BUYING ALBACORE
Wild Pacific Albacore is a premium tuna, caught in the waters off California, Oregon and Washington between June and October. Caught using environmentally conscious “hook & line” method (troll-caught), it’s an excellent choice for lovers of quality seafood. Fresh, frozen and gourmet custom-canned U.S. albacore is available year-round at quality retailers.

While Wild Pacific Albacore can be found on the menu at some of America’s best restaurants, it’s also quick and easy to cook at home.

Fresh Wild Pacific Albacore can be purchased from the following retailers when it's in season:

• Whole Foods Market
• 
Santa Monica Seafood

• New Seasons Market
• PCC Natural Markets

• Monterey Fish Company
• Natural Grocers
• Sprouts
• Gelson’s
• Sunflower Farmers Market
• Heinen’s
• Earth Fare
• Fairway
• Real Food Company
• Paradise Foods

Email info@pacificalbacore.com if you currently stock Northwest troll-caught albacore and we’ll add you to the list.

Buying Directly from Fishermen

During the season, U.S. troll-caught albacore is available fresh off the boats! Visit the Oregon Albacore Commission’s website for Oregon landings 
http://www.oregonalbacore.org/oregon-albacore-the-fleet-is-in.htm

Premium Canned Albacore

This is NOT your average canned tuna: Hand packed and cooked just once so it retains all its flavor and nutrients, once you try U.S. custom-canned albacore you’ll never go back to your old brand!

Check out our “Where to Buy Page” for a selection of premium West coast brands. Look for these and others at your local market – make sure the label says “U.S. troll-caught” or “product of the U.S.”.


A Note on Sustainability
The West coast troll/pole albacore fishery is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and earns a “Best Choice” rating in the Monterey Bay Aquarium‘s Seafood Watch Guide (www.seafoodwatch.com).

Flavor
Fresh albacore has a mild to medium flavor with firm flesh and large flakes. When cooked, it has a steak-like texture like other tunas but is less dense than Yellowfin or Bigeye. Raw albacore is soft and should be handled carefully to avoid bruising.

Wild Pacific Albacore has a higher concentration of omega-3s than other albacore, which gives it a rich yet mild flavor.

Purchasing & Handling Hints

• Avoid any fish with a strong "fishy" odor; select albacore that looks moist with no signs of drying on the edges.
• Choose cuts with a uniform color, which may range from light beige to rosy pink. Avoid cuts with bruises that appear as red or brown marks in the flesh.
• If possible, buy frozen albacore when it’s frozen. If it’s been thawed, ask when and how it was defrosted.
• Always thaw fish and seafood slowly, in the coldest part of a refrigerator. Whole, frozen albacore will take up to 2 days to thaw, other cuts take 8 hours or less.
• Fresh or thawed albacore should be placed in moisture-proof packs and stored in the refrigerator at 32-35F. Plan to use within 1 or 2 days.

A Delicious, Versatile & Healthy Choice
It’s easy to include more heart-healthy fish in your family’s diet with Wild Pacific Albacore.

Whether you’re buying fresh albacore steaks or gourmet custom-canned, Wild Pacific Albacore is a delicious addition to any meal. Add grilled or canned albacore to salads or pasta for a healthy lunch, or stir-fry albacore slices with vegetables for a quick dinner. Albacore loins and steaks can be marinated in a tangy soy marinade and grilled on the barbeque, added to a seafood soup, or made into a healthy burger patty. Custom-canned albacore is cooked just once in the can to retain all its natural flavor - no need to add tablespoons of mayonnaise! Mix with lemon, tomatoes, beans, capers, olives, onion, eggs, or avocado for a delicious tuna salad or sandwich without the added fat.

Our recipe page has growing list of tasty recipes for you to try.

Cooking with Fresh Albacore
Do not overcook albacore! For moist, flavorful albacore, cook it to medium-rare, removing from the heat while still pink in the center (internal temperature of 140F).
With its firm flesh and mild flavor, albacore is perfect for grilling, marinating, poaching, broiling, smoking, and canning, even served raw as sashimi.