Albacore vs Escolar: what's the difference?
Albacore vs Escolar: how these sushi neta differ in species, taste, texture, season, sustainability and mercury — a side-by-side guide.
| Attribute | Albacore | Escolar |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 鬢長 ビンナガ · binnaga | アブラソコムツ · aburasokomutsu |
| Species | Thunnus alalunga | Lepidocybium flavobrunneum |
| Texture | firm, tender | buttery, very oily |
| Richness | ●●●○○ | ●●●●● |
| Oiliness | ●●●○○ | ●●●●● |
| Peak season | Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | — |
| Sustainability | green | unrated |
| Mercury (ppm) | 0.32 | — |
| Price | $$ | $ |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | Acquired taste |
At a glance
鬢長 binnaga
Albacore
Albacore is the only fish that is legitimately 'white tuna' — a real tuna with pale-pink, mild flesh. If your 'white tuna' is opaque white, it isn't this.
aburasokomutsuEscolar
Escolar is a snake mackerel — not tuna at all — routinely sold as 'white tuna'. Buttery and delicious, but its wax esters can cause digestive distress, and it's banned in Japan.