Tuna Day
Food DaysWhat Is Tuna Day?
The 27th of every month is "Tsuna no Hi," or Tuna Day, in Japan. The date comes from a pun reading 2 as "tsu" and 7 as "na," and the day is meant to encourage people to enjoy canned tuna and other tuna products.
"Tuna" Covers a Whole Group of Fish
The Japanese word "tsuna" comes from the English "tuna," a collective name for fish in the tribe Thunnini of the mackerel family. Canned tuna sold in Japan may be made from maguro (tuna proper) or from katsuo (skipjack); the label tells you which.
- Origin of the date: the pun 2 (tsu) and 7 (na)
- What "tuna" means: a collective term for fish of the tuna tribe
- Canned tuna ingredients: tuna, and sometimes skipjack
- Aim of the day: to make tuna products a familiar part of the table
Oil-Packed, Water-Packed, and Oil-Free
Canned tuna comes oil-packed, water-packed, or with no added oil. Use it straight from the can in salads and sandwiches, or add it liquid and all to stir-fries and mixed rice -- the type you choose changes the result.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Check the best-before dates on the cans in your cupboard
- Make a quick dish using canned tuna
- Taste oil-packed against water-packed and compare
- Add a few cans to your emergency food stock
The Cans in the Cupboard Earn Their Keep at New Year
Shops close on some days over the New Year, and shopping trips get further apart. Shelf-stable canned tuna is a reliable way to add one more dish. The 27th is a good day to look over what is in the cupboard.