Born out of a love for food and cooking, Loma Taste is an artisanal locally produced range of pastes and sauces.
Founded in 2021 by Lethabo Thibedi, Loma Taste is a one woman-owned and -operated business, paying special attention to each and every batch handcrafted with care. The curated range of sauces and pastes caters to everyone’s palate, adding flavour and bite to your favourite dishes.
We chatted to Lethabo to find out more about the Loma Taste and what led to the creation of the range.
What inspired the creation of Loma Taste?
It all started during lockdown down when we were all forced to stay home and cook for ourselves. I’ve always loved cooking, but when lockdown happened, I started experimenting with pickling jalapeños, and then moved on to making my own harissa paste. I then made pineapple-and-jalapeño sauce, which was soon followed by jalapeño pesto.
A friend of mine, who had tasted the previously mentioned three products, pointed out that if I could make one more product, I would have a whole range to sell. That’s when I came up with the recipe for the ginger-mint sauce, and Loma Taste was born.
What inspired the name of the business?
The name Loma means “bite” in Setswana. The products are made for people who, like myself, like a bit of bite in their food without the burn.
What do you aim to achieve with your range of products?
I hope to make meals easier. These products are pantry staples that can help make cooking or preparing meals easier by adding a great bite and wonderful flavour to the food, without the burn.
What is the most popular product?
The most popular product is the Spicy Harissa. It’s so versatile and delicious that you can add it to almost anything, from stews to sandwiches. You can use it as a cook-in paste or use it after cooking as a condiment.
What makes the range of sauces and pastes artisanal?
The sauces and pastes are handmade, by myself, in small batches using the freshest ingredients. I formulated each recipe to give the products just the right amount of heat, without the burn.
Where can consumers purchase the products?
The products are currently available at Gather Grocer in Rosebank Mall and at both Neighborly Grocer Stores in Moroka and Mofolo North Soweto.
What is one goal you hope to achieve with your small business?
I would love for Loma Taste to grow to a point where it can provide jobs and have a positive impact on the community we’re based in.
What are your future plans for Loma Taste?
The plan is to introduce the products to as many people as possible, through local stores, online sales and markets.
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