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Pesto reviews

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Last updated: 10 August 2020
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We blind taste test and compare 13 supermarket basil pestos, from Aldi, Leggo's, Jamie Oliver, Sacla and more, to find you the best.

  • Discover the top-rated pesto by CHOICE experts.
  • Sort by price, brand, sodium content and more.
  • Check out our pesto buying guide for the in-depth comparison and a recipe for making your own.
  • Get your free guide to all our taste test winners.
 
How we test

Products

We tested 13 pesto products that are available in major supermarket chains. Price is based on the jar size specified bought in Sydney stores (not on special) in May/June 2020.

Tasting

Our experts tasted the pesto samples 'blind' (without knowing the brands). They independently judged and scored each sample for appearance, aroma, flavour and texture.

Scores

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of taste 90% (50% flavour, 20% texture, 20% aroma and 10% appearance) and nutrition 10% (based on the Health Star Rating, calculated from the details in the nutrition information panel and converted to a percentage). 

We recommend pesto products with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% or more.

Matthew Steen
By Rachel Clemons
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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    Pack price in Sydney supermarkets (not on special) in May/June 2020.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 1.89 and 5.3

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    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

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    Price per 100g

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    Based on the price paid for specified pack sizes in Sydney supermarkets (not on special) in May/June 2020.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 0.99 and 2.79

    Taste score

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    The experts tasted all samples blind (without knowing the brands). The taste score is weighted as follows: 50% flavour, 20% texture, 20% aroma and 10% appearance.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 26 and 78

    Nutrition score

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    Nutrition score is based on the product's Health Star Rating displayed on the pack or calculated from the details in the nutrition information panel, and converted to a percentage.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 20 and 50

    Percentage of basil

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    As per the ingredients list on the pack.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 12.5 and 58

    Vegan

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    Whether the product contains no animal content and is suitable for vegans.

      Shop Ethical rating

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      Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

        Included in this review

        Members-only access
        • Shop Ethical rating
        • Recommended
        • CHOICE Expert Rating
        • Taste score
        • Nutrition score
        • Pack size (g)
        • Price
        • Price per 100g
        • Energy per 100g (kJ)
        • Protein per 100g (g)
        • Fat per 100g (g)
        • Saturated fat per 100g (g)
        • Sugars per 100g (g)
        • Sodium per 100g (mg)
        • Percentage of basil
        • Vegan
        • Ingredients
        • Percentage of Australian ingredients
        • Country of origin
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