Vegeta is a brand of savoury condiments of dehydrated vegetables, spices, and MSG, produced by Croatian food company Podravka. It is considered a staple of Eastern European cuisine.[1][2]
The product was originally developed at Podravka's labs in Koprivnica, then part of Yugoslavia, in 1958. Zlata Bartl, a Bosnian Croat chemical technician who created a popular line of dehydrated soup packets, led the team that developed Vegeta.[3] It was first sold in 1959 under the name "Vegeta 40", and first exported in 1967 to Hungary and the Soviet Union.[4] Vegeta has been produced by Podravka in Koprivnica since its introduction, and is also manufactured in Poland, Austria, Hungary,[5] and Tanzania.[6]
Vegeta was a commercial success for Podravka and led to an economic boom in Koprivnica.[citation needed] Bartl, who became known as "Auntie Vegeta" (Croatian: Teta Vegeta),[3] was made an honorary citizen of the city before her death in 2008.[7] Nielsen named Vegeta the best-selling universal food seasoning in Europe in 2021,[8] and the products are sold in 40 countries worldwide.[4]
There is also a "no MSG added" version for those avoiding monosodium glutamate.[9]
Ingredients[edit]
The ingredients of Vegeta include (according to the 2008 product packaging):
- salt max. 56%
- dehydrated vegetables 15.5% (carrot, parsnip, onions, celery, parsley leaves)
- flavour enhancers (MSG max. 15%, disodium inosinate)
- sugar
- spices
- cornstarch
- riboflavin (for yellow coloring)
| Energetic value | 583 kJ (137 kcal) |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 24.5 g |
| Fat | 0.6 g |
| Sodium | 23 g |
References[edit]
- ^ Smart, Sam (25 August 2023). "My Family Can't Cook Without Vegeta". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Baricevic, Michelle (1 August 2021). "This Is the ONE Seasoning I Put on Everything". Food Network. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ a b Đorđević, Nikola (6 February 2021). "Zlata Bartl, the woman behind the best-loved spice in the Western Balkans". Emerging Europe. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Vegeta history". Podravka d.d. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Ephanov, Nikita (26 August 2022). "Vegeta: The Croatian Seasoning You Should Know About". Tasting Table. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Vegeta Producers Podravka Open Factory in Africa=". Croatia Week. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Teta Vegeta: Woman from Sarajevo who invented the most popular Yugoslav Spice!". Sarajevo Times. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Vegeta – the best-selling dehydrated food seasoning in Europe". Croatia Week. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Products -- Vegeta". Podravka d.d. Archived from the original on 2015-07-25. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
