The Grocer’s New Product Awards 2022: Vegan Dips & Sauces

Winner – Belazu Ingredient Co Ve-Du-Ya

This “outstanding product” from Belazu takes the spicy, spreadable pork sausage ingredient ’nduja – fast growing in popularity thanks to its use on pizzas – and turns it into a plant-based sauce suitable for the booming meat-free market. Judges said it delivered a fantastic flavour underpinned by a “beautifully balanced heat” that knocked one judge’s “socks off” with a powerful punch from the chilli. “This is an absolute winner,” they said.

Plenty of work went into achieving that end result. The brand tested many different textures and levels of fattiness, trialling them in pizza ovens and in multiple other applications to get the product right. It even looked at the regionalisation of different Italian products, exploring the area of Calabria known for its explosively hot chillies.

“The care in creating this product shines through,” said judges. “A great product by any measure, not only as an alternative to meat-based ’nduja but as a versatile and flavourful ingredient in many different contexts.”

Highly commended: Filippo Berio Vegan Sundried Tomato Pesto

Finalist:

• Heinz Made for Veggiez Chilli & Miso Dressing

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