What they say:
“Ella's Kitchen's 'First Tastes Veg' range of four 100% organic, scrummy pouches for babies from 4 months. The deeelicious range includes sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes; carrots, carrots, carrots; parsnips, parsnips, parsnips and peas, peas, peas.
“Each pouch contains one yummy veggie making them perfect for baby's first steps on the weaning journey. Research shows that offering only veggies for the first two weeks of weaning is the best way to help tiny taste buds learn to love a whole range of tastes and that veggies can be reeeally delicious and the perfect starting point to a healthy relationship with food!”
Related: Best weaning product
Tested by mum Jennifer Todd for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend Ella's Kitchen 'First Tastes Veg' range to my friends as it's very handy for busy mums on the go, with the simple screw top to feed the baby by simply squeezing the food on to a clean spoon instead of having to put food into a bowl when out and about. I also love the fact the food is organic so I know exactly what by baby is eating. The portion size is ideal for first time weaning or it can be added to something else to make a larger meal.
How did this product make your life easier?
Ella's Kitchen 'First Tastes Veg' range makes life a lot easier with the simple to use screw top. Instead of having to carry a bowl around to mix my baby’s food in, this product allows me to just simple squeeze on to a spoon and feed to my baby for when we are on the go.
Would you choose this product?
The one thing that really stands out for me with Ella's Kitchen 'First Tastes Veg' range is the fact it's organic with no added salts, sugars or artificial colouring. To me this is very important that my baby is getting healthy food that is also convenient while on the go with the handy screw top. I definitely think this product is a deserved winner of this category.
What changes would you make to this product?
One thing I would change would be the price. While I understand it is more expensive for organic foods, I would like Ella's Kitchen to appreciate that a lot of mums using these foods are still on maternity leave from work and therefore money is quite tight. Maybe dropping the price would also increase your sales as the product is very good.
Tested by mum Laura Gates for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Ella's Kitchen first tastes are great for starting on the weaning adventure. We loved how the portion size was the right amount for initially starting off. You don't have to use the full packet and can leave some in the fridge for the next day. The first taste range is really good to get babies acquired to the tastes of vegetables, as they is one vegetable only in the packet. We followed the Ella's Kitchen plan of giving vegetables only in the first few weeks with the hope that our little man loves vegetables.
How did this product make your life easier?
The pouches are nice and light to add to the bag for trips out. Makes feeding easier when out for activities. Its great that you can now get spoons to attached to the packet meaning you can feed directly out of the pouch.
Would you choose this product?
This product should win as it is perfect to help with initial stages of weaning. Love how uses one type of food. Other brands seem to mix loads of different flavours.
What changes would you make to this product?
At times the caps can be difficult to twist to get into the pouch.
Tested by mum Megan Tagg for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
They are the perfect size and extremely convenient. All you need is a spoon and you don't even need to warm the puree. These are fantastic to use when you are also out. Lately I have also found them useful as a back up when other food doesn't seem to go down well with my daughter. Like the flexibility that you can warm or freeze and great they last 48 hours in the fridge once opened. My daughter has loved them all since the weaning process started so it's a comforting start to such a complicated weaning process with babies.
How did this product make your life easier?
Great to have to hand when you're having a busy day and don't have time to make purée or defrost something made earlier. Great convenience when out and about and need to feed your baby. Also he pouches are easy to use and transport. Little mess.
Would you choose this product?
Yes, I like that's it's organic and readily available in most shops. You know exactly what's gone into the product as well so you can keep an eye on what your baby is eating. Lots of variety too. My daughter loves it so it's a winner for me.
What changes would you make to this product?
My one concern is that the pouches that have mixed ingredients do seem to have a lot of fruit in them. However that's why the weaning pouches are great as they are 100% one vegetable. One thing I have found difficult is to know how much to give my daughter so simple guidelines on the packaging would really help new mums starting the weaning process.
Tested by mum Emma Hudson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would and have happily recommended Ella's Kitchen pouches to other mums and dads. I find that the pouches are very clear as to what each pouch contains. I find using a pouch very easy and convient and means there is also little waste as you can simply squeeze the contents of the pouch directly on the spoon rather than trying to scrap it out of a container.
How did this product make your life easier?
