Blindfolded Peeled Tomatoes Test | Can I Guess the Top Brand?
When it comes to finding the right tomatoes to combine with pasta and pizza, Italian peeled tomatoes are hands down the best in the world. Of all the varieties, San Marzano tomatoes reign supreme—sweet, flavorful, and grown in limited supply, which makes them a bit pricier. Even though their quality is undeniable, they aren’t always easy to source, which is why I decided to conduct a Blindfolded Peeled Tomatoes Test to see whether other varieties can compete with this iconic choice.
Of course, there are other great options. Tomatoes from Parma, like those used by the Mutti brand, and those from Naples, found in Napolina cans, offer solid alternatives. These are more affordable, still sweet, and pack plenty of flavor.
Tomatoes are a pantry- essential, but with so many brands on the shelves, choosing the right one can be tricky. Not all cans are created equal, so I’m here to help you figure out which one stands out from the rest.
In this blind taste test, I’ve put 7 supermarket peeled tomato brands to the test, judging them on smell, sweetness, juiciness, and acidity to help you choose the best. By the end, you’ll know exactly which tomatoes to reach for next time you’re in the supermarket!
Watch Blind Taste Test: Unveiling the Best Peeled Tomatoes
Meet the contenders for today’s Blindfolded Peeled Tomatoes Test
- Ardmona
- Woolworths
- Napolina
- La Gina
- Annalisa
- Mutti
- Cirio
Ardmona
An Australian brand that uses locally grown tomatoes, Ardmona didn’t make a great first impression. There wasn’t much aroma, and it had a sort of metallic smell from the can. The taste was fresh but lacked sweetness and the acidity was pretty sharp.
Score: 5/10
Woolworths
Woolworths uses Italian peeled tomatoes, but the aroma is quite subtle. On the plus side, the sweetness is pleasant, though the tomatoes aren’t particularly juicy. The overall flavor is decent, but not premium.
Score: 6.5/10
Napolina
A well-known brand from Naples, Napolina uses tomatoes from the region, but surprisingly, there wasn’t much of a tomato aroma when I first smelled it. The flavor is nice, though not overly sweet—just an average, usable option.
Score: 6/10
La Gina
Although this is an Australian private label, La Gina uses Italian tomatoes. The aroma is inviting, but the consistency is a bit watery, and the tomatoes aren’t very juicy. It’s not very sweet, but the flavor is still decent. It could make a good sauce, but not as flavorful as some of the others.
Score: 5/10
Annalisa
Annalisa is another Australian brand, but they also use Italian peeled tomatoes. When I opened the can, it had a strong, fresh tomato smell, without any hint of preservatives. The taste is sweet, almost like there’s sugar added (don’t worry, there isn’t!), though it’s not very juicy. Overall, it has the boldest flavor and is quite enjoyable.
Score: 7.5/10
Mutti
This famous Italian brand, known for its high-quality Italian tomatoes, didn’t have a particularly strong smell, but what it lacked in aroma, it made up for in taste. These were the juiciest tomatoes of the bunch, and the flavor was fantastic.
Score: 8/10
Cirio
Another Italian brand, Cirio’s tomatoes didn’t have a strong scent, but they struck a nice balance between sweetness and juiciness. The tomato was large, and while it wasn’t the sweetest of the group, it was definitely flavorful and a reliable, average choice.
Score: 6.5/10
The Big Reveal: Which Peeled Tomatoes Take the Crown?
For La Gina and Ardmona, I’d only use them if I didn’t have other options. Both lack sweetness, and I’d recommend adding extra carrots to your sofrito to balance things out if you use them. Ardmona was my least favorite—there was an overpowering metallic can smell, and the flavor just wasn’t right, probably due to the added tomato paste.
Woolworths may have been the cheapest option, but it still scored better than I thought it would, right in the middle.
On the other hand, Cirio, a brand I’ve used for years, didn’t impress me this time. Not bad, but it didn’t live up to its usual standards.
Napolina surprised me in the wrong way. Given its proximity to the San Marzano growing region, I expected more, but it just didn’t deliver the standout flavor I hoped for.
As for the winners, I’m not surprised to see Mutti taking the crown. It’s consistently great, and I’ve never been disappointed with it. Annalisa, however, was a pleasant surprise. The smell was the best of the lot, which might be due to the 60% peeled plum tomatoes and 40% tomato juice—perhaps the juice played a role in enhancing the aroma. Despite Mutti being pricier, Annalisa offers fantastic quality at almost half the price. Neither of these had any acidity regulators, which really made a noticeable difference in the balance of flavors.
Conclusion of our Blindfolded Peeled Tomatoes Test
In the end, Mutti remains the premium choice—if you’re willing to spend a little extra, you can’t go wrong with it. But if you’re looking to save a bit of cash without sacrificing quality, Annalisa is the clear winner for me. Not only is it delicious, but you’ll also have extra room in your budget for more ingredients!
As for the other brands, they’re usable, but you might need to tweak your sofrito with more carrots, basil, or salt to bring the flavors up to par.
What peeled tomatoes do you usually buy? I know in the US, many of you tend to choose Cento, but it’s easy to let brand labels influence our choices. That’s why blind taste tests like this are so important—they help us make sure we’re picking the best option based on taste, not just reputation.
Now that you know which peeled tomatoes to add to your cart, it’s time to put them to use! Try these recipes next:
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