While the California Blue Fin Season has been active since March, our local fishermen have been seeing large schools of Bluefin this month! That's good news for our fisheries as well as the patron's of Giovanni's Fish Market. In case you are not familiar with the California Bluefin Tuna, this blog post will answered some of the most common questions we receive.
When is Bluefin tuna season in California? The peak season to catch Bluefin tuna in California is March-October. Be sure to stop by the market or order your Bluefin Tuna before the season ends. Are Atlantic and Pacific Bluefin tuna the same? Atlantic tunas are the most common tuna and are found in the Atlantic Ocean. Pacific Bluefin is a rarer species and is found in the Pacific Ocean. Atlantic tuna is larger than Pacific tuna. Pacific tuna is more torpedo-shaped, while Atlantic tuna is more rounded. Is the Bluefin tuna endangered in California? Pacific Bluefin are NOT endangered in California, however the Atlantic Bluefin are endangered.
Why are Atlantic Bluefin tuna endangered? Overfishing in the Atlantic has caused a decline over the past few decades. Population decline have been largely driven by the demand for this fish in high end sushi markets.
Is California Bluefin tuna good to eat? YES, California Bluefin Tuna are one of the most desired and luxurious types seafood you can buy. The delicious fatty meat has become a sought-after dish in many high-end restaurants as well at Giovanni's Fish Market & Galley restaurant. Bluefin tuna is the perfect choice for sashimi, poke or just grill up a tuna steak!
How much does Bluefin tuna cost at Giovanni's Fish Market? Typical prices for Bluefin Tuna tends to be around $29.99 per pound. What does Bluefin tuna taste like? It has a distinctive medium flavor and is a firm in texture with large flakes. It is best served as sushi or cooked rare to medium-rare.
Is bluefin tuna the same as ahi? No, ahi tuna is the Hawaiian name for the yellowfin species of tuna, however, you can easily exchange Bluefin for Yellowfin in most recipes.
How do you prepare Bluefin tuna? To eat bluefin tuna in its purest form, choose sashimi. This is where you slice up thin cuts of the tuna and either eat it by itself, or with soy sauce, wasabi, or both. Whichever way you choose to eat Bluefin tuna, if you eat it raw, always make sure you buy sushi-grade fish. Here is one of our favorite preparations....substitute the Ahi for Bluefin!
What is bluefin tuna toro?
Toro is the term for the fatty part of the tuna, found in the belly portion of the fish. Especially prized by sushi chefs and sushi aficionados, toro presents pink to white in color with a rich, buttery taste.
How much does Bluefin Toro cost? with Bluefin Toro selling around for $19.99 per pound. The best slices of fatty bluefin — called "Toro" and can sell for $24 per piece at Tokyo sushi bars!
Now that you are caught up on all the Bluefin Tuna FAQs, are you ready to fill your freezer with this season's catch?
As a bonus for reading this post, we are offering a Bluefin Big Box Special, just for you!