[BigFoot]

I would give anything not to be staggered by the smell of canned tuna. I have no problem with the taste in sandwiches or salads, but the stink as the can is opened makes my eyes water. Am I a neurotic crackpot, or do others experience similar reactions.

Are some brands better than others? Are there tricks to handling tuna? I heard of a new, expensive tuna imported from Italy packed in olive oil that is supposed to be good. Has anyone heard of it, and if so, does it stink too?

[phatch]

Rather than being an elusive primate, perhaps you're really part cat and your mouth and eyes water in anticipation.

My cats always went crazy when I opened a can of tuna.

Seriously, you might prefer tuna packed in olive oil. I think it has less odor when opened but a great taste.

My sister raves about the canned tuna in Japan where she lives. Says it's nothing like what we get in the states. Maybe you can find some imported Japanese canned tuna?

Phil

[tessa]

or some new zealand tuna,
I dont eat a lot of tinned fish, as i find the smell incredibly overpowering and makes me gag, but the smell of tuna i can bear , i tend to use tuna in springwater , but the tuna in olive oil from nz smells quite pleasant

[Mezzaluna]

I prefer the oil-packed chunk tuna in a pouch. It just seems to have better flavor.

[MikeLM]

BigFoot-

You should try "Genova" brand tuna in olive oil. We find it a nice change from the tuna-in-water variety. If you have a Trader Joe's near, they sell it for about 1/2 what the supermarkets get.

If you're nostalgic for smelly tuna, get a can of TJ's tuna for cats. It will shrivel your oleofactory nerves. Our cat doesn't seem to mind it, though.

Mike

[shel]

Mezz - AB did a show on canned/packaged tuna recently. He mentionerd that tuna in the pouch is cooked for less time, therefore has a somewhat fresher taste and more appetizing smell. The show will air again on July 21. Here's AB's recipe for tuna salad - I've been making something similar for a couple of years. and it's darned good with ventresca. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/reci...189636,00.html

BigFoot, if you want to try some great tuna, check out Ortiz Bonito Del Norte Reserva De Familia Aged Tuna in Olive Oil . Other brands of ventresca are also good, but I don't know of any other aged tuna. Ortiz is a Spanish brand and some say it's the best of the best. I love it, and buy it a few times a year. It can be found on line, and, at least in my area, numerous markets, including a few regular but higher-end supermarkets.

shel

[DC Sunshine]

I love the new small cans of flavoured and spiced up tuna we get here - particularly the tomato and chilli one, the lemon and pepper is good too. As for just the regular canned tuna - canned in oil is better for reducing the aroma rather than brine or springwater.

If you want tinned fish - there's a lot of sardine and herring avail out there too which are quite passable.

[tessa]

too and more gentle on your sense of smell

[BigFoot]

With Americans welcome almost no place these days, I decided not to go to Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand for the tuna I am unable to buy here. While I was very pleased by the eagerness of all the good persons of this forum to straighten me out, the underlying realty seemed to be that tuna stinks no matter what you do to it. On my next medical check-up, I intended to tell my doctor to save his breathe, that I was prepared to die prematurely rather than eat tuna. Further, I didn't want to hear about Omega-3 fatty acids anymore.

Subsequently, at the food market, as I was reading labels on a variety of canned sea dwelling creatures (most of which I wouldn't be caught dead eating), I noticed a young woman patiently waiting for me to make a choice and getting out of the way. My excessive apologies led to an exchange of pleasantries and then a spirited dialogue over the merits of fish oils. Until then, I had no idea that reading tuna fish cans was a great way to meet beautiful women.

Well let me get to the bottom line. I learned that sardines have much more Omega-3 than tuna, plus calcium. This lovely person recommended King Oscar sardines (the two layer size) packed in olive oil, I was so smitten I bought four cans. I don't know if this is all in my mind, but I loved those dinky little sardines which I ate in a sandwich with sliced tomatoes and onions and a can of beer. Who knows, had my tutor been an ugly old hag, I probably would still be moaning about stinky sea food. As it is, problem solved.

[tessa]

did ya get her number , and promise to make a fish dish worthy of a queen ??

[BigFoot]

I was so eager to demonstrate my excellent character and absence of uncouth behavior that I stood there like a blithering oaf as she smiled meltingly, turned and walked away. A housewife nearby, witnessing this vignette, gave me a pitying look as if to say: "What kind of donkey are you?"

I may have to buy 50 cans of sardines before I "accidentally" run into Miss Sardine again.

[DC Sunshine]

Have you tried tinned salmon as an alternative to tuna? Loads of calcium in there, as some include the bones ( quite soft enough to use and eat). Also tinned herring in mustard sauce - yummers!

Not sure if tinned smoked oysters or mussels have much omega-3, or if you would try them, but I do enjoy them with a bowl of crackers, or on toast triangles, plain and simple.

Go the sardine section - hang around long enough - she'll show

[shel]

Originally Posted by MikeLM

[...] You should try "Genova" brand tuna in olive oil. We find it a nice change from the tuna-in-water variety. If you have a Trader Joe's near, they sell it for about 1/2 what the supermarkets get.

The TJ's near me doesn't carry it any more, so I went looking for it, and bought a can this afternoon. What a disappointment. The tuna is no different than any other commercial canned tuna, and not as good as some brands. The olive oil adds a nice touch, although it is not a very flavorful oil, and adds little if anything to the product. I won't be buying it again even though it may be a small step up fromregular commercial canned tuna.

shel

[LollaRossa]

[shel]

I've heard of Dave's tuna and other canned fish, but hadn't tried any. This thread got me interested and I bought some tuna in olive oil today at Whole Foods. Haven't tried it yet, but for anyone interested, here's what Dave offers in the way of tuna: Dave's Albacore - Gourmet Canned Tuna BTW, the prices at the local WF were less than the on line prices.

And here's some information about his fleet of boats and those who do the fishing: http://davesalbacore.com/about_us.php - http://davesalbacore.com/fishingfleet.php

shel