Can you eat Costco tuna raw? Well, you are about to find out.
The Costco company has fast become one of the most widely known retail brands when it comes to wholesome foods in the United States.
By simply being a loyal and devout member or customer, you get access to a large variety of great quality organic foods at very affordable prices.
Yellowfin tuna or Ahi Tuna has been one of the most sought-after choices when it comes to tuna options from the Costco company.
This is because of the great prices offered by Costco on Ahi tuna.
The Question we would be answering in this article is Can you eat Costco ahi tuna raw?
So get a glass of something chill and ensure you read till the end.
Yes, you can eat Costco tuna raw. However, you must ensure that it is labeled as sushi grade.
Is Ahi Tuna A Healthy Tuna?
The Yellowfin tuna which is popularly known as the ahi tuna is a great option for lovers of tuna everywhere.
The protein-rich fish contains a high amount of fatty acids like Omega 3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are quite good for the body, as it helps in reducing the level of cholesterol in the body.
This reduction in cholesterol can, in turn, help keep your heart safe and healthy and we all want that.
So Ahi tuna is definitely a recommended option for tuna lovers everywhere.
And you should definitely consider incorporating it into your diet, especially if you frequently eat a lot of highly processed protein like sausage or bacon.
Should Tuna Be Eaten Raw?
Whether it is Ahi tuna or regular tuna, the question of should you eat tuna raw has been the subject of so many debates and arguments out there.
Well generally, tuna is a great option for protein, but whether or not it should be eaten raw is dependent on a few factors.
Eating raw tuna should be dependent on how it was stored. If stored improperly or wrongly, then it’s definitely a bad idea to eat tuna raw.
However, if kept properly under the right conditions, then sure eat as much raw tuna as you like.
The right condition would be to properly store it in a freezer. Frozen tuna is safe, it is free from harmful parasites and thus can be eaten raw.
Cooking Your Tuna
As we have already established, tuna that has been improperly stored is unsafe to be eaten raw.
So what then do you do with such tuna? Well, you cook it.
Cooking tuna should help in killing the harmful parasites that might build up from improper storing.
You do not also have to worry about overcooking your tuna as the only danger that might come from overcooking your tuna would be that it might get a little dry.
If that’s a problem for you, then be careful not to leave it in the pot or pan for too long.
Whether it is rare or medium-rare, cooked tuna can be enjoyed regardless of how it was cooked.
Can You Eat Costco Tuna Raw?
The Ahi tuna or regular tuna that is offered by the Costco Company is usually labeled as ‘Sashimi-grade’ or sushi-grade.
This means that they are suitable ingredients to be used when making sushi.
But being labeled as sashimi-grade or sushi-grade does not guarantee that it is completely safe to be eaten.
Besides, not all stores in the United States, label their tuna as ‘sushi grade’ as they might want to avoid liability claims from someone who fell sick or ill after eating their tuna.
The Freezing process used by Costco is quite standard.
They ensure that all the fish to be sold are stored in a freezer before even on all the boats.
Is That Enough?
No, it is not. Simply freezing freshly caught tuna does not guarantee that it is safe to be eaten raw.
They have to be completely bled, with every last drop of blood taken out of the tuna before being gutted and then immediately placed into a freezer.
This is all quite necessary to ensure that no harmful parasite builds up in the body of the fish.
Unless this has been done, the fish should be considered unsafe to be eaten.
Luckily, Costco company knows the importance of this and that is why it is added to their freezing process.
However, I do recommend you ask an employee at the store before you pick up any of these tuna cans.
Still, I do advise you to cook your tuna just in case, as you can never be too safe.
Some terrible retail stores could portray their tuna as sushi-grade just to justify the high prices they attach to them.
The Difference Between Regular and Sushi Grade Tuna at Costco
Although Costco usually sells Sashimi-grade or sushi-grade tuna, they might have regular tuna for sale.
The most obvious or noticeable difference between both tuna options would be the price.
However, the major difference between both tuna would be that the sushi-grade or sashimi-grade tuna is a lot safer to eat than regular tuna.
Before being labeled as ‘sushi grade’ or sashimi-grade, it would have gone through a freezing process that provides a guarantee known as the ‘Parasite Destruction Guarantee’.
The Rules Following Parasite Destruction Guarantee Are:
Rule #1.
Freezing the tuna fish and storing it at a temperature range of -4 degrees Fahrenheit or -20 degrees celsius or below, for a total period of 7 days.
Rule #2.
Freezing the tuna fish at a temperature of -31 degrees Fahrenheit or -35 degrees celsius before storing it at a temperature of -4 degrees Fahrenheit or -20 degrees celsius or below for a total period of 1 day.
Rule #3.
Freeze the tuna fish at a temperature of -31 degrees Fahrenheit or -35 degrees celsius or below until it is solid while storing it at a temperature of -31 degrees Fahrenheit or -35 degrees celsius for a period of 15 hours.
How To Tell If The Ahi Tuna Is Sushi Grade
Now that you know the benefit of sushi-grade tuna, how can you tell if it is indeed sushi grade?
It is quite simple, you can either check the label on the can for a clue or a boldly written write-up that says “Sushi Grade” or “Sashimi-Grade”.
You could also check on the tuna can for a label that says “Grade 1”.
And in some other cans, you can see a label there that is boldly written as “Super Frozen”.
This refers to a special kind of freezing process in which a much lower temperature than is usually required is used.
Super frozen tuna could stay fresh for as long as 2 years.
The great part is that both the super frozen and the regular frozen sushi-grade tuna taste the same way so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Can You Use Costco Ahi Tuna For Sushi?
Yes, you can use ahi tuna gotten from Costco as an ingredient in your sushi recipes.
However, you must ensure that whatever ahi tuna you decide to use, must be sushi-grade or Sashimi grade.
And if you can’t seem to find such, taking regular tuna is possible, however, you must ensure you follow any of the rules following the Parasite Destruction Guarantee before use.
Conclusion
So in the end, Can you eat Costco tuna raw?
The answer is yes, but remember there are a few conditions that must be met and rules that must be followed before you do.
Your health should be your highest priority, so always double-check when it comes to proteins such as tuna fish.
An improperly stored tuna fish can put your health at risk.
Check with the employees at Costco, and read the label on the tuna can for clarification.
These little habits could help you in being safe and healthy.
That is all we have for you in this article, do ensure you check out our previous articles as you might learn something new.
For now, eat healthily, drink a lot of water, and be good.