In the cold months, spooning is a pleasure, and few dishes arouse as much passion as a traditional Asturian stew. resort to canned legumes it will never be the same, but they are an acceptable resource when we don’t have the time or the means to cook at home. However, the differences in quality between one brand and another can be abysmal, and since we are going to eat from a can, it is better to do it well and with taste.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has updated its report on the main canned fabadas that we can find in supermarkets throughout Spain to analyze their ingredients, labeling, price and flavor, comparing brands and manufacturers. Its conclusions are a good guide to choose the best canned fabada looking for that balance between taste pleasure and nutritional quality, without having to leave our pocket too much.
On this occasion the OCU has analyzed 17 canned fabadas, both supermarket brands and first references, including the best-known firms that come to advertise on television. But not always what shines the most is the best, and, especially in times of economic difficulties like the one we are experiencing, white brands should not be disdained.
As usual, the organization analyzes the packaging, labeling, nutritional composition and ingredients, paying special attention to the presence of additives or aromas added. In addition, a quality control is carried out, testing the food safety of the packaging and its conservation, to end with a expert tasting who taste and judge each stew for its organoleptic qualities.
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Supermarket canned fabadas, from best to worst
Although none quite hit the “high quality” category, there’s also no suspense, although it’s surprising to find in last position an alleged reference gourmet more artisan, as is the fabada of the range of our land of Carrefourwhich is also one of the most expensive.
The ones that do stand out for their overall note, considering the value for money, are three private label fabadas, which repeat the podium from the previous analysis. Thus, the best and considered “master purchase” is the Asturian fabada from Eroski, a 435 g can that costs 1.20 euros. Following it closely we find the fabada de To fieldwhich contains five grams more and currently costs only 1.05 euros, and the fabada de Save more, for 1.25 euros. Mercadona’s, however, remains among the worst valued.
|
PRODUCT |
REFERENCE PRICE |
OVERALL QUALITY |
FULL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eroski Asturian fabada |
€2.76/kg |
Good quality |
75 |
|
Auchan (Alcampo) Asturian fabada |
€2.38/kg |
Good quality |
74 |
|
Alipende (Ahorramas) Asturian fabada |
€2.76/kg |
Good quality |
72 |
|
Asturian fabada wheelbarrow |
€4.30/kg |
Good quality |
70 |
|
Litoral Asturian fabada -30% fat and salt |
€5.42/kg |
Good quality |
70 |
|
Asturian fabada with spoon |
€4.02/kg |
Good quality |
69 |
|
Spread Asturian fabada |
€3.31/kg |
Good quality |
69 |
|
Laurel fabada asturiana IGP faba asturiana |
€14.76/kg |
Good quality |
66 |
|
Asturian fabada white |
€5.11/kg |
Good quality |
65 |
|
Auchan Gourmet (Alcampo) gourmet Asturian fabada |
€2.53/kg |
Good quality |
65 |
|
Asturian fabada microwave wheelbarrow |
€7.09/kg |
Medium quality |
64 |
|
Rogusa Asturian fabada |
€7.25/kg |
Medium quality |
62 |
|
Asturian bean hermitage |
€11.96/kg |
Medium quality |
61 |
|
Landowner (Mercadona) Asturian fabada |
€3.14/kg |
Medium quality |
58 |
|
De Nuestra Tierra (Carrefour) Asturian fabada |
€12.50/kg |
Medium quality |
56 |
Of the three best ones, the one with the most calories is Alcampo’s, with 165 kcal per 100 g, although it is not far from the average of the others, which are around 150 kcal per 100 g. The Eroski stew is also the one that more percentage of legume it has (55%) and less amount of saturated fat and salt.
Photo | iStock
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