Massaman is one of Australia's most-loved curries, and most of us reach for a paste rather than grinding spices from scratch. Which one ends up in your trolley usually comes down to flavour, habit and what's on the shelf.
Ayam has been a pantry staple for generations, and its Massaman Paste is one of the best-known in Australian supermarkets. So when people ask how our Massaman Curry Sachet compares, it's the natural paste to put beside it.
We have laid the two nutrition panels and ingredient lists side by side so you can choose the one that suits how you like to cook and eat. The two pastes take different approaches. Ayam's carries its spices in oil for a rich, concentrated paste, while ours is built on aeromatics and a little extra virgin olive oil for a lighter base. Per 100g, Turban Chopsticks is:
- 32.7% lower in kilojoules (calories)
- 76.2% lower in carbohydrates
- 91.1% lower in sugars
- 64.9% lower in sodium
- 72.2% higher in protein
Massaman paste nutrition compared (per 100g)
The biggest differences are in energy, carbs, sugars and sodium.
|
Per 100g |
Turban Chopsticks Massaman |
Ayam Massaman |
Difference |
|
Energy |
825kj (197 Cal) |
1226kj (293 Cal) |
32.7% less |
|
Protein |
3.1g |
1.8g |
72.2% more |
|
Fat, total |
15.1g |
13.3g |
13.5% more |
|
Saturated fat |
2.2g |
1.4g |
57.1% more |
|
Carbohydrate |
9.7g |
40.8g |
76.2% less |
|
Sugars |
3.1g |
34.7g |
91.1% less |
|
Sodium |
1310mg |
3731mg |
64.9% less |
Calories converted from kilojoules (1 Cal = 4.184kJ). Percentages are calculated as (Ayam − Turban Chopsticks) ÷ Ayam.
What it means per serve
Per serve, the difference works out to about 15 calories, 5g of sugar and 387mg of sodium, before the coconut cream or rice go in.
Ayam lists a 16g serve of paste on its label, so we've compared the same 16g of each:
|
Per 39g serve of paste |
Turban Chopsticks |
Ayam |
Difference |
|
Energy |
132kJ (31.6 Cal) |
196kJ (46.9 Cal) |
64.2kJ (15.3 Cal) |
|
Fat, total |
2.42g |
2.13g |
0.29g |
|
Sugars |
0.5g |
5.55g |
5.06g |
|
Sodium |
209.6mg |
597mg |
387.4mg |
|
Protein |
0.5g |
0.29g |
0.21g |
Sodium is worth a closer look. Australia's suggested dietary target for adults is 2000mg of sodium a day (about 5g of salt), so a 387mg difference is roughly 19% of that target in a single serve of paste.
For a family of four cooking Massaman once a week, that adds up to around 3190 fewer calories, 1052g less sugar and 80.6g less sodium over a year, from the paste alone.
What's in each paste
The nutrition differences come down to the recipes. Ayam builds its paste on soybean oil with sugar and spices, a classic approach that gives a rich, Thai paste. Ours uses extra virgin olive oil and no added sugar, with onions and aromatics doing more of the work.
|
|
Turban Chopsticks Thai Green |
Ayam Thai Green |
|
Oil |
Extra virgin olive oil |
Soybean oil |
|
Added sugar |
None |
Yes |
|
Made in |
Australia |
Thailand |
|
Gluten free and plant based |
Yes |
yes |
Full Turban Chopsticks ingredient list: Water, Australian White Vinegar, Fresh Roasted Spices, Extra virgin Olive Oil, Tamarind, Lemongrass, Garlic, Chilli, Australian Lake Salt, Onions, Ginger and Galangal.
Ten ingredients you would recognise from your own pantry, with no seed oils, no fillers and no added sugar. The 3g of sugars per 100g comes naturally from the onions and aromatics.
Why we use extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and is rich in monounsaturated fats. It also carries flavour beautifully, so the roasted spices bloom when the paste hits the pan. We use it because it tastes better and it's the oil we cook with at home.
Why lower sodium matters
Most Australians eat more salt than recommended, and much of it comes from packaged foods rather than the saltshaker. Choosing a lower-sodium paste is an easy swap that doesn't change the dish you love.
Recipe: Crispy Massaman Pie
Upgrade standard pie with this crispy massaman curry pies! Take pie night to the next level with Crispy Massaman Curry Pies! Combining classic bakery comfort with fragrant Thai curry flavour, these handheld pies make the ultimate crowd-pleasing lunch or dinner. One sachet serves 3 to 4.
Tip: Brush the pastry with plant-based milk or olive oil for a golden finish.
See the full recipe: Crispy Massaman Curry Pies – Turban Chopsticks Global.
Which Massaman paste is right for you?
Both pastes make delicious Massaman curry. If you love a rich, traditional paste and a familiar flavour, Ayam is a reliable classic. If you're watching kilojoules, sugar or sodium, or prefer a short, clean ingredient list made in Australia, Turban Chopsticks gives you a lighter starting point with the same creamy, comforting result.
Shop the Massaman Curry Sachet 2 Pack, $10 or try every flavour with the Curry Paste Sachet Collection 8 Pack.
Massaman paste FAQs
Is Massaman healthy?
It can be. Much of the kilojoule and sodium content in Massaman curry comes from the curry paste and coconut milk. Starting with a lower-calorie, lower-sodium paste like Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste can reduce calories by 32.7%, carbohydrates by 76.2%, sugar by 91.1%, and sodium by 64.9% compared with Ayam Massaman Curry Paste, before any coconut cream, protein or rice is added.
How Many Calories Are in Ayam Massaman Curry Paste?
Ayam Massaman Curry Paste contains 1226kJ (293 Cal) per 100g. In comparison, Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste contains 825kJ (197 Cal) per 100g, which is approximately 32.7% fewer calories.
Which Massaman Curry Paste Has the Least Sodium?
Of the two compared here, Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste has 1310mg sodium per 100g, compared with 3731mg per 100g in Ayam Massaman Curry Paste. That's approximately 64.9% less sodium.
Does Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste Contain Added Sugar?
No. Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste contains 3.1g sugars per 100g, which come naturally from ingredients such as garlic, shallots and other vegetables used in the recipe. It contains approximately 91.1% less sugar than Ayam Massaman Curry Paste, which contains 34.7g sugars per 100g.
What Difference Does the Choice of Curry Paste Make?
Based on a 16g serving size, Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry Paste contains approximately 15 fewer calories, 5g less sugar and 387mg less sodium per serve than Ayam Massaman Curry Paste, before coconut cream, protein or rice are added. For a family of four enjoying Massaman curry once a week, that equates to roughly 3190 fewer calories, 1052g less sugar and 80g less sodium per year.
Is Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry paste gluten free and vegan?
Yes. The paste is plant based and gluten free, so you can make it with chicken or keep it vegan with chickpeas, tofu or vegetables.
Where can I buy Turban Chopsticks Massaman Curry paste?
Online at turbanchopsticks.com.au or at stockists around Australia.