Francisco Rodriguez Tenório, a man of striking features, with prominent sideburns and a resolute gaze, was a pioneer in using the finest cuts of tuna for canned products. As a visionary and successful industrialist, he was responsible for creating a timeless preserve of superior quality. In the late 19th century, Tenório established his business in Vila Real de Santo António, in southern Portugal—a region where fishing was so abundant that preserving tuna became a necessity. This period marked the early days of the Portuguese canning industry.
Tenório brought all his expertise in tuna to create a unique preserve and establish his own industry. The secret behind the meticulous cleaning and cutting of the fish was put into practice at the São Francisco factory, founded in 1880, where they produced their signature tuna preserve - Tuna in Escabeche. In 1960, Tenório's preserves expanded to the Azores, where they continue to be produced at the Cofaco factories, using only the finest tuna fillets. Over a century later, Tenório preserves maintain the same high-quality standards and artisanal production methods.
