Hellmann’s Tomato Ketchup Sweetened only with Honey testers feedback thread NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the MNers who are trying this new ketchup with their families - read on to find out what they think!

Hellmann’s say “Hellmann’s Ketchup sweetened only with Honey. An all-natural recipe offering Mum’s more of the ingredients they want, and less of the ingredients they don’t – 36% more tomatoes, and 30% less sugar (vs. market leader standard tomato ketchup)”

Testers, please share your thoughts on the questions below and feel free to also tweet your comments and photos to @HellmannsUK (include @mumsnetinsight!)

What did you think overall about the product?
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?

Everyone who takes part and who shares feedback on the thread and by completing the survey will be entered into a prize draw where one tester will win a £300 supermarket voucher for the store of their choice.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

I like the idea of less sugar in my ketchup and I'm not keen on sweeteners, so this is an attractive proposition. To me it tasted more tomatoey and less sweet than Heinz ketchup. My children did a blind taste test with this product and Heinz (the only ketchup I'm allowed to buy!) and they both chose the Hellmans product. I'll definitely look out for it in the shops as long as the price point is right.

What did you think overall about the product?
We (me, DH, and DD(3) all quite liked it. My DD loved the bottle and thought it was made from bees
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
The main thing was the 30% less sugar.
How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
I thought it was quite sweet and my DH thought it was vinegary. DD didn't say either way but seemed happy to eat it.
Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
If it was a decent price I probably would but our preferred brand is Lidl's own ketchup so I think it would have to be on a pretty good promotion!
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
Probably, especially as it contains less sugar than other brands.

What did you think overall about the product?
We really liked this ketchup. It was a nice colour and had a great rich flavour.

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
The biggest appeal was the reduced amount of sugar.

How did it taste?
It was full of flavour - really rich and tasty.

What did other members of your family think about the taste?
My DS (7) loved it. He loves all sauces and uses them liberally. He enjoyed the taste of this one with his nuggetts.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Yes as I am trying to get less sugar into my families diet

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
Yes - as well as my son having it with his tea, we also had it with a family bbq whilst away camping. Everyone enjoyed it and said that they would consider buying it if it was competitively priced.

What did you think overall about the product? Great, clean squeezy bottle, lovely tomato-y taste and not overly sweet.

What appealed to you about trying it? As a family we avoid artificial sweeteners but also have an awareness of how much sugar we consume. This was a new kind of sweetness in a savoury product.

How did it taste? - it had an obviously different taste to our usual brand; more unctuous and sophisticated!

What did other members of your family think about the taste? - They loved it! My eldest adult son who was visiting said he'll be buying it.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why? Yes as it has a slightly more grown-up taste.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else? - Yes, already have!

What did you think overall about the product?
Tasted nice, ketchup-y. Everyone liked it.

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
Honestly I just wanted some freebie ketchup I have always had a preference for Heinz over other brands and wanted to expand/compare. Also I was hoping it would compete with our current brand on salt.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
Tasted great, exactly as expected and wanted. Everyone (myself, DH, DS) was happy with it.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Sadly... no. I realise that the point of this product is that it's sweetened with honey but honestly I don't care about this. Sugar is sugar and whether it comes from honey or cane or whatever I don't really care. I do care about salt content, which is why I buy reduced sugar ketchup - my 4 year old is a ketchup addict and eats enough that the salt content matters. This brand has more salt than my current brand. If a reduced salt version was introduced I would consider it?

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
If the person I was talking to was interested in "natural" forms of sugar then I would. Not particularly otherwise.

Thanks very much for picking me to test this. I tried it with my dp and 4 year old dd (a big ketchup fan!)
What did you think overall about the product? I thought it was packaged nice and tasted lovely. An interesting concept too
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader) All of this appealed. I tried a less sugar one before and it tasted too 'tomatoey'.
How did it taste? It tasted lovely, like natural ketchup with a kick. What did other members of your family think about the taste? My family thought it tasted nice too and have abandoned our other tomato ketchup for this.
Are you likely to buy it again? Yes And why? Tasted better than other ketchup
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why? Yes because it has less sugar, more tomato and tasted really nice.

