What Does Pesto Taste Like?
There are so many kinds of pesto available to buy, and trying to describe what they taste like is a fool's errand. For the sake of this article, though, we're focusing on how pesto producers, food writers, chefs, and public members have described the taste of classic basil pesto.
Popular adjectives to describe what pesto tastes like
| Fresh | Herby |
| Garlicky | Nutty |
| Creamy | Salty |
| Tangy | Vibrant |
| Summery | Aromatic |
How producers describe the taste of their pesto
Pesto producers are keen to stress how their sauces have the perfect balance of flavours. They tend to agree that basil is the show's undisputed star, but they are also quick to tell you how the other big flavours balance out the herb.
That's quite interesting because the concept of balancing ingredients doesn't tend to be given much airtime in cookbooks and online blogs aimed at amateur cooks. Yet balance is the holy grail of expert pesto making, and the sauce's greatest creators are those who can delicately ensure that all ingredients are in perfect harmony.
"Our pesto has a delicate flavour and aroma of fresh basil, while cashew nuts provide a lush, creamy texture."
Seggiano
"Seriously satisfying, vibrant, and zesty Italian flavours."
M&S
"An unmistakable fragrance of summer."
Barila
"A savoury, umami-fresh taste with a balanced saltiness."
The Real Olive Company
"Its refreshing and zingy flavour profile adds a twist to dishes like pasta or salads."
Le Conserve
"With its refreshing and zingy flavour profile, it adds a twist to dishes like pasta or salads."
Lēaf
How chefs and food writers describe pesto's flavour
As you might expect, food writers and celebrity chefs are slightly more flamboyant than pesto producers when describing what pesto tastes like. Time and again, the overriding theme is how the best pesto should taste like summer.
That's no big surprise because although basil is available year-round, just like tomatoes, it's at its best between June and September. This is traditionally when Italian households make pesto production one of their non-negotiable summer tasks, and many people make it in bulk and freeze it so they always have it on hand in the colder months.
"A pungent and heady sauce with the summery essence of basil captured in its emerald depths."
Gennaro Contaldo
"Pesto adds such a refreshing, summery flavour to every dish."
Giada De Laurentiis
"Pesto is a mouthful of bright summer."
NYT Cooking
"Pesto tastes herby, fresh, and has noticeable garlic undertones."
Cooking Classy
"Pesto should be bursting with fresh, herby flavour."
Jamie Oliver
"A powerhouse trifecta of hearty toasted nuts, salty aged cheese, and grassy olive oil."
Bon Appétit
"Salty, zesty, flavourful."
Georgio Locatelli
"The taste of summer trapped in a jar."
Marcella Hazan
"Pesto is as comforting as it is intriguing."
Yotam Assaf Ottolenghi
"Fragrant, tasty, and very, very versatile."
River Cottage
"Peppery, tangy, creamy, and fresh-tasting; pesto has it all."
All Recipes
"An authentic Italian basil pesto should taste fresh, earthy, nutty, and a little cheesy."
Belmorso
"Pesto is known for its rich and vibrant taste that combines the freshness of herbs with the creaminess of cheese and the nuttiness of pine nuts."
Casa De Sante
"It's like a vibrant garden party in your mouth. A complex, flavourful, bold yet balanced sauce, with each ingredient complementing the other."
Real Simple
"It's like a vibrant garden party in your mouth. A complex, flavourful sauce that’s bold yet balanced, with each ingredient complementing the other."
Epic Taste Odyssey
"If the Garden of Eden had a flavour, it would be pesto: sweet, floral, salty, rich, herbaceous, with a slight tinge of bitter."
Eating Well
"Traditional pesto can be described as earthy, garlicky, rich, creamy, and slightly salty."
Good Tasting Meals
"The pine nuts bring buttery nuttiness, and the cheese adds a salty finish. Meanwhile, the fresh basil is fragrant and lightens the dish with a herby punch."
Insanely Good Recipes
"Pesto is nutty, garlicky, a bit salty, and has lots of herbal overtones from the basil. They combine to create a symphony of flavour that could never be achieved separately."
Sporked
How consumers have described pesto's taste
You can't generally rely on Joe Public to give articulate reviews, especially for something as subjective as taste. Still, some better ones agree with producers and food writers that pesto should be zingy, summery, and have a nicely rounded flavour profile.
"Great pesto tastes fresh, herbal, nutty, garlicky, and luxurious, all at once."
Anon
"Properly made pesto tastes fresh, zingy, and balanced."
Anon
"Each bite has a harmonious blend of savoury and herbaceous notes, making it a truly satisfying and memorable meal."
Anon
"A burst of fresh and aromatic flavours."
Anon
"A wonderful depth of flavour that adds much to many recipes."
Anon