Albacore Tuna

Bonito del Norte (Thunnus alalunga) is the highest-quality fish in the tuna family. During the summer, large schools of Bonito del Norte migrate to the Cantabrian Sea, where they are caught during the fishing season known as the “Costera del Bonito”. It is also known internationally as “White Tuna” or “Albacore Tuna”, due to the light colour of its flesh, which is whiter and more delicate than that of other tuna species. In Spain, its commercial name is Bonito del Norte.

Albacore Tuna has a streamlined body covered with scales. Its back has a distinctive dark blue colour, while its belly is greyish and shiny. It can be identified by its long pectoral fins. Its average length is 75 cm, and it can weigh between 10 and 15 kg.

Although they both belong to the tuna family, they are two different species with significant differences between them.

Albacore Tuna (Thunnus Alalunga) is the most highly prized variety. It has white, tender and succulent flesh, with an exceptionally smooth texture and a more delicate flavour. It also has a lower fat content than Yellowfin Tuna. Due to its quality, scarcity and culinary qualities, Bonito del Norte is considered the finest and most select tuna variety.

Different tuna species may be sold under the commercial name “tuna”, including some lower-quality varieties such as Skipjack Tuna. At Serrats, however, we exclusively use Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares). Its flesh is pinker, its texture is firmer and its flavour is more intense than that of Bonito del Norte. As it is a more abundant species with a wide geographical distribution, it is the most commonly used tuna for canning.

Bonito del Norte is one of the oily fish that provides the greatest health benefits. By including it in our diet, we obtain numerous vitamins, proteins and minerals. Vitamins A, B, K and D, together with minerals such as calcium and iodine, make Bonito del Norte one of the most complete and exquisite foods on the market.

One of the most notable properties of Bonito del Norte is its high Omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3s are essential fats that our bodies cannot produce on their own and are therefore an essential part of our daily diet.

Eating Bonito del Norte helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and maintain healthy brain function. If you want to strengthen your joints and bones and help prevent cardiovascular disease, put Bonito del Norte on your plate!

At Conservas Serrats, we demand fish that have been caught respecting traditional fishing methods. The fleets of the Basque Country and Cantabria primarily fish using the live bait technique or the trolling technique. With both techniques, fish are caught one by one, thereby avoiding accidental catches of other species and being the most sustainable.

The live-bait fishing method begins by catching anchovies or mackerel and keeping them alive in seawater tanks so they can later be used as bait. Once a school of Bonito del Norte has been located, the boat positions itself above it and the fishermen begin throwing live bait into the sea alongside the vessel. Powerful jets of water are directed towards the same spot to make it look as though the water is “boiling” with large numbers of anchovies or mackerel. Attracted by the food, the Bonito del Norte rise to the surface and lunge at the live or hooked fish. This allows them to be caught one by one.

When using trolling, boats deploy long poles with fishing lines and hooks on both sides. The Bonito del Norte follow the trail of the concealed bait and bite the hooks.

Bonito del Norte is caught during the fishing season from June to October, when the fish is at its best for catching and eating. During this period, vessels head to the Bay of Biscay, where the largest concentration of Bonito del Norte can be found.

Serrats tinned Bonito del Norte is prepared following a meticulous artisanal process, learnt and perfected over five generations.

The very first stage is the selection of the finest Bonito del Norte specimens at the quayside. The very freshest.

Once at the factory, the fish are gutted and the heads removed, then cooked in salted water for approximately 3 hours, depending on the size of the tuna. Once they have cooled naturally, we begin the cleaning stage. This stage, carried out entirely by hand, is crucial. The skill and experience of our expert workers ensure the skin, bones and dark areas are perfectly removed, resulting in whole, white loins. This is partly what gives our tinned Bonito del Norte its exceptional appearance of white, flavourful and appetising meat that has graced so many tables.

After cleaning, the loins are ready and, with great care and delicacy, we pack this delicious seafood product into tins or glass jars. We then add specially selected olive oil or one of our sauces.

Finally, one of the most important stages of the process is carried out: sterilisation. This ensures that the Bonito del Norte is preserved in perfect condition, retaining all its nutritional value. From this moment on, the product is ready to travel from our factory in Bermeo to your table.

Tinned Bonito del Norte does not require any special storage conditions. You can keep it in a pantry or cupboard. However, once a tin or jar of Bonito del Norte has been opened, we recommend keeping it in the fridge, covered in oil, and eating it within three or four days.

With Serrats tinned Bonito del Norte, it's very easy to shine in the kitchen. But if you fancy finding new and original recipes, we invite you to browse “The Serrats Kitchen”, a blog where we collect thousands of recipes with Bonito del Norte sent to us by lovers of Serrats and fine food: a variety of salads, traditional pintxos or ones with surprising flavours, toasts from the simplest to the most sophisticated, fillings, pasta dishes… Find your favourite!

If you enjoy good food, you're in the right place: our online gourmet tinned fish shop. Buy the best tinned Bonito del Norte quickly and securely. Excellent quality tinned Bonito del Norte, with authentic flavours, upholding the history and tradition of five generations. Fresh fish. Selected one by one. Artisanal preserves, 100% natural. Try our tinned Bonito del Norte and if you're not satisfied, we'll give you your money back