Bonito

Bonito is a common name covering several species of the tribe Sardini, most notably Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis), as well as the closely related little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus). In Spanish conservas, bonito del norte refers specifically to albacore (Thunnus alalunga) caught in the Bay of Biscay, a usage that causes frequent confusion. True bonito appears in conservas from Spain, Portugal, and Turkey, typically packed in olive oil. The flesh is darker and more pronounced in flavour than albacore but milder than skipjack. Japanese katsuo (skipjack) is often translated as bonito in English, compounding the naming confusion. Bonito is also the source of bonito flakes (katsuobushi) used extensively in Japanese cuisine.