Tomato Paste Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Product for Your Business

Tomato paste is a key ingredient across food service and manufacturing, valued for its consistent quality, rich concentration, and long shelf life. It is widely used in sauces, soups, marinades, and large-scale food processing.

This guide covers the main types of tomato paste, key specifications like Brix levels, important quality checks, and practical sourcing tips, which will make your tomato paste buying process easier.

What Is Tomato Paste?

1. Definition of Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is a concentrated tomato product produced by cooking down fresh tomatoes until most of the moisture is removed. This process results in a thick and dense substance commonly used as a base in commercial and food service recipes.

2. Difference between Tomato Paste, Tomato Puree, Tomato Sauce, and Ketchup

Summary:

• Tomato paste is the most concentrated and is used to boost flavor in recipes.

• Tomato puree is less concentrated, used as a base ingredient.

• Tomato sauce is seasoned and ready to use as a finished sauce.

• Ketchup is a sweet, tangy condiment with added sugar and vinegar, typically not a cooking base.

3. Common Brix Levels of Tomato Paste

One important spec about tomato paste is the Brix level, which measures the percentage of soluble solids (mainly sugars, acids, vitamins, and minerals) in the paste, reflecting its concentration and sweetness.

Some common Brix ranges for tomato paste are 28 to 30 percent and 36 to 38 percent, depending on the required concentration for a specific application. Higher Brix values indicate thicker consistency, richer flavor, and longer shelf life due to lower water content.

4. Common Packaging Forms of Tomato Paste

• Metal Cans: Most common, good sealing, long shelf life, suitable for retail and industrial use.

• Glass Jars/Bottles: Suitable for small packaging, hygienic, contents visible, but fragile.

• Plastic Bottles/Containers: Lightweight, less fragile, suitable for household and medium-large packaging, relatively shorter shelf life.

• Plastic Sachets/Spout Pouches: Convenient for carrying and squeezing, commonly used for single servings or in the food service industry.

• Large Metal Drums: Industrial or bulk food service usage, large capacity, easy for transportation and storage.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying Tomato Paste

When you are in the tomato paste buying process, here are the things to consider:

1. Concentration and Brix Level

As mentioned above, the Brix level refers to the percentage of soluble solids in the tomato paste and directly affects product strength, yield, and suitability for specific applications. A Brix of 28 to 30 percent is typically used in food service, while 36 to 38 percent is preferred in industrial food processing, where a higher concentration is typically ideal.

2. Color, Consistency, and Flavor Profile

The color of the tomato paste should be deep red without signs of browning. The texture should be thick, smooth, and evenly blended throughout, without any signs of water separating from the paste. The flavor should be well-balanced and free from bitterness, unpleasant odors, or metallic notes, as these issues can affect the overall taste, quality, and consistency of the final product.

3. Packaging Type and Shelf Life

During the tomato paste buying process, do not forget to consider the type and quality of its packaging. Cans are commonly used in food service operations, while drums are suited for high-volume industrial supply. Pouches and sachets support flexible handling and portion control. Additionally, shelf life depends on the type of packaging and storage conditions and should be confirmed based on your distribution process and expected usage time frame.

4. Certifications and Food Safety Standards

Your chosen tomato paste supplier must provide valid certification documents, such as HACCP, ISO, Halal, Kosher, Organic, or Non-GMO, based on regulatory and market requirements. All certifications must be valid, easy to verify, and consistent with food safety and traceability standards required in commercial supply chains.

Where to Buy Tomato Paste: Sourcing Tips

Another important step in the tomato paste buying process is to know where to buy it. Here is how you can do it:

1. Local vs. International Suppliers

Local tomato paste suppliers typically provide faster delivery, easier communication, and simplified logistics. International suppliers may offer competitive pricing, wider product selection, and higher production volumes. The decision should be based on production scale, budget limits, shipping timelines, and import regulations.

2. Supplier Vetting Checklist

Evaluate suppliers by requesting product specifications, Brix analysis reports, valid food safety certifications, manufacturing capacity details, and current customer references. Review their quality control systems, delivery reliability, documentation transparency, and ability to meet regulatory requirements. Always test product samples before final agreements.

3. Common Buying Channels

Tomato paste can be sourced directly from manufacturers, through authorized distributors, or via sourcing platforms. Direct purchases offer better control over specifications and pricing. Distributors provide easier access and inventory flexibility. Online platforms may assist with initial discovery but require detailed verification before transactions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing only by price without checking Brix.

• Ignoring packaging usability (e.g., hard-to-open cans in commercial kitchens)

• Not verifying supplier stability—the risk of late delivery or inconsistent quality

• Over-ordering without checking shelf life or storage capacity

JOLION Foods Recommendation

JOLION Foods is a seasoned tomato paste manufacturer with over two decades of experience in producing high-quality Asian condiments and food products for global markets. We are widely recognized for our diverse range of sauces, seasonings, and noodles.

For businesses looking to develop their own branded product lines, we offer both OEM and ODM services backed by a well-established supply chain and large-scale production capacity.

Clients can expect customized solutions, including packaging options and product formulation, tailored to specific market requirements. With a focus on health-conscious formulations, we also provide products that are gluten-free, low-sodium, or reduced-salt.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right tomato paste requires careful attention to concentration, flavor, packaging, and supplier capability. A reliable food product manufacturer can meet your tomato paste buying demand with rich experience and professional expertise.

JOLION Foods brings over 20 years of manufacturing experience and offers a complete range of sauces, seasonings, and noodles, along with tailored OEM and ODM services. If you are interested, click here to contact us!