Overall I really liked it, it is pa jäger well and looks like the kind of thing I would've picked up in the supermarket to try. I wanted to try it mainly because of the reduced sugar, and to see how it would taste with honey, and natural ingredients. I liked the taste and found it more tomatoey then my normal brand, and not too sweet. My kids loved it and the bottle didn't last too long with all of us trying it on different dishes, so I would say if I were to buy it I would need a larger bottle. Depending on the pricing I would probably buy this from the shop and I would recommend it to others if it came up, especially other family members who I think would enjoy the taste.

What did you think overall about the product?
Great size sample, thank you! All of us enjoyed it and liked the taste.

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
the reduced sugar content and increase of tomatoes.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
Not too sweet, a pleasant tang to it.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
I would not be averse to buying it if the price was right.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
Yes possibly, I know a few people trying to cut refined sugar so I think this would appeal.

What did you think overall about the product?
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
I really liked the idea of a ketchup with more tomatoes and less sugar, and the idea of using honey sounded really good (a bit like using honey in salad dressing I suppose). I was intrigued. We don't use a huge amount of ketchup so the health benefits are incidental rather than a huge worry.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste? Well, I'm sorry to say this but, no, we didn't like it. On of my DDs did, but the other two were not keen and my husband and I were happy to eat it, but would not necessarily choose it. We all thought it actually tasted slightly sour.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Not really, no. I was expecting something sweeter than usual ketchup -or the same at least. The actual taste was not enjoyable alas.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
Not really, no. I'm sorry. I really wanted to like it.

What did you think overall about the product?
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)

All of those things appealed. Although I did think it might have been all marketing and no real difference.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?

It was really nice and tomato-y. My fussy 10 year old who dislikes change and loves ketchup said it was the best ketchup she has ever had.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?

Yes. See above.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?

Yes I would, because it is actually a great product. I was a little cynical about it when I signed up to be honest, but am very glad we were chosen as testers.

What did you think overall about the product? What appealed to you about trying it?
The lower sugar, sweetened only with honey appealed to me the most.

How did it taste? What did other members of you family think about he taste?
I thought it seemed a lot sweeter, which is probably because of the higher concentration of tomatoes?! I liked the texture, it seemed thicker than other brands. My ds loved it, and asked if we could take it on holiday with us (we were going the following day).

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Yes. My DS is the main ketchup eater in this house and he loved it and I like the lower sugar content.

Are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
Yes, as above.

I answered all the questions earlier. Just wanted to add, it is growing on me - getting through to the bottom of the bottle now - and I find I prefer the tart rich tomatoeyness to Heinz which seems awfully sweet now.

Firstly thank you for the opportunity to test this and sorry for the later than I would prefer feedback but just had to get a chance to get on the laptop!

What did you think overall about the product? I liked it - it felt more grown up with the colours used on the packaging and the different tarty taste
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader) Definitely the fact it was way less sugar as one of my DC lives for ketchup and it worries me with his teeth
How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste? I really liked the taste as it felt more grown up as it wasn't as noxiously sweet as ketchup normally is and more real tomato flavour came through. The kids didn't mind it but I think they would still (moan) chose the regular stuff
Are you likely to buy it again? And why? I would buy it again for me as I liked the more natural tomatoey flavour
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why? I would recommend it in conversation because of the reduction in sugar and the more grown up taste

Overall, the bottle looked good, had a clear message and was easy to use. Kids noticed the honey info straight away.
The idea of using natural sweetener
It tasted good. We've had friends and family round too and they've all agreed that it's a good one. Not too sweet or vinegary.
Yes, depending on price
Yes

What did you think overall about the product?
We all enjoyed it. My children conducted a taste challenge with our usual brand and it was declared the winner 3 out of 4 times. I liked the packaging, the no mess cap and the ingredients which feature more tomatoes than our usual make and less sugar.

