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Original poster

Pesto question...

31 replies

almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 14:48

Hi,
My little one loves Pesto and after a long summer in Tuscany we all consumed a lot of it! Is this the same with others? As a result I'm considering starting a small pesto business with fresh pesto and also making different twists such as pistachio nut and kale pesto, rocket pesto etc. I would also plan on doing one that is better for kids, using nuts that have lowest level of salt/fat and not adding any nasties at all. Does this interest parents? Would it be something that you would buy if you saw it at a farmers market or deli shops? Interested in people's views. I'm so frustrated with the jar pesto quality and think that only fresh is worth having but some of the store ones have high salt and tastes so much better when handmade! Thanks for any thoughts or views. Want to be sure there is a market for it before doing too much!
Thanks all
Mark

OP posts:
Pointlessfan · 13/09/2015 14:53

I might be interested. DD adores pesto but making it at home needs such a lot of herbs. I grow some but one portion of pesto uses the whole lot in one go!
Agree some shop ones are rubbish. It would depend on price though to be honest.

Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 15:01

Thanks for responding and good to know. Probably looking at £3.50 for a 150ml tub which is more than the ambient jars by about a £1. Obviously it is pricier but hoping the benefit of being fresh, using locally grown ingredients and a focus on being healthier and a little different to traditional ones would justify it. As you the cost to make is quite high because of the herbs used!

OP posts:
NotTodaySatan · 13/09/2015 15:07

Sounds good.

I buy a fresh one from Ocado every week (DC adore it) and it's quite pricey. £5 for 130g.

Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 15:10

That is quite pricey, but guess it's worth it if it's in he basket every week! Is it the classic pesto you would only be interested in or do you think that different varieties would also interest you...e.g pesto with a hint of balsamic vinegar, zucchini pesto, rocket, mint, kale, spinach etc?

OP posts:
RiverTam · 13/09/2015 15:10

Would you use vegetarian Parmesan? I only buy the sacla organic pesto as its veggie, or make my own.

Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 15:11

Also, does the 'lower salt' etc do anything for you? Ie would you be more likely to buy fresh pesto with this benefit for your children (can't see any fresh ones like this on the market now)

OP posts:
ElderlyKoreanLady · 13/09/2015 15:14

Pesto is a weird one. Despite the health claims you're hoping to be able to make with an adjusted recipe, I just wouldn't buy it at that price. I do buy jars of pesto though. But they're for convenience and they keep for loads longer than fresh. For the £3.50 you'd be selling at, I could easily make something similar...especially as the low fat/salt aspirations mean you'd likely be using less of the more expensive ingredients.

That said, I would buy it if the flavours you made were particularly interesting.

Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 15:29

Really useful feedback, thanks. It is interesting to hear the views coming through. Price is clearly important but could be something in doing different flavours and variants for different diets

OP posts:
LemonPied · 13/09/2015 15:34

I wouldn't dream of spending that much on pesto to be honest.

Bunbaker · 13/09/2015 15:53

I bought some vegan pesto at a food festival earlier this year and it was desperately disappointing, so I suggest you cross that one off the list.

BikeRunSki · 13/09/2015 15:59

I love pesto, but my DC hate it (weirdos).
I would buy a lower salt version.
Not sure I'd spend £3.50 on it though.

Strawclutching · 13/09/2015 16:03

I've just done this! I think unless you're growing your own basil costs are quite high. Also it's a high risk product food poisoning wise so you have to be quite careful (you need pepper chillers) but it is easy to make and if you can find the right market I'm sure it would be a good business. I don't think we're going to continue with it but I enjoyed it while it lasted and I think there is s need!

Bunbaker · 13/09/2015 16:09

"Also it's a high risk product food poisoning wise"

Yes it is, especially if it contains garlic. There is a risk of garlic containing clostridium botulinum and growing botulism spores if it is kept unrefrigerated or kept for too long.

See here

Groovee · 13/09/2015 16:24

I wouldn't due to the nuts! We have a child with a nut allergy! So I would continue to make my own but free version.

mrspremise · 13/09/2015 16:33

Groovee I use sunflower seeds for pesto sometimes, would that work for you, or are they allergenic too?

cdtaylornats · 13/09/2015 16:36

It sounds like the kind of product that would fit in the same type of selling space as the Vini and Bal's curry sauces

Onykahonie · 13/09/2015 17:52

I was going to say no outright, but then thought of a product I'd actually buy (at the right price!).

You know the frozen cubes of ginger/garlic? I'd buy a pesto version, so I can use as much as I like, with no waste.
Maybe a nut free or vegan version would be good, but essentially, I'd want something that tastes like 'real' pesto...veggie parmesan would be a bonus.

KittyandTeal · 13/09/2015 17:56

Tbh I probably wouldn't. We have all the constituent parts in the house so I just buy a basil plant with my shopping. It's one of my quickest, easiest meals to make and fairly cheap too.

Maybe it would be worth visiting some local farm shop type places, I know the ones around here sell all sorts of small batch 'home made' stuff.

Turquoisedance · 13/09/2015 18:30

I baulk at paying £2.50 for my favourite Sacla pesto for what is ultimately just a few mushed up leaves.

Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 19:54

Interesting comments all, thanks so much. Interesting also about the food poisoning point...haven't even considered this at all. Obviously would have to go through the relevant checks and certificates etc but didn't consider the possible challenges with garlic in oil. Various points around price which has surprised me a little but also good to know. Been looking at nice premium packaging and stuff, but sends the costs up quite a bit. Based on this feedback, it may be worth getting a cheaper container so I can bring the price down a little.

OP posts:
Original poster
almostdadof2 · 13/09/2015 19:56

Other quick question...does everyone like/love the sacla jarred pesto, or is it bought more because people haven't got the time to make fresh pesto or is too expensive?

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 13/09/2015 20:04

I like Sacla pesto a lot. I use it because I CBA to make home made pesto, or rather I CBA to wash the food processor up afterwards, and I don't always have loads of fresh basil in the house.

Onykahonie Sacla now sell little pots of pesto which are ideal for 1 or 2 people.

Onykahonie · 13/09/2015 20:10

I far prefer fresh pesto, but it's too expensive to buy regularly and doesn't keep. I do make my own from time to time, but my mini processor doesn't get it as smooth as I'd like.
Just discovered little mini ambient pots of pesto which are great for paninis etc. when you don't want to open a jar, hence my idea for frozen pesto cubes.

BIWI · 13/09/2015 20:11

Have you paid MN for doing your research here?

Onykahonie · 13/09/2015 20:12

Bunbaker, I x-posted with you...found those this week!

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