Consumer experts from Choice have put popular supermarket pestos to the test, with a dairy-free, vegan-friendly product crowned the best in Australia.
Sacla Italia’s Basil Pesto ‘Free From’ ($4.90) beat out stiff competition from the likes of Barilla, Jamie Oliver, Leggo’s and Mutti, thanks to its ‘balanced flavour combinations’ and impressive 38 per cent basil content.
‘This pesto has vibrant olive green, some oil separation and noticeable nuts and herbs,’ the Choice testers said.
‘It has a fragrant basil aroma. Flavour is balanced, noticeable basil with a slight acidic finish. A pleasant, even, soft and creamy texture that coats pasta well.’
Consumer experts from Choice have put popular supermarket pestos to the test, crowning the surprising winner as a dairy-free, vegan-friendly product from Sacla (stock image)
Sacla Italia’s Basil Pesto ‘Free From’ ($4.90) beat out stiff competition to be crowned the best pesto with a 75 per cent score (left). Jamie Oliver’s Green Pesto ($5.30) – wasn’t far behind it with 72 per cent (right)
The Sacla ‘Free From’ pesto uses tofu as a cheese substitute.
While Sacla’s ‘Free From’ pesto came out on top with an impressive 75 per cent score, the most expensive product – Jamie Oliver’s Green Pesto ($5.30) – wasn’t far behind with 72 per cent.
‘This is olive green with a vibrant oil colour, and it has a pleasant appearance with “bits” of ingredients apparent,’ Choice’s tasting experts said.
‘It has a subtle grassy, basil, acidic aroma and you can taste the basil and the cheese, but it’s not too salty with a slight acidic aftertaste.’
Their experts noted that Jamie’s pesto ‘sticks well to pasta’, and gives a delicious well-balanced flavour.
Third place in the Choice ratings was awarded to Sacla Italia’s regular Pesto Classic Basil $4.90), which received a 65 per cent score.
Third place in the Choice ratings was awarded to Sacla Italia’s Pesto Classic Basil $4.90), which received a 65 per cent score (left). Elsewhere in the pesto ratings, Aldi’s Remano Basil Pesto ($1.89) scored an impressive 63 per cent score (right)
What are the full supermarket pesto ratings?
1. Sacla Italia Basil Pesto ‘Free From’, $4.90. 75 per cent score.
2. Jamie Oliver Green Pesto, $5.30. 72 per cent score.
3. Sacla Italia Pesto Classic Basil, $4.90. 65 per cent score.
Barilla Pesto Alla Genovese gained a 60 per cent score and came in sixth place (pictured)
4. Aldi Remano Basil Pesto, $1.89. 63 per cent score.
5. Leggo’s Pesto Basil, $4.60. 63 per cent score.
6. Barilla Pesto Alla Genovese, $4.30. 60 per cent score.
7. Coles Basil Pesto, $1.95. 55 per cent score.
8. Leggo’s Providore Series Pesto Italian Basil, Pecorino and Pine Nut, $5. 48 per cent score.
9. Coles Italia Pesto Al Basilico Basil Pesto, $3.50. 40 per cent score.
10. Barilla Pesto Basil & Rocket, $4. 36 per cent score.
11. Woolworths Basil Pesto, $1.95. 32 per cent score.
12. Mutti Pesto Style Stir Through Sauce Green Tomato, $5. 29 per cent score.
13. Galiko Basil Pesto, $3. 28 per cent score.
Source: Choice
Leggo’s Pesto Basil costs $4.60 and gained a 63 per cent score, putting it in fifth place in Choice’s rankings (pictured)
The bottom three were made up of Woolworths’ Basil Pesto ($1.95; 32 per cent score), Mutti Pesto Style Stir Through Sauce Green Tomato ($5; 29 per cent score) and Galiko Basil Pesto ($3; 28 per cent score)
Elsewhere in the pesto ratings, Aldi’s Remano Basil Pesto ($1.89) scored an impressive 63 per cent score, and Leggo’s Pesto Basil ($4.60) also received 63 per cent.
The bottom three were made up of Woolworths’ Basil Pesto ($1.95; 32 per cent score), Mutti Pesto Style Stir Through Sauce Green Tomato ($5; 29 per cent score) and Galiko Basil Pesto ($3; 28 per cent score).
Only two of the pesto products that Choice tested were made in Australia (Galiko Basil Pesto has 58 per cent Australian ingredients and Leggo’s Pesto Basil has 50 per cent Australian ingredients).
The remainder of the products were made in Italy.
You can make your own pesto at home with fresh basil leaves, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper and extra Virgin olive oil (stock image)
While $27million is spent on supermarket-bought pesto each year, it is possible to make your own from home.
For this Choice recommend you get your hands on two cups of fresh basil leaves, one tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/4 of a cup of toasted pine nuts, 50 grams of Parmesan, 1/4 of a garlic clove, salt and pepper and 1/4 of a cup of extra Virgin olive oil.
‘Place the basil, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper into a mini processor or a food processor with a small bowl,’ Choice’s experts said.
Then, pulse it for a few seconds and add in the oil, before processing it for five seconds for a chunky pesto or 10 seconds for something smoother.
Serve with piping hot pasta, grated cheese and basil leaves.