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
I wanted to try it because we have recently cut back a lot on our sugar intake and I probably would have bought this anyway.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
It tastes great. Like a high end product. We all like it.
Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Depending on the price, but based on the taste and quality I am very likely to buy it in the future.
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
We had a bbq last week and everyone tried it! I did recommend it and a friend has asked me since to remind her off the brand.

Our family really liked it and I will probably buy it again.

What did you think overall about the product?
I really liked it, I thought it tasted a lot more tomatoey and less artificial than other ketchups.

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
36% more tomatoes was very appealing and less sugar.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
I though it was delicious, my children liked it too. It tasted a lot less artificial and more like tomatoes than any other ketchup i have tried.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
I will definitely buy it again as long as it is not a ridiculous price.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
I would recommend it because i really liked the taste.

What did you think overall about the product? Was really nice the whole family enjoyed it.
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader).. It was the only sweetened with honey that sounded good Instead full of sugars
How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste? Tasted really nice I enjoyed it more than heinz which I normally buy all family really enjoyed it and said we should buy it again.
Are you likely to buy it again? And why? Yes as we all liked it and want to keep purchasing it.
And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why? Yeah I would like I said I think it's a lot tastier than heinz and would tell people that

Thanks for choosing us!

what i think of taste overall, loved it was much more tasty than i thought it would be.lots of things appealed to me about it, more tomatoes. more natural receipe/30% less sugar so must me more healthy to eat,we all loved the taste a really good flavour evan did a cover bottle up taste test on family so they did not know what make it was they all loved it. yes i would buy it again, and yes have already recommened it to friends and family, will look out in supermarket next time i am out shopping

What did you think overall about the product?
We really didn't like it very much at all - we are a big ketchup household and I think the biggest problem the kids had was that it tasted different to what they were expecting.

What appealed to you about trying it? -
Less refined sugar

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
We didn't like the taste - I thought it was overly sweet and tasted a bit raw - the kids verbalised this as "yucky"

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
No, no-one will eat it, still got 3/4 of the pot left

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why?
No

Unfortunately we didn't like it. I loved the idea of the natural ingredients and the extra tomatoes but it didn't taste as nice as even our usual Asda own brand. It was a very different taste from a 'normal' sweetened ketchup.

What did you think overall about the product?
Unfortunately we didn't like the taste of it at all!
What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
I thought it would taste nicer being sweetened with honey but it left a rather unpleasant aftertaste.

How did it taste? What did other members of your family think about the taste?
We tried it with our home made burgers and it was not a nice taste. My daughter's daughters who are huge honey lovers and both love ketchup really didn't like the taste either.
Are you likely to buy it again? And why? No because we didn't like it.

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why? Yes for the naturalness of the product but no for the taste but the taste side is each to their own.

What did you think overall about the product?
I liked it, good idea, healthier option

What appealed to you about trying it? - was it the all natural recipe, only being sweetened by honey, 36% more tomatoes + 30% less sugar (vs. market leader)
Natural and less sugar

How did it taste? Did the trick, sweet. You could tell it wasn't Heinz but miles better than those cheap imitations

What did other members of your family think about the taste? Son liked it too, I didn't try and fool him, he knew it was new. He uses a lot of ketchup so I was very keen for him to try it.

Are you likely to buy it again? And why?
Yes definitely. Less sugar better all round

And are you likely to recommend it to someone else - if it came up in conversation - and why
Yes, I think most friends know ketchup has a lot of sugar so an alternative for the kids

Dietitian here. I'm really saddened by this product. Just because something is "natural" it doesn't make it any healthier. Sugar comes from sugar cane/beet - natural products too.

Nutritionally, honey has the same effect on the body as sugar. Heinz are misleading the public into thinking they are making healthy changes when in reality they are swapping one product for another but not reducing sugar content. Honey, glucose, molasses, brown sugar, white sugar are all treated by the body as sugar and all have very similar numbers of calories. I would have hoped that Heinz would be slightly more responsible in their marketing.

It's Hellmann's. :)

So are you saying it is the same amount of sugar than normal ketchup? I read it as sweetened with honey but less sugar as you need less honey for a sweeter taste. Genuine question.