Bluefin

Fish

Bluefin

Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus and Pacific/southern relatives) is the most celebrated sashimi tuna—deep red lean meat and richly marbled belly (otoro/chutoro) with melting fat. Flavour is meaty, clean, and profound when properly aged and cut. Overfishing made bluefin a conservation concern; legal, traced fish command premium prices. Serve raw as nigiri and sashimi, or briefly sear. Cooking through wastes the luxury texture. Buy only from transparent sources. Distinct from cheaper canned “tuna” species.

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedChilledCuredDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedMincedPickledRoastedSaltedSlicedSmokedSteamedWhole

Provenance

ASC CertifiedDay BoatFree SwumHand FilletedHook and LineLine-CaughtMSC CertifiedOrganicPole-CaughtResponsibly SourcedSeasonalSustainable

Sources

AquacultureIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

DarkFattyFirmMeatyRichUmami

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 189

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 10.3 g
  • Saturated Fat 1.02 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 2.02 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 5.74 g
  • Cholesterol 52 mg
  • Sodium 75.6 mg
  • Salt 0.19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 19.5 g
  • Water 74.7 g
Detailed nutrients

Oily fish store long-chain omega-3 fats in the flesh—far richer than white fish.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Bluefin.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

Grading systems

Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.

Japan

Hon-Maguro

United States

NOAA

History

JP

Japanese markets developed specialised cutting and ageing for bluefin sashimi and sushi.

JP

Global demand for sushi elevated bluefin prices and international fisheries pressure.

Quotas and conservation measures responded to declining bluefin stocks.

Traceability and aquaculture trials sought to stabilise premium bluefin supply.

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