New contest!
Let’s look at how Yumbini Curried Turmeric Lentils and Rice stacks up against Tasty Bite Original Madras Lentils. Both feature lentils and an Indian flavor profile.
Round 1 - Packaging
Yumbini: thin lightweight plastic film pouch. Weight of packaging: 4 grams.
Tasty Bite: Thick plastic film with folded “gusset” at the bottom. Weight of packaging: 8 grams
Tasty Bite uses twice as much packaging material as Yumbini. (Food scientist note: this is because Tasty Bite is packaged in what is called a “retort pouch”. The product is sterilized in the pouch to make it shelf stable. This process uses high heat and pressure which requires a thick, sturdy package.)
ROUND 1 WINNER: YUMBINI
ROUND 2 - INGREDIENTS
Yumbini Curried Lentils and Rice:
INGREDIENTS: PRECOOKED DRIED LENTILS, PRECOOKED ENRICHED LONG GRAIN RICE (RICE, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMIN, FOLIC ACID), SUNFLOWER OIL, SPICES (INCLUDING TURMERIC), DRIED RED BELL PEPPER, SALT, DRIED SPINACH, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, CITRIC ACID.
Tasty Bite Original Madras Lentils:
INGREDIENTS: WATER, BLACK LENTILS*, RED KIDNEY BEANS*, CREAM*, TOMATO PASTE*, LESS THAN 2% OF DRIED ONION*, BUTTER, SALT, SUNFLOWER OIL*, AND/OR CANOLA OIL* AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL*, CUMIN POWDER*, CHILI PEPPER POWDER*, DRIED GINGER*. *ORGANIC
CONTAINS: MILK.
This product has been processed in a facility that also processes milk, cashews, coconut, wheat, peanuts, soy and sesame.
The first ingredient in Tasty Bite is water. It is a sauce with some beans and spices. You must provide your own rice. But it is certified organic, which is a plus. On the downside, it is not vegan (contains cream), and also has an allergen warning for processes milk, cashews, coconut, wheat, peanuts, soy and sesame.
The first ingredient in Yumbini is lentils. It contains no allergens or animal derived ingredients. But it is not organic.
ROUND 2 WINNER: TIE
ROUND 3 - NUTRITION FACTS
An exact comparison is difficult here because Tasty Bite does not include rice, so it is not a complete meal like Yumbini. The Tasty Bite package says it contains “About 2” 2/3 cup servings per container. This is a very small serving, but even so, per serving:
• Tasty Bite is higher in sodium than Yumbini: 510 mg vs. 480 mg. (Food scientist note: 480 mg sodium is the limit to call a food “healthy” according to the FDA.)
• Tasty Bite is higher in saturated fat than Yumbini: 3g vs 0.8g.
• Yumbini has more dietary fiber than Tasty Bite: 7g vs 6g.
• Yumbini has much more protein than Tasty Bite: 15g vs. 6g. (Even the entire package of Tasty Bite has only 11g protein vs. 15g for Yumbini.)
• Yumbini also has more potassium and iron.
All in all, Yumbini has more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff than Tasty Bite. And if you eat the entire pouch of Tasty Bite, instead of just half, its even worse.
ROUND 3 WINNER: YUMBINI
ROUND 4 - Country of Origin
Tasty Bite: Product of India.
Yumbini: manufactured in California, USA. (Food scientist note: Any imported product (made in another country), must be labeled “Product of ____(country). This is not required for products produced in the US.)
Tasty Bite, is authentically Indian, whereas Yumbini is made close to home.
ROUND 4 WINNER: TIE
Round 5 - Preparation
Yumbini takes 5-6 minutes start to finish to prepare (microwave or stovetop). The Tasty Bite pouch heats in 1 minute in the microwave or 4 minutes on the stovetop. But then you need some rice. That could take anywhere from a couple minutes if using pre-cooked rice, or 20 minutes or more using a rice cooker.
ROUND 5 WINNER: TIE
Round 6 - Flavor
Yumbini Curried Lentils and Rice:
Bright yellow rice with brown lentils and colorful bits of red bell pepper and green spinach. Firm, toothsome texture; moist like rice and seasoned lentils mixed together, not mushy or saucy. Spicy typical curry flavor, slight earthy notes from turmeric.
Tasty Bite Original Madras Lentils:
Thick, slightly gummy sauce with a few soft lentils and beans. Very very mild flavor, almost no spice other than salt. Like a mild gravy. Color is a red brown. Even though packed with salt, does not taste particularly salty.
ROUND 6 WINNER: YUMBINI
Round 7 - Serving Size
Yumbini Curried Lentils and Rice: makes a satisfying 1.5 cup bowl of lentils and rice. Very filling, perfect size for a lunch for one person.
Tasty Bite Original Madras Lentils:
Pouch contains sauce only. Not clear how many people it is expected to serve. Label says it contains about 2 (2/3 cup) servings per container, but only measured 1 and ¾ servings. When mixed with rice, best flavor is with more Tasty Bite sauce (about 1 cup sauce and ½ cup rice). Many consumers probably eat the whole pouch which would provide 30% daily value of saturated fat and a whopping 1040mg, or 45% daily value of sodium.
ROUND 7 WINNER: YUMBINI
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
YUMBINI CURRIED LENTILS AND RICE!
Q&A
Q: Why do you say the winner is Yumbini?
A: Based on Yumbini’s superior flavor, nutritional profile, easy, clear serving size, and less packaging.
Q: What if I just like Tasty Bite?
A: That’s a personal decision, but be aware that Tasty Bite Original Madras Lentils is quite high in salt and saturated fat, both of which are not good for your health.
Q: How can I make Yumbini creamier and saucier like Tasty Bite?
A: If you are looking for a moister dish, feel free to add extra water or a few spoonsful of unsweetened yogurt to your Yumbini Curried Lentils and Rice.
