Look out, Better Than Bouillon! There's about to be a new product on our shelves.
Penzeys calls these "soup bases", but they're really more of a concentrated stock or bouillon. A few scoops dissolved in a pot of water is instant soup awesomeness. And with Penzeys reputation for high quality spices and products, we have no doubt that this will be true.
Penzeys has seven different bases in their line-up: beef, chicken, turkey, ham, seafood, pork, and vegetable. These all come in 8-ounce jars and do not require refrigeration. There are some preservatives in there, but the first ingredient listed on every single label is what comes in the jar. The turkey stock is made with turkey; the beef with beef; and so on.
The ham is specified on the packaging as "smoked," an intriguing concept for the times when we don't have a ham hock around for adding that flavor to beans and soups. We're also curious to try the seafood soup base since we very rarely have enough leftover shrimp or lobster shells to make our own stock.
We're hoping to pick up a jar from our local brick-and-mortar Penzeys sometime in the next few weeks and will definitely report back on our findings.
Has anyone tried these yet? What do you think?
• Find Them: Soup Bases from Penzeys, $8.39 for a 12-ounce jar
Related: Pantry Staples: Make Your Own Vegetable Bouillon
(Image: Penzeys)
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These aren't new... I used to buy the chicken but I don't remember the flavor as being better than Better Than Bouillon. Better Than Bouillon is easier for me to get, so I tend to buy that instead.
As the previous posted stated, these have been around for a while. Some flavors may be new. I loves the Penzey's spices, so I would imagine these are excellent as well.
As a lover of all things Penzey's, I've been using many of these for years. I would agree with shipwrecks that Better Than Bouillon has more concentrated flavor for cooking, but for use strictly as a "soup base", the Penzey's bases are excellent. You do have to use a lot of base to make a really flavorful stock.
Yeah, I've bought the chicken one and seafood one a while ago - The chicken makes a great, not too salty broth. However, you'll have to use quite a bit of it to make a very flavorful stock. It's nice to have on hand.
Like others have said, these have been around for years, and they aren't a great sub for better than boullion because unlike BTB, they have msg. :(
Wow! I usually order online and didn't notice these until I happened by a brick-and-mortar store. The things you miss... Can't wait to try these!
I tend to make my own vegetable stock/broth, but I always keep a can of the Penzey's vegetable soup base around for when I'm in a pinch. It's tasty (and easier for me to get than Better than Bullion, so I can't speak to that).
I'm a Penzey's fan and really like the Soup Bases. I've tried Chicken, Beef and Vegetable and liked them all! I haven't tried the Better than Bouillon, but I will admit to using more than the suggested base to water ratio as I didn't think the flavor was strong enough. However, I tend to over do it on seasoning period.
I've been using these for at least 5 years--I have the whole line-up. The Ham is spectacular--I often use it to flavor bean soup and don't even miss the ham hock. I also really love the Turkey and Seafood bases, using them often to punch up a soup. They aren't cheap, but they have excellent flavor and are so convenient.
I've use the seafood version fairly regularly. I like it, but there aren't a whole lot of other options for seafood base to begin with.
I was just thinking I need a re-up, so I think I'll try the vegetable and the ham, too.
I wish they were organic though.
I didn't know they made these. Loves me some Better Than Bouillon but it drives me nuts something as simple as having to go grab it out the fridge when i need it.
Love Penzey's, but I haven't bought these yet. We used to use another brand at a restaurant I worked at, though. The only reason I haven't gotten them is because I cook for a baby now and worry about sodium content. But I bet the flavor rocks.
I just want to point out that Tzurriz is not correct, there is no MSG in anything from Penzey's - soup base included.
I have the vegetable and use it all the time, though they do recommend you refrigerate it. Still, one jar lasts me a long time and it's easier to have on hand than a bunch of stock.