Fish
Pacific Bonito
A tier
Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis and related Pacific Sarda) offers the same firm dark meat and grill-friendly oil as Atlantic cousins, landed off the Americas’ Pacific coasts. Flavour is rich; freshness rules. Tacos, seared steaks, and smoked bonito all work. Bleed and chill on the boat. A regional staple for California and South American coastal cookery when schools are in.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
GrilledSearedSmokedTacos
Traits
AssertiveCoastalFirmGrillPacificPacific SardaRichRich Firm
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
Grade 3
Grade 2
Grade 1
History
CL
Pacific South American fisheries took bonito for local markets.
US
California fishers landed Pacific bonito in warm-water years.
US
Taco culture and grilling revived interest in Pacific bonito.