Barilla is expanding its pesto brand to meet consumers’ growing appetite for a genuine Italian flavor in the US market. The range offers spicy, sweet, and creamy notes to satisfy diverse preferences, the pasta company tells Italianfood.net. To those in the kitchen, pesto is often seen as a one-trick pony to enhance a meal. Barilla wants to reinvent the classic sauce to add Italian flavor to any dish.
“This Barilla expansion meets consumers’ growing appetite for genuine Italian flavor with a range that offers creamy, spicy, and sweet notes to satisfy diverse preferences,” says Matt Michaels, Pesto Brand Manager. “With iconic Mediterranean flavor profiles, we believe these Pesto sauces will not only inspire new culinary creations but also bring people together around delicious meals, becoming a cherished staple in kitchens across the country.”
THREE BOLD NEW FLAVORS
Here is how Barilla describes the Pesto flavors:
- Creamy Tomato Pesto: A smooth blend of sun-ripened tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and PDO Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheeses.
- Sweet and Spicy Pepper Pesto: A velvety mixture of freshly grated Italian cheeses, red peppers, and chili peppers produces a sweet, mild heat.
- Vegan Pesto: A creamy, yet surprisingly vegan option crafted from 100% Italian basil with no cheese, boasting vibrant flavor and a smooth texture.
The new varieties, including Rustic Basil and Creamy Genovese, complement Barilla’s Pesto portfolio.
FOOD TRENDS
‘Swicy’ is the must-know food trend combining sweet and spicy flavors. Summer 2024 was dubbed the “The Summer of Swicy”. Barilla is aware consumers are craving this flavor, so part of the rollout includes the Sweet and Spicy Pepper Pesto.
According to a leading market research company, Technavio, the pesto sauces market is forecast to increase by USD 936.2 million between 2023 and 2028.
