Creating authentic Italian dishes requires high-quality base ingredients. An intense and aromatic tomato paste is often the foundation for the unmistakable flavour of sauces, soups, and stews. The Oro di Parma brand is a household name for many home cooks when it comes to Italian tomato products. However, the range offers different varieties, each optimised for specific culinary purposes.
This article provides an objective overview of selected Oro di Parma tomato paste products. The goal is to present the specific characteristics of each variety so you can make an informed decision for your next dish.
Choosing the right tomato paste depends on the desired flavour intensity and the preparation effort involved. Three criteria can help with your selection.
The concentration indicates how much the tomato paste has been reduced and the percentage of tomato solids.
For efficient preparation, flavoured varieties are an excellent option. Products like Tomato Paste with Garlic or Tomato Paste with Vegetables already contain additional flavour components. This can shorten preparation time, as it partially eliminates the need to separately chop and sauté onions, carrots, or garlic. These varieties are a convenient base for when you need to cook quickly without sacrificing aromatic depth.
Finding the right tomato paste for sauce is crucial for the final result. A pure, highly concentrated paste gives you full control over the seasoning. A variety already enhanced with vegetables or herbs provides a ready-made flavour base that only needs to be supplemented. For a classic Italian tomato paste aroma, sun-ripened tomatoes and careful processing are essential, as is customary for products from the Parma region.
Here you will find a detailed presentation of three different varieties of Oro di Parma tomato paste, each meeting different kitchen requirements.
What makes it special: This variety combines double-concentrated tomato paste with the savoury note of garlic. It was developed to effortlessly impart a robust, aromatic garlic flavour to dishes while reducing preparation time.
Benefits:
Who it's for: This product is ideal for home cooks who appreciate the taste of garlic in their dishes but want to skip the extra preparation step.
What makes it special: This triple-concentrated tomato paste is made exclusively from sun-ripened tomatoes from the Parma region. With a dry matter content of at least 36%, it delivers a particularly intense and rich tomato flavour.
Benefits:
Who it's for: Recommended for cooks seeking a pure, unadulterated, and very potent tomato flavour for their sauces and stews, who want to retain full control over further seasoning.
What makes it special: This variety is a combination of double-concentrated tomato paste and a mix of classic seasoning vegetables. It serves as a ready-made base reminiscent of an Italian soffritto.
Benefits:
Who it's for: A great choice for anyone looking for a time-saving yet flavourful base for a variety of dishes, especially for quick everyday cooking with an Italian flair.
If the products presented here do not exactly meet your requirements or if you wish to explore the entire range, you can find other alternatives. A broader selection of brands and concentrations can help you find the perfect product for your recipe.
Explore our entire range of Tomato Paste Concentrate here.
What is the difference between double and triple-concentrated tomato paste? The main difference lies in the water content and the resulting flavour intensity. Triple-concentrated tomato paste contains more tomato solids (typically over 36%) and is therefore more intense in flavour and darker in colour. Double-concentrated tomato paste has a lower solids content (typically around 28–30%) and is slightly milder and fruitier.
What is the best way to use tomato paste in a sauce? For intense flavour development, it is recommended to briefly toast the tomato paste in a little oil before adding liquid (like water, broth, or wine). This process caramelises the sugars in the paste and reduces its acidity, resulting in a rounder, deeper flavour.
How should I store opened tomato paste? Once opened, tomato paste should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. According to manufacturer instructions, it is advisable to transfer the contents to an airtight container after opening and store at 2–4 °C. As a rule, it should be consumed within a few days (often 3–7 days, depending on the product) to maintain its quality and flavour. Please refer to the specific instructions on the packaging.