Product Review: Kirkland Albacore tuna

I used to think that canned tuna was canned tuna…what could really vary? You take a chunk of tuna, mash it up, and stuff it into a can with some water and salt. Because I only ate tuna at home (where my mom would prepare it to my exact specifications, meaning “only enough mayonnaise to hold it together”), I didn’t realize that it could be packed in oil, or that it could be a pinky beige color versus the white albacore that we had in the house. In fact, it wasn’t until I mistakenly bought chunk light tuna in college that I realized that what my mom bought was the pretty good quality tuna (not the imported tuna in olive oil but better than the cheaper chunk stuff).

After college, I started getting Costco deliveries from my parents, as it was hard for me to buy a lot of groceries without a car. One of the staples was the pack of Kirkland white albacore tuna. Despite warnings about mercury, I went through many many packs of this tuna. Because I was spoiled and did not buy it myself, I did not realize that it was quite a bit more expensive (and has since gone up in price…but then again, what hasn’t?) than the cans sold in grocery stores. However, the Costco version was worth buying because it is far superior to even other name brands of white albacore, and it is seven ounces, as compared to the standard five ounces.

It may not seem like the quality of the tuna would matter very much, given that most people hide it in a sea of mayonnaise and further mask it with pickles, celery, or perhaps grapes or apples. However, because I go so light on the mayonnaise, I can tell the difference. In fact, this tuna is so solid that it could be reasonable to eat. even without mayonnaise. It comes out of the can in solid pieces rather than little flecks. In fact, I have had trouble mixing this tuna using a plastic fork because it is so firm! The taste is more akin to that of a tuna steak and lacks the mushy quality and overly fishy smell of cheaper canned tuna. There is very little liquid in the can, making it much less wet when mixed with mayonnaise.

I like to mix the tuna with a dab of mayonnaise and either celery or sweet gherkins. It makes a great main protein source for a meal (on the plate rather than in a sandwich) with a side of potato, rice, potato pancakes, or pasta. It also tastes great in the more traditional tuna sandwich. Full of protein and healthy fat, this tuna is a healthy meal (except of course if eaten too often due to the potentially high mercury content). The can is large, but I usually eat it in its entirety as a dinner main dish. But it could easily serve two for sandwiches.

Have you tried this tuna? How do you think it compares to other canned varieties? Any other suggestions for eating it?