"pouch tuna" news and stories

Cook's Country had an interesting taste test in this month's issue. They pitted canned tunas against the newer pouch-packaged tunas. The pouch tunas claim to be fresher and less processed, though in all likelihood, the amount of processing that goes into each product is probably similar. Pouches may take up less room in the lunch bag, but cans also have the advantage of being recyclable. With plusses and minuses on both sides, Cook's Country looked for the brand that tasted the best.

Eight brands of solid white albacore packed in water, the most popular tuna variety, were sampled and canned tuna took four of the five top spots. The primary reason was that canned tuna offered bigger and meatier chunks of fish, while the smaller and less-supportive pouches offered a mushier, less appealing, texture. In general, tasters preferred tuna with a mild flavor, too, and their preference reflects in the rankings:

Top Picks

• Chicken of the Sea, canned
• Starkist, canned

Runners-Up

• Starkist, pouch
• Geisha, canned
• Diamonds, canned
• Chicken of the Sea, pouch

Don't Bother

• Bumble Bee, canned
• Bumble Bee, pouch