Pastes

In a Turkish kitchen, paste is not a garnish, it is the backbone of the sauce. Long before ready-made stock cubes and jarred sauces existed, cooks in Anatolia sun-dried tomatoes and peppers down into a thick, concentrated salca that carried the whole flavour of a dish in one spoonful. That tradition is exactly what this range brings to households across the UK who want their pilav, stews and kebabs to taste the way they remember, without needing fresh tomatoes to reduce for hours on the hob.

What is in the range

The selection runs from pure tomato paste to pure pepper paste and blended mixes of the two, mostly from Oncu with Burcu also represented. Sizes stretch from a modest 370g jar right up to a 1650g tin and a 4300g catering-size tub for anyone cooking in bulk or running a household that gets through a lot of sauce. Look for the Oncu 830gr Tomato Paste and Oncu 700gr Pepper Paste as everyday staples, the Oncu 700gr Mixed Tomato and Mild and Hot Pepper blend for a more rounded flavour, and the Burcu 830gr Tomato Paste as an alternative brand at a similar size. Hot pepper paste versions are also stocked for those who like extra heat in their sauces. In total there are 38 products in this part of the range, so there is a size and heat level to suit most kitchens.

How to choose, store and use

A spoonful of tomato paste fried briefly in oil before other ingredients go in is the classic way to build depth in a sauce, soup or pilav; pepper paste does the same job with a sweeter, smokier note and is essential in dishes like menemen or stuffed peppers. Mixed pastes are handy when you want both flavours without buying two jars. Once opened, keep the jar refrigerated and press a thin layer of oil over the surface to stop mould forming, and always use a clean, dry spoon. Unopened jars keep well in a cool cupboard for a long time, which is why the larger catering sizes make sense for regular cooks. Prices in this range start from under £2, making it easy to try more than one brand or heat level.

Delivery across the UK

Orders are sent out by DHL Express and typically arrive within 1-2 business days anywhere in the UK. Spend £60 or more and delivery to London and the rest of mainland UK is free; below that a flat £5.99 charge applies. Jars are packed securely to travel safely, and a DHL tracking number is emailed as soon as your order is dispatched.