The Ella's Kitchen pouches have made my life easier as an on the go mum because they are very handy. I find trying to find space for jars or tupperware in my already bulging changing bag impossible, so the fact that the pouches are slimline fab as they just slide into my bag. I also love the screw on cap. As we have only just started our weaning journey my son is not eating a full pouch at a time so the fact I can pop the lid on and pop it in the fridge for another day great.
Would you choose this product?
I would happily choose the Ella's Kitchen pouches as the packaging is bright and bold and is clearly labelled to show exactly what is in each pouch. I like the fact that the ingredients are all organic. I also like the fact that the food coming out of the packet looks like the food that I make at home rather than being the same brown sludge regardless of the flavours that I have seen from other products.
What changes would you make to this product?
The only thing that would improve this product would be the price. I can only justify the cost to use the product when out and about. If it was a little cheaper I would consider using the products on a daily basis as it would save a little time. I do understand that you pay for quality so I am happy with the value for money aspect of the product.
Tested by mum Felicity Deuchars for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend them for the variety of flavours which don't taste like typical baby food, they are closest to the vegetable they are promoting. They are cost effective and often in promotions in supermarkets and shops. The pouches are thin and lightweight, easy to pop in a handbag/changing to transport. You can serve them either hot or cold, but they only take 2 minutes to heat up in hot water which most places would be happy to give you a cup of for free.
How did this product make your life easier?
The pouches are so quick and convenient to prepare, perfect for when you're out and about or in a rush at home. It takes only a fraction of the time to prepare, compared to cooking things from scratch and then mashing the food. The pouches are helping my baby to get used to healthy eating right from the start which will be beneficial throughout their childhood.
Would you choose this product?
I would highly recommend the Ella's Kitchen range above all other brands due to it being the most organic. The food is healthier and more nutritious than most, it tastes of the actual food it's meant to be and isn't filled with additives. The food is all natural and isn't high in salt or sugar. The pouches keep the food fresher than jars. The packaging is colourful and bright and stands out from all the other brands on the shelf.
What changes would you make to this product?
I think the wording on the packaging needs to be amended as it says it's safe from 4+ months which contradicts the world health organisation, which states babies shouldn't start solids until nearer 6 months. This could make first time parents start weaning earlier than they should due to misleading marketing.
Tested by mum Rebecca Draper for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend the Ella's Kitchen first taste range to other mums, it is the perfect size packet for weaning. Very colourful and attractive packaging which has really helped to attract my little one, she loves squeezing the packets and placing it in her mouth which has been great for baby led weaning and her hand/eye/mouth coordination. I also love the fact that its resealable so any leftovers last in the fridge for 48 hours and another big plus is that it can be frozen so it reduces wastage.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product has made my life so much easier, we now spend more time together on our precious weekends instead of being in the kitchen steaming, pureeing and mashing individual veg for the week (and then the clean up after it). Which is brilliant as I can also use the extra time to catch up on sleep/housework and washing. Overall using Ella's Kitchen gives us more time to spend together and also it's so much easier leaving the house, I just grab a couple of pouches and I'm out the door.
Would you choose this product?
I think this product should win as it's tasty and organic, my daughter loves Ella's Kitchen above anything including my own cooking! It's easy for her to get hold of the packet and squeeze it into her mouth and because the corners are rounded she is less likely to be cut on it. It also is very clear about what is in it, you don't have to hunt the label for ingredients and nutritional content.
What changes would you make to this product?
It would be great if it came in more flavours, at the moment it comes in four: peas, parsnip, sweet potato and carrots. That's not really enough flavours for the initial weening stage which these are designed for, it would be great if they did other veg like broccoli and cauliflower in this range.
Tested by mum Sara Cauvain for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend these to other mums. I love Ella's Kitchen products and used them on my first child. I know that there is only natural ingredients and no rubbish which is what you want when your baby is starting to try foods! They are easy to transport in the little pouches and you can use a little at a time.
How did this product make your life easier?
Makes my life easier as I don't need to waste the whole pouch. I can just put a small amount into a bowl. They store well in the fridge and are easy to carry around if you are out and about. My daughter loved tasting these first tastes and Im sure it got her tastbuds going! She loved the sweet potato and parsnip flavours.
Would you choose this product?
I would choose this product as Ella's Kitchen is a well known brand that I know doesn't have any rubbish in them! With working full time its hard to make your own purees but I know with Ella's they are good for my baby and I can just grab one if I'm in a rush! I will be trying the other pouches as she gets older.
What changes would you make to this product?
