The latest hit that every parent surely knows is baby food in a hand-held pouch. The classic purée is practically packaged so that children can hold it themselves. It has several practical advantages: it always fits even into a mini handbag, you don't need any spoon, children practically eat it straight from the packaging, and the last big plus is that children basically don't get messy.
We simply adore them, but lately we haven't been able to find our way around the wide range, so together with Zuzana we tested the ten most available and best-known brands. We were interested mainly in parameters such as the proportion of fruit, the sugar content compared with the price, and also the taste. If you are curious about the results, here you go, read on. For statistics lovers who like tables we have prepared a clear table, and you will learn more from the texts...
Hami, 4+ Apples and banana
Price: €6 for a pack of 6 pieces of 90g
The pouch contains 90g and is made of 100% fruit (banana and apple) with no added sugar, it contains no gluten either, and has no artificial colourings and no preservatives. It tastes very pleasant, more of banana, a little sweeter. The thickness is higher and it doesn't spill out of the packaging even when turned upside down. This product is made in France.
Rating 4
Ovko, 6+ Apple, plum and banana
Price: €0.72 for 1 piece of 120g
In this case the 120 g content is made up of 100% fruit and also has no added sugar. The manufacturer states that it is gluten-free, but in the description you will find a warning that it may contain gluten in a proportion of less than 20mg/kg. A plus is that it is our Slovak product. The taste is very delicate and pleasant, all the fruit is blended into a really smooth mass. However, it is runnier, and when you turn the pouch upside down the contents spill out.
Rating 3
Ella´s Kitchen, 6+ The orange one
Price : €1.55 for 1 piece of 90g
At first glance it is obvious that this is an ORGANIC product, made of 100% organic, blended fruit. The product has no added sugar, is gluten-free and lactose-free. It is also suitable for vegetarians and made in the EU. The mass is very smooth; we tested Orange ONE and you can faintly taste coconut and mango in it as well. When the pack is turned upside down it also spills out and is a little runnier than the purées of other brands.
Rating 3+
Kubik, Fruit pouch
Price : €0.51 for 1 piece 100g
The product is intended for older children, from 2 years. This fruit purée with no added sugar and with vitamin C content is also a source of fibre and is suitable, for example, as a sweet treat for a snack. We must mention, however, that it is partly made from concentrate (specifically 5% of the content, which in this case is apple juice). This means that sugar may also be present in the concentrate. It is made by our neighbours, in the Czech Republic. Its consistency is very thin, so we don't recommend turning it upside down, and it is also a little coarser compared with the others tested.
Rating 2
Nestlé, 6+ Yoghurt mango and banana
Price : €6.98 for 6 pieces of 90g
In this case it is a combination of fruit and yoghurt. It contains 63% fruit and 27% yoghurt. On the packaging you will find that it contains calcium, zinc and magnesium, but you won't find any information about the content of gluten, sugar, or about artificial colourings. For some mums that will probably be confusing. The taste is quite distinctly yoghurty, the consistency thicker, and the product is made in Spain.
Rating 1
Heavenly Organic superfoods, 6+ Coconut Sqishies
Price : €1.49
Once again one of the ORGANIC purées. Made only from organic fruit, and as added value it contains coconut milk. It contains no added sugar or salt, and is also free of gluten, colourings, lactose and nuts. Suitable for coeliacs, vegans, vegetarians and even children with lactose intolerance. Very delicate taste, a little sweetish but fresh, and a very good consistency. The product is made in the EU.
Rating 5
Hipp Fruit Funn, 6+ Strawberry, banana, apple
Price : €1.14 for 1 piece 90g
A popular German quality brand offers a purée in which all the fruit used is of ORGANIC quality. This product contains no added sugar, no wheat flour, no colourings and no gluten. The consistency is very smooth and the taste more than pleasant, fruity with an undertone of strawberries. The fruit content in the pack is 100%. Our favourite!
Rating 5
Novofruct, from 3 years Fruit Pure
Price : €0.69 for 1 piece 120g
The pouch is intended for children from 3 years, so it is suitable as a sweet treat for a snack. Although it contains no preservatives, you will find gluten, sugar, water and rice flour in it. The taste is slightly sour and refreshing, and the pouch is made in Slovakia.
Rating 1
Sunárek, Hand-held 7+ apple, pear
Price : €0.86 for 1 piece 90g
This fruit complementary food has a very pleasant taste of fruit, which is slightly sour. It contains only 100% fruit with no added sugar, no colourings and no preservatives. The thickness is rather on the runny side, so again you need to be careful when handling the product. Otherwise a good choice.
Rating 4
Hamánek, 4+ Snack pear, banana
Price : €0.88 for 1 piece 120g
The complementary food has the classic, sweetish taste of pear with an undertone of banana. It contains no added sugar, only 100% fruit. It also contains no artificial colourings and is gluten-free, so it is suitable for coeliacs too. The consistency is thicker and it doesn't leak even when the pouch is turned upside down or laid down. The manufacturer is Hamé, a Czech company.
Rating 3+
source of prices: www.heureka.sk
