Joybuy Insights

The Ultimate Guide to Canned Tomatoes: Find the Perfect Match

A sauce with real character, a perfectly simmered stew, a comforting soup… What's their shared secret? An excellent canned tomato. But between pulp, purée, and paste, the supermarket aisle can quickly become overwhelming. Don't panic!

Follow our guide to finally make sense of it all, make the right choice every time, and elevate all your dishes.

Pulp, Purée, Paste: The Right Tomato for Every Recipe

To ensure you never hesitate in the aisle again, here's a quick overview of the three essentials. It's all about texture and intensity.

1. Tomato Pulp (or Diced Tomatoes)

Also known as diced tomatoes, pulp is made from peeled tomatoes cut into cubes, packed in their own juice. It's the canned product that's closest to the fresh fruit.

  • Texture: Tender pieces that add bite and body to your dishes.
  • Best for: It's the ideal tomato sauce base for recipes where texture is key: stews, chili con carne, rustic pasta sauces, or bruschetta toppings. Its quick cooking time preserves a fresh tomato taste.

2. Tomato Purée (or Passata)

Tomato purée, or passata for the purists, is made from tomatoes that have been sieved to create a result with no skin or seeds. Its consistency is perfectly smooth and fluid.

  • Texture: Smooth, coating, and velvety.
  • Best for: Creamy sauces, soups, and, of course, as a pizza base. Its uniform texture coats ingredients perfectly, with no chunks.

3. Tomato Paste

As its name suggests, tomato paste is a true flavour bomb. Made by cooking tomatoes for a long time to evaporate the water, it offers a much more intense taste. It's available in single, double, or triple-concentrated versions.

  • Texture: A thick, dense paste.
  • Used for: This is the secret ingredient to use sparingly! A small spoonful is all it takes to enrich a sauce, deepen a broth, or boost the flavour of a stew. It adds a ruby colour and an unbeatable umami flavour.

Top Canned Tomato Recommendations

Enough theory, let's get practical! Here are three products that caught our eye for their quality and versatility.

MUTTI Double Concentrated Tomato Paste 130 g

MUTTI Double Concentrated Tomato Paste 130 g

Why we love it A pantry staple, and for good reason! This double concentrated tomato paste is a reliable choice for adding body and complexity to any dish. Its strength lies in its intense flavour and deep colour, derived from high-quality Italian tomatoes (made with 99.5% tomatoes). Its thick texture is perfect for binding sauces, while the ultra-convenient tube allows for easy portioning and optimal storage for up to 20 days in the fridge.

Who is it for? For cooks looking to add depth of flavour to their stews, bolognese sauces, or sauce bases, without altering the overall texture.

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MUTTI Tomato Purée Zero Pesticide Residue 3x200g

MUTTI Tomato Puree Zero Pesticides 3x200g

Why we love it This tomato purée from Mutti's "Zero Pesticide Residue" range ticks all the boxes. The brand guarantees a product from controlled supply chains, for an authentic taste without compromise. We love its perfectly smooth and velvety passata texture, ready-to-use for a quick sauce. Made with 99.5% tomatoes and just a hint of salt, it comes in small 200g cartons—a clever format for cooking without waste.

Who is it for? For consumers who are conscious of what's in their food and are looking for a healthy, quick, and convenient tomato sauce base for their everyday meals.

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DE RICA Tomato Pulp 400 g

DE RICA Tomato Pulp 400 g

Why we love it De Rica's promise: 100% Italian, sun-ripened tomatoes, harvested and canned within hours for maximum freshness. The result is a tomato pulp with a unique texture, featuring very fine pieces that give it unparalleled body. Its ultra-simple ingredients (100% tomato pulp, with no additives) make it a top choice for recipes with an authentic taste. A bonus: the product is Halal certified and suitable for vegan diets.

Who is it for? For those who enjoy the texture of tomato pieces in their dishes and are looking for a natural product with an authentic taste for their Italian recipes or curries.

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And Much More…

Our selection is just a taste of what's available! Canned cherry tomatoes, organic preparations, family-size formats... The world of canned tomatoes is much broader.

Feel free to explore our full range to find the product that perfectly matches your needs.

Discover our full range of Tomatoes and Purées

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What's the difference between tomato pulp and tomato purée? It's all about texture! Pulp (diced tomatoes) contains pieces, which gives a more rustic and chunky result. Purée (passata), on the other hand, is a completely smooth liquid, with no skin or seeds, perfect for velvety sauces.

2. How should I store leftover canned tomatoes? The best practice: once the can is open, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container (preferably glass). The metal of the can may oxidise and alter the taste when exposed to air. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 3 to 5 days. For tomato paste in a tube, simply reseal it tightly.

3. Can you make a sauce using only tomato paste? Absolutely not! Tomato paste is a flavour enhancer, not a sauce base. It's far too potent to be used on its own. You should dilute it (with water or broth) or add a small amount to a pulp or purée base to intensify its flavour and colour.


Published by the Joybuy editorial team