I wouldn't change anything about these products. They are fantastic and I love the variety of flavours that are available. My daughter seems to love them so that is good enough for me. These are good start to any baby who is ready for weaning and you want to gently introduce them to foods. Highly recommended.
Tested by mum Gemma Soden for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I absolutely love the design of the Ella's Kitchen First Tastes range. The packaging is colourful, the fonts playful and they are certainly eye catching in comparison to some of the other baby food products in the supermarket. As they are a pouch instead of a jar they are light and don't add unnecessary weight to your baby bag! I do find the screw top quite difficult to open, however.
How did this product make your life easier?
The fact you can squeeze the product straight onto a spoon makes life so much easier when out and about as you don't have to take a bowl with you and you can keep any excess food leftover. The pouches are the perfect weight for first tastes, meaning you are left with little or no wastage. The product information is written and displayed in a way that is easy to access and you can clearly see what is in the product.
Would you choose this product?
I just feel the whole product range has been really well thought out. In comparison to other baby foods, the texture resembles 'real' food and you certainly feel that you are getting quality and value for money. The packaging design is unique and fun, which immediately draws my attention to it in comparison to other similar products.
What changes would you make to this product?
I really struggled at times in unscrewing the lid, which is not always great when you have a hungry baby! If there was a way this could be any easier to manoeuvre, that would be great. Aside from that, I wouldn't change anything as I was really happy with it. Keep up the great work all the team at Ella's Kitchen!
Tested by mum Ellie Bishop for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Ella's Kitchen pouches offer a way to ensure that your baby has the best ingredients and access to healthy foods, even when you yourself don't have the time to prepare them. What you lose in the slightly expensive nature of these pouches you gain in time saving, easy to use, handy on the go, no need for cooking. And they are all very tasty!
How did this product make your life easier?
They are so handy when giving baby lunch on the go. They don't need cooking and the pouch design means you don't need any crockery or cutlery. It also means I don't need to worry if I'm back late home I know that the pouches offer organic healthy foods that my baby enjoys that can be served quickly. The individual veg pouches don't stop being handy after baby progresses through weaning. They are a great accompaniment to a main meal and I use them to soften thicker mashed meals instead of water.
Would you choose this product?
As well as all the reasons I have already said, Ella's pouches are also attractively designed, filled with goodness and appealing to all taste buds. I have yet to try a product that rivals the ease of use, quality ingredients, taste and variety. By far Ella's Kitchen pouch meals are my one must buy, must have in the cupboard.
What changes would you make to this product?
They could offer more pudding pouches, not enough variety of desserts that I have been able to buy.
Tested by mum Sophia Procter for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
The Ella's Kitchen range is an all-round winner in our house. In terms of 'starter foods' their products are deliciously but naturally sweet (yes, I tried them!), making them very appealing to babies. However, they are full of goodness with simply natural fruit and veg and sometimes water - that's it. While there is no substitute for making your own baby food, this would be my immediate next choice. The pouches are the perfect size, and most important of all - my baby loved them, especially the 'parsnips, parsnips, parsnips'.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
This is one product that really helps me out. Sometimes we are rushing around, or the shops don't have anything nice in stock, or we might be out and about visiting friends, and all I have to do is reach for a pouch and lunch is sorted! I don't have to worry about cooking and more importantly, I know this is as good as pre-made baby food gets. I even found myself feeding my baby the 'carrots, carrots, carrots' pouch on the train last week - that's how convenient they are! Plus they are stocked everywhere.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The First Food range is for pre-six months, and I found that my baby didn't always eat the whole amount. I suppose it's better to have too much than too little, but perhaps packets could be smaller and therefore cheaper? Also, a lot of the foods in this range are lovely and stuff I would make at home. Maybe they could introduce some of the ranges mums don’t want to cook - smelly broccoli, cauliflower and aubergine?
Tested by mum Millie Thompson for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
I would recommend Ella's Kitchen first tastes veg range to a friend/mum. The pouches are so easy to carry around and convenient to use. They create no mess and are recyclable where I live. I also love that they are 100% organic.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
The pouches are great when you are on the go or away from home for any period of time, easy to pack, don't take up much space, hygienic and easy to use. It makes life so much easier having the pouches as a back up to home cooked food.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I don't think there is anything I would change about this product, but I would be less likely to buy just a single vegetable flavour unless I was just starting weaning whilst on holiday, but then I may as well wait till I got home.
