This gives the brand complete control over the harvesting and handling of its seafood, a quality that you can see as soon as you peel back the lid of its old-fashioned tin packaging. What makes Ortiz tuna so good Ortiz specializes in white tuna, "Thunnus albacares," a yellowfin variety that it only hunts for from July to October, caught one at a time with pole-and-line fishing. It also and ensures the prized species can maintain its population levels, so we can enjoy the albacore delicacy year round.
The company also hand-cuts and packs the tuna filets, keeping the fish whole and preserving its natural moisture. Better yet, their tuna is usually canned in high-quality olive oil, not water, giving it an unctuous and smooth texture. Unlike other brands, Ortiz only lightly cooks their tuna, resulting in a fresh-tasting fish that still reta.