Various cuts of tuna fish are available and
one of them is
yellowfin tuna saku. The
tuna saku is mosly served as raw or seared meat. When the tuna saku meat is
prepared seared then it is usually served as appetizer and eaten with wasabi
and soy sauce, while the raw version is mostly used as sushi dish either as
nigiri or sashimi.
Just like
tuna loin, the tuna saku is also
need to be graded based on their qualities. The grade of the tuna will affect
the price of the tuna saku. Each grade has different qualities which you can
tell from the appearance, smell, color, and texture. Moreover, tuna saku that
sourced from the freshest tuna fish and not already frozen for a long time is always
the best selection to have as well.
How to
grade the yellowfin tuna saku based on their qualities?
To grade the
tuna saku based on their
qualities, the manufacturer needs to conduct many procedures and process. Of
course they will inspect and check the tuna fish first before being processed
and cuts into tuna in saku shape. Here are some example of how the frozen yellowfin tuna saku is graded based on
their qualities:
-
AAA: The qualities of the
triple A grades meaning that the tuna saku has the greatest and the best
qualities tuna fish meat ever. Usually the kind of tuna saku that categorized
as triple A is a tuna with translucent appearance (it is only visible when the
frozen tuna is thawed) and firm texture, it has bright with watermelon red
color, and if you look closely, the sinew is also very limited.
-
AA: The lower qualities of tuna
saku compared with the triple A grade, but it still has a really good
appearance and it will be great to be cooked into many dishes. The tuna saku
that comes with this categorized include a meat with bright and watermelon red
color, firm texture, and some visible sinew.
-
A: The lowest grade of the
tuna, it does not have that bright or watermelon red color, instead it is go
with dull and pale red color while the texture is softer than those tuna in AAA
and AA grades. Meanwhile, it has more sinew.
You can get these notes as reference when
you want to buy tuna saku in the market for your business or meals. The higher
the grades then the higher the prices are usually will be. Tuna saku is also
available in many different species including yellowfin
tuna saku.
The yellowfin tuna in saku shape can be
sold as frozen tuna saku or fresh tuna saku. However, please pay attention that
usually the fresh tuna saku that you found in grocery stores’ or market’s shelf
is in fact a frozen tuna saku which already being thawed. You need to ask the
seller when they are stock the fresh tuna saku in those seafood shelves.
The shelf life of frozen tuna saku still in
vacuum packed can last for months, however the frozen tuna saku which already
thawed and displayed on the shelf can only last for 3 to 5 days. So, if you
purchase fresh yellowfin tuna saku that frozen before, you better use that as
soon as possible before the tuna is spoilage. And do not thaw the tuna saku if
it is already thawed because it will affect the taste and the appearance of the
tuna. This is important to consider especially if you run business restaurant
that serve tuna fish in any shapes or in any meals.
Why some of the tuna saku products more red in color
than others?
Okay, so maybe when you go to a fish market
or grocery stores, you spot some tuna saku has more red color than any other
tunas such as pale and burnt meat tuna saku color. However, you need to
understand that most of tuna color is red. The word ‘burnt’ is usually refers
to a tuna that lack in bright red meat color and have softer flesh with more
watery texture. Such condition is often related with the yellowfin tuna saku that sourced from a tuna fish
which caught near the surface of the ocean.
This kind of so called burnt tuna offer
cheaper prices than other good qualities of tuna saku and even some stores like
to offer them in discounted prices. But, burnt tuna cannot be prepared raw as
sashimi, however when it is cooked, it still acceptable and edible to be
consumed.
The best frozen yellowfin tuna product you should have
and how to thaw it
Select the best yellowfin tuna in saku
shape is really crucial and you need to pick wisely. Go with frozen tuna
product when you do not want to use the fish directly right after buying it. Good
frozen tuna saku with nice qualities usually has moist and firm texture with
bright red color and mild plus meaty taste. However, you may also meet with a
tuna saku with a bit tan or brown grayish color, however they are fine.
The tuna should be vacuum packaging and
does not damaged or have torn. When buying, you can check the condition of the
package, the appearance, and touch it. If possible, poke the tuna a bit to see
the texture.
You may also need to find some information
whether the tuna is wildly caught or sourced from tuna farms. It is better to
pick the one that are wildly caught because it is healthier. Moreover, the
method to catch the tuna fish is also important to be considered particularly
if you care about the environment.
Before you use the frozen
yellowfin tuna saku, you can defrost it by place the tuna saku in refrigerator for
a night. If you do not want to use it in the day you buy the tuna, then you can
keep it frozen until it is ready to be used by store the tuna in the coldest
part of the freezer. However, do not refreeze product after you thaw it.