The Store-Bought Vegetable Broth To Avoid On Your Next Grocery Trip - Tasting Table

"We noted that when compared to other store-bought broths and broth bases like Pacific Foods or Better than Bullion, Kettle & Fire's version had a strong tomato flavor (organic tomato paste is high on the ingredient list and tomato specks are visible in the broth). While this is not inherently a bad thing, other broths featuring celery (notably missing from Kettle & Fire's ingredients) and a balance of vegetable and savory flavors were noticeably more comforting."

"While you certainly could try Kettle & Fire's vegetable stock to see if it meets your taste expectations, it's probably best to choose another brand or stick with their bone broth products. Some consumers of the brand report liking the vegetable broth after adding seasonings to the mix to round out the flavor. While it is typical to doctor up a store-bought broth with aromatics like garlic, a good vegetable stock shouldn't necessarily require so many adjustments."

Seven store-bought vegetable broths were sampled and ranked, with Kettle & Fire's organic vegetable broth placing last. The product exhibits an imbalanced, tomato-forward profile and was described as too acidic, likely because organic tomato paste is high on the ingredient list and tomato specks are visible. Celery is notably absent from the ingredients, reducing vegetal and savory balance. The broth contains comparatively lower sodium (480 milligrams per 1 cup serving), but the combination of lower salt and higher acidity undermines comfort and versatility. Some consumers prefer to add seasonings, though a good vegetable stock should already provide savory, earthy, and umami balance.

Read at Tasting Table