Charlie the Tuna has been run through the smoke house and is decidedly hickory-flavored these days. This new premium Star Kist solid white tuna is packed in spring water. The 6.5-ounce can retails for $1.79.
Kay Hadley: "I wasn't sure if I could handle hickory-smoked tuna - it sounded terrible. Was I pleasantly surprised!"The hickory flavor is very subtle and the quality of the tuna is excellent. Of course, it is more expensive than regular tuna, but as soon as the can is opened, you'll know why!"
Don Russell: "This premium tuna is chunky, flakey and rather flavorful; however, the hickory-smoke flavor makes this tuna taste a little bit like sardines. This tuna is water packed and very pink and healthy looking when you first see it in the can. Perhaps the only drawback to Star Kist is the hefty price."
Doris Wilding: "We can describe this in a word, `yuck.' Our whole family hated it - I wouldn't even feed it to my cat."
Judy Slack: "This is not good - do not buy it."
Edyth Jensen: "This is really a different flavor for tuna fish. As a plain side dish it didn't excite us. Prepared for sandwiches it was OK but nothing I am going to go out of my way to purchase. For my budget it is quite expensive for tuna."
Linda C. Tingey: "While the Star Kist hickory-flavored tuna was tasty to just nibble on - forget adding mayonnaise to make sandwiches! No one would eat it. I won't be buying it again."
Conclusion: Forget Charlie being smoked; he's apparently been burned at the stake! Pass this one up!
The Deseret News testing panel independently tests products purchased by the Deseret News. Readers with suggestions for products to be tested should contact the Today Section, Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.