Mishry Rating
Summary
Keya’s Pasta Kits are easy to prepare but taste extremely average. The texture of the pasta is acceptable, but there's a clear need for significant improvement in the flavor department.
Pasta has made its way from the homes of Italy to India, uniting cultures and palates. While most Italians would frown upon sighting a pack of instant pasta, we do enjoy eating them occasionally.
Keya Foods has introduced a delightful range of instant pasta, featuring five distinct flavors from across the globe. In our evaluation of the latest Pasta Kit range, we reviewed two variants – Piri Piri and Arrabiata.
Our Keya Pasta Kit review offers insights into the freshness of flavors, the texture of the pasta, and other details.
Our Review Factors
What review factors did we set for Keya Pasta Kits review?
When conducting our review of Keya Pasta Kits, we established specific criteria to assess the quality and overall experience of these products. The following key factors were considered:
1. Taste
We checked the products for the following under the taste parameter:
- The flavor of the complete dish
- Seasoning authenticity (is it true to the label?)
- Flavor of the sauce maker
- Artificial flavor (if any)
2. Texture
We were looking for a pasta that maintains its shape while offering a soft yet firm bite. These should not be mushy and sticky.
3. Ease of Preparation (Convenience)
Do these pasta kits encompass all the essential elements such as sauce, pasta, and seasonings? Is the preparation process simple? Are there any extra ingredients needed?
4. Other Factors of Consideration
Here the pricing, main ingredients, packaging, contents and shelf life were checked.
We tried this handcrafted artisanal pasta by Donna Pastaia. Here’s a detailed review on the same.
Our Review Process
We prepared these pasta kits as per stated instructions. Here is a detailed explanation of the review process:
- Take 420 ml (2 cups of water) in an open pan and bring it to boil
- Add Keya Pasta & Saucemaker to boiling water and stir well.
- Cook for 5 minutes on medium flame and stir occasionally.
- The dish is ready to serve after cooking for 5 minutes.
- For an extra kick of flavor, add the sprinkler and enjoy!
Keya Pasta Kit – Detailed Review
Our comprehensive exploration of both variations is outlined in this segment:
1. Arrabiata
Our Experience
During the cooking process, we encountered no difficulties. We cooked the pasta according to the package instructions. The end result was a perfect semi-saucy pasta that wasn’t too dry.
The pasta was well-cooked and had a pleasing texture. We appreciated how it maintained its shape without any breakage.
This pasta is high on the aroma of tomato and garlic, which is not very fresh and inviting. As for the flavors, the fresh tomato tang we expected here is nowhere to be seen. There is a mild herbiness present though, but that is not something that will drive us back to this pasta dish.
In summary, the saucemaker requires substantial improvement and falls short of delivering the freshness and intensity we are looking for.
Product Highlights
The Arrabiata Pasta kit by Keya comes in a white and red pouch packaging. The 96.5-gram (70 g + 25.5 g + 1 g) pack, available for Rs. 79, has a shelf life of 9 months.
Inside the kit, you’ll find a pack of fusilli pasta, a saucemaker, and two packs of herb masala (Italian seasoning).
Main Ingredients
The Ingredients are divided as follows:
Fusilli (Pasta) : Soft wheat semolina
Saucemaker : Milk solids, Sugar, iodized salt, tomato, mixed spices & herbs (garlic, onion, chilli, pepper, turmeric, chives, basil), Asafoetida, Sunflower oil, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soya), Red beet juice powder, Flavor enhancer (INS 631, INS 627), Thickening agent (INS 415), Anticaking agent (INS 551), Contains added flavors – Natural & Nature Identical Flavoring Substances (Tomato).
Sprinkler : Iodized salt, Dehydrated garlic, Mixed spices and herbs (black pepper, chilli, oregano (9%), basil).
Allergen Information: Contains Milk Solids, Soy, Maida, Asafoetida & Wheat Gluten.
Related Read: NutraHi Spinach Spaghetti Review.
2. Piri Piri
Our Experience
Our experience with the cooking process was similar to the above variant. The pasta was cooked well and had a soft yet firm bite. Moreover, the proportion of the sauce to the pasta was perfect.
First things first, this pasta is dominant on the aroma of garlic and mixed herbs. Taste-wise, the salt level was apt and required no adjustments. It is low on chilli but the intensity can be increased by sprinkling some extra piri piri masala.
However, the flavors of the pasta were slightly disappointing. The taste lacks freshness, and there is room for improvement in the sauce’s flavor.
Product Highlights
This pasta kit bags a light orangish-yellow color pouch pack. It has a shelf life of 9 months. A 96.5 gm (70 g + 25.5 g + 1 g) pack costs Rs. 79 and is enough to serve one person.
The kit contains: the penne pasta, a saucemaker, and two sachets of piri piri masala.
Main Ingredients
The key ingredients include:
Penne (Pasta) : Soft wheat semolina
Saucemaker : Iodized salt, Sugar, Milk solids, Mixed spices & herbs (garlic, chilli, onion, chives, oregano, basil, pepper), Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soya), Starch, Lime powder, Flavor enhancer (INS 631, INS 627), Thickening agent (INS 415), and Anticaking agent (INS 551).
Sprinkler: Mixed spices & herbs (chilli, black pepper, oregano, parsley), Iodized salt, Sugar, Dehydrated vegetables (garlic, onion), Sugar, Tamarind powder, Acidity regulator (INS 330), Contains added flavors – Natural & Nature Identical Flavoring Substances (Lime).
Allergen Information: Contains Milk Solids, Soy, and Wheat Gluten.
Also Read: We Reviewed The Tomato & Basil Pasta Kit by Bun Maska. More details captured here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some interesting FAQs on Keya Pasta Kit Review
1. Why is bread served with pasta?
Bread is served alongside pasta for several reasons:
- Firstly, it provides a contrast of texture to the softness of the pasta. It adds a crunch to the overall experience.
- Secondly, the piece of bread is also used to soak the remaining pasta sauce, mainly in dishes where a significant amount of sauce is left behind.
2. Is pasta made of maida?
Pasta is typically made using durum wheat semolina and not maida (all-purpose flour). Durum wheat semolina is a coarser variety of wheat and has a protein content and gluten strength.
3. Which cheese is best for pasta?
Some popular cheese options that would well with a bowl of pasta includes:
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
- Ricotta
- Pecorino Romano
4. Can you fry pasta?
Ideally, pasta is either boiled or cooked in a sauce.
5. Are macaroni and pasta the same?
Pasta and macaroni are not the same. Macaroni is a kind of pasta while pasta is not just limited to macaroni.
Final Summary
In summary, the pasta’s texture is decent and offers a satisfying bite. However, the freshness, intensity, and depth of flavors fall short of making a favorable impression.
The sauces come across as too artificial and definitely need to be worked on. In the same price range, it’s safe to say that there are more delicious and superior instant pasta options available.
These alternatives have improved ingredient lists and a significantly superior flavor profile.
Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.