Choosing the Best at BILLA Supermarkets: The Art of Tasting
Have you ever wondered how many different tastes we can detect when we eat? Typically, we talk about four primary tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, and sour. However, an elusive fifth taste holds the power to transform how we experience food.
In the early 20th century, Professor Kikunae Ikeda made an intriguing discovery in Japan: umami. This unique taste has the remarkable ability to excite our taste buds, intensify our sensory experiences, and elevate food’s overall deliciousness and desirability. While its name originates from Japan, the essence of umami is present in culinary delights from around the globe. Essentially, umami is that secret flavour that evokes a resounding “Wow!” with every mouthful.
At BILLA, we firmly believe that exceptional food is, above all, about being irresistibly delicious. Hence, we meticulously handpick the products we offer to our valued customers.
We are committed to ensuring superior quality throughout their journey, from origin to arrival at your table. Our team rigorously tests products when selecting suppliers for our exclusive brands.
Step into the world of the BILLA Test Center!
Diverse individuals from various departments within our company, each with unique tastes and preferences, are allowed to participate in “blind” tastings.
Our purpose-built BILLA Test Center serves as the arena where, weekly, we sample products from different suppliers, anonymously evaluating their taste profiles, aromas, and overall qualities.
This meticulous process aids us in making informed decisions when it comes to choosing the manufacturers for our exclusive brands, BILLA and Clever. Our ultimate objective is to ensure the highest calibre of products across our store network.
These ‘blind’ tasting sessions commenced in 2021 and have since witnessed the organization of numerous evaluations for products bearing the BILLA and Clever insignia. Everything from meat, fish, and dairy products to fruits, vegetables, pastries, and more undergoes rigorous assessment by a discerning tasting panel at the BILLA Test Center.