When a can is labeled Tuna, the species of tuna that it contains is not the same as when it says Light Tuna. It is also normal to confuse Albacore tuna with light tuna. Although we are talking about the same family, they are three different types of canned tuna.

When talking about tuna, it is usually Skipjack Tuna. This is a small breed (up to 80 cm long and weighs between 2 and 23 kg), with lines or stripes on its belly. From these stripes it is known in other languages as Striped Tuna. It is found in all oceans and is the most fished species in the world. Eighty percent of the world production is destined to canning. Its meat is a pink-red, more moist and less compact than light tuna, with an intense flavor.

Light Tuna refers to Yellowfin Tuna, which lives in tropical waters. It is a great migrator, moving in large schools or shoals and is generally found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It can reach 2 meters in length and can weigh up to 200 kilos. Differentiated from other tuna by its yellow fin, its high quality meat is a light rosy color, with a firm texture and delicate flavor.

Bonito, also known as White tuna has a scaly, oval body. Its back is a characteristic dark blue with a whitish belly. One of its most outstanding characteristics is that it has very long fins, reaching back to its tail. On average, it reaches 75 cm long, and weighs 10 kg. Its meat is whiter, more compact and moist than other tuna’s meat.

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