Tested by mum Melissa Newton for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
We really enjoyed these first tastes. It was good that the product came in small pouches. Great for starting off with my little one’s first tastes. The pouches came nice and colourful. I liked that the pouches were just one vegetable in each pouch. This meant I could understand what my little one liked and disliked. I thought that perhaps if I carried on with this product as my little one got used to the tastes I could then mix vegetables together to make a bigger meal for him.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
This made my life easier as I could understand which vegetables he likes and which ones we needed to work more on. I liked that I didn't have to prepare his puree which made it easier and made lunch and dinner time quicker.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
If I could change anything about the product it would be for it to be a little cheaper as there are other brands on the market which are cheaper and come in bigger pouch sizes.
Tested by mum Cheyenne Devine for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
There is a nice variety of flavours in a very smooth puree ideal for a weaning baby. The pouches are easy to open and squeeze onto a spoon without making a mess. The products are 100% organic so you know baby is getting the purest ingredients. The pouches are a good size with inviting packaging and my baby loved every spoonful. I would definitely recommend this product to other mums but I would like to see a wider variety in the range.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
This product can be fed to baby straight from the pouch onto a spoon which saves time and importantly washing up! And that is very handy if you are out of the house. The pouches are compact and so are easy to fit inside a bag and save space for other essential baby items.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I think this product could be improved if the company made a reusable spoon that could attach to the end of the pouch so baby really can be fed straight from the pouch. This would make life much easier as these would then fill a gap in the market for using on trips outside of the house.
Tested by mum Verity Thornhill for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
Loved the single flavours for the first tastes - went down really well with my son.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
Incredibly easy to use and keep for the next day too!
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
Nothing.
Tested by Jo Simpson for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow parent?
These first tastes veg range pouches are ideal for initial weaning. They are super smooth and I like the fact that they are organic. The main thing that I like about these pouches is that they are just the right size as they can be kept for 48 hours after opening so a couple of feeds for the little one. They are in a bright colourful packaging. Each pouch is one vegetable flavour which I feel is good for initial weaning instead of over loading little one’s taste buds. The price is reasonable as there is not much variation in price across brands. I also am happy that they have a recycling programme that is highlighted on the packaging.
How does this product make your life easier as a parent?
They are quick and easy for feeding on the go.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing about these pouches.
Tested by Rebecca Biggins for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow parent?
The Ella's Kitchen First Tastes pouches are terrific as an introduction to solid food - they're healthy, organic as you'd expect from Ella, and very convenient. Also, they're not utterly bizarre flavours - sweet potato, pea, carrot and parsnip don't sound too bad to me. Having a pouch of one single vegetable is not only great for introducing vegetables, but is also handy when testing for food allergies. The pouches are small, but there's only so much mushed carrot that one baby can eat.
How does this product make your life easier as a parent?
Although I'm an advocate of making as much food as possible from scratch, some days things go wrong and you need a backup. Bring on the pouches, and if they're organic (and made by Ella's kitchen, a trusted brand) that alleviates some of the Mum-Guilt caused by feeding your baby pre-prepared food. The vegetables taste like they're supposed to, and it's a great option for those who are unsure about cooking, or who don't have time to make food every day.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I don't think I'd change anything about these products although, to be honest, pureed parsnips don't exactly float my boat. My son liked them, however, so I can't complain!
Tested by mum Lisa Leyland for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow parent?
The packaging is fun, simple & effective. They are 100% organic with no additives. With supermarkets having brand promotions most weeks, they are all similarly priced. Being pouches, they don’t leak or spill, they are easy to feed baby with, limit wastage, plus they can easily fit into any change bag, so good for on the go. They come in 70g-100g pouches, with a range of different flavours, once opened pouches last 48 hours refrigerated which is good for when we started weaning initially, we could try a range of flavours over the 48 hours period. The Veg ones to me they tasted chalky, bland & tasteless, made my baby gag and sick. For me there are more brands on the market that are more tasty that still claim to be 100% organic.
How does this product make your life easier as a parent?
When starting to wean, baby takes only small amounts to get used to the difference in textures and flavours, so with this product lasting 48 hours it’s brilliant for those first few weeks, mothers will feel like there is less than normal wastage. Plus with it being 100% organic and only fruit/veg, you know what your baby is feeding, so it takes unnecessary pressure on pureeing your own to start with.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
Improve the taste, make them not so chalky.