Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredient Questions
Q: Do you add sugar?
A: We do add approx 1/3rd of teaspoon of coconut sugar per bag to help caramalise the onions. Because vegetables, especially carrots and tomatoes naturally have sugar we don't need to add refined sugars to make it taste great!
Q: Why do you have soy listed in the ingredients?
A: While we don't use any highly processed soy products like TVP in Vince we do use Tamari which is a gluten free Japanese style of soy sauce.
Q: Tell me about the sodium content
A: Because we use a slow drying process this does concentrate the natural sodium levels from the vegetables.
We also use Tamari which does add sodium. Italian is the lowest of our flavours and is considered all our flavours are considered medium sodium, still significantly lower than common bolognese jar sauces or tomato sauces as a reference point.
Hydration and Texture
Q: How much water should I use?
A: 100g oF Vince is one Meausered Cup of Boiling water which is 250mls. Some customers grab the nearest coffee mug which can be up to two cups or more.
Q: Adding to Beef Mince?
A: If you are adding Vince to beef mince you will need to use more water, keep adding water (I use up to two cups of water per 100g of Vince) until you get the texture you prefer with your nachoes or bolognese .
Q: Stovetop / Microwave for best results?
While less convenient, for the most consistent hydration prepare Vince with cold water and heat in a pan, pot or microwave, simply combine water and Vince together and heat over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes, as this method will hydrate Vince a little better use extra water to get the texture you desire depending on dish.
Q: Can I eat Vince dry?
A: Yes! many of customers use it as a snack in lunchboxes or as a trail mix. Because Vince is a dried product you will need to drink some extra water and beware if you eat a whole bag that is over 500g worth of Veggies which will hydrate inside you, making you very full! Start with smaller amounts if eating dry.
Q: Cold Water Hydration?
A: You can hydrate Vince with cold water if you get caught in a pinch, you will need to let it set for several hours or overnight.
Nutrition
Q: Does drying damage the nutrition of the veggies?
A: We were concerned about this as well, we spent clost to $20,000 with Massey University testing various drying techniques on our product, the outcome was that we retained almost all the nutrients. As we cook our product prior to drying Vitamin C was not retained, however this is normal in any process that cooks vegetables as Vitamin C is heat senstive (eat your fresh fruit and raw veggies!).
A: When tested by Massey University (and other general studies) results showed that compared to frozen veggies and freeze drying the nutrient retention is almost identical. What is most important is the nutrient density of the veggies when they come out of the ground, which is why we use New Zealand grown veggies!
Q: I have heard it is bad to each too much dried fruit what about Vince?
A: The way fruit is dried is often using a drying method (osmotic dehydration) that replaces moisture with SUGAR syrup (yes I know I could not believe this either) the other issue with dried fruit is they usually use sulphite preservative to keep those apricots looking nice and orange.
It is very easy to overeat these sugar dense dried fruits, if you over eat Vince, you just just get really full.
A: With Vince we want our product to be a nice deep brown colour, so no preservatives, YAY! and we use a slow air drying process in a humidity controlled environment. No sugar to be seen here!
A: If you are trying to increase your fibre intake take it slow to start with and drink some water with your meal, we remove about 80% of the water from the veggies but only rehydrate them to around 50% this means that once you eat Vince it will continue to rehydrate it as you break it down for all that fibre and those nutrients.
Q: Can I feed Vince to my children?
A: Yes definitely, in fact that is why we created Vince, for our two children. Because Vince is very nutrient dense product a little goes a long way each pack has the equivalent of 500g of fresh veggies fribre and nutrients.
Because Vince is so high in Fibre start slow and increase the amounts each week to avoid uncomfortable tummies.
A: Nutritionists recommend that due to the medium sodium levels found in Vince that you should not feed Vince to children UNDER 1 year old.
Let customers speak for us
Vince is a great versatile product and I always have some stock of it in my pantry.
I always have a pack of Vince on hand for those fuss-free last-minute meals, so quick, so tasty and so easy to add to, to make a nourishing meal.
Works a treat grandsons dont notice at all, so their is going to purchase and showed my son who is a regular tramper hes going to try as well.
I love this product so much. It's better than any other meat substitute I've tried. So simple to use, and absolutely delicious.
Good flavours.
Used as a recipe filler for nacho mince- worked well
Fantastic product. Great value. Vince makes meal time quick, delicious and nutritious.
I was slightly hesitant buying Vince, because I have fussy kids who can spot a speck of veggies in a mound of mince. Both kids love Vince and love the taste. I even get asked if there is Vince in it (and much disappointment if there isn't) We add the Vince to mince to make it go further, and while it probably costs similar, the added veggies definitely make it healthier.
Vince is great to cook with, healthy and tasty.
Gifted some to my daughter who us vegan and she says it will be good to take camping.
Quick delivery and thank you for delivering to Australia.
Easy to cook and super tasty! Makes amazing vege spag bol
We used the cottage pie pack yesterday for our very fussy 3 yr old grandson. Well he absolutely loved it. Our 14yr old granddaughter cooked the meal and made the mash with potato and cauliflower so he got even more veges in him. Brillant idea - will be passing the rest of the sachets to mum and dad to use as well
Vince is wonderful, so tasty while being wholesome and super quick and easy. If you have Vince in your pantry you have the basis of many meals that tick all the taste, health and good fast food at home boxes. Inside wraps, with tacos/nachos, over baked potatoes, with roast veges, truly delicious.
I add it to my bulk mince, flavor is fantastic and an easy way to get more goodness in.
Great addition to our pantry and versatile to use in a range of meals.
