Our Origin Story
At UmamiBee, we build flavour. We don't add it.
Most home cooks are juggling too much. Kids, work, the everyday rush. You want meals that taste bold and layered like you knew what you were doing, but you don't have hours to make it happen.
That's the gap UmamiBee exists to fill.
Our sauces and pastes are built using fermentation, roasted aromatics, and food science to create the depth that usually takes time. One spoon of Dish Lifter fixes bland fried rice in 10 minutes or less. Sarsarap brings meaty richness to noodles. Going Bananas rewrites what ketchup can be. Banana on Fire layers heat with real complexity.
Because flavour shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a shortcut.
UmamiBee was founded by Analiza Laurel-Badilles, a food scientist who grew up in a Filipino family of cooks and vendors. She learned early that bold, layered flavour comes from time, care, and knowing what you're doing. But life got busy kids, work, the everyday rush and she realised most home cooks don't have hours to build flavour the traditional way.
So she asked: What if one spoon could do what used to take 20 minutes in 10 minutes or less?
Why UmamiBee?
Umami comes from my passion to build complex flavours through natural processes and real ingredients. It's about understanding the science of taste fermentation, roasting, layering - and using those methods to create depth without shortcuts, additives, or artificial flavour enhancers. Umami is the fifth taste, the thing that makes food taste complete. It's what I chase in every product.
Bee comes from MotherBee - my social media home where I guide home cooks and bakers around the world. It's about community, care, and helping people cook with confidence. It's about showing you that bold, layered flavour isn't complicated, it just takes intention.
Together, UmamiBee is a promise: flavour that's engineered with purpose, built with real ingredients, and designed to make your everyday meals taste like you knew exactly what you were doing.
Every product is vegan, clean-label, no MSG, no artificial anything. Made in a certified NZ kitchen. Small-batch. Real ingredients.
Whether you're a busy parent, a flexitarian, or someone who just wants to cook better, UmamiBee is here to make your everyday meals taste like you tried.
Our Mission
To bring bold, umami-rich flavours into every home through clean, honest, and high-quality products. We aim to make cooking effortless, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone while honouring tradition, celebrating nature’s finest ingredients, and caring for the environment.
Our Vision
To become a trusted kitchen companion that inspires culinary creativity, promotes healthier, flavourful meals, and champions sustainability. At UmamiBee, we envision a world where convenience meets authenticity, empowering families and food enthusiasts to cook with confidence, care, and respect for the planet.
Crafting Umami moments for everyone.
Bringing flavours that are rich, bold, and unforgettable to every kitchen table. At UmamiBee, we carefully combine honest, real ingredients like fresh vegetables, spices, and natural seasonings to deliver products that enhance your meals effortlessly. Whether you’re sautéing, simmering, or drizzling, each jar is crafted to help you create dishes bursting with savoury goodness. Designed for busy home cooks, curious foodies, and flavour lovers alike, our products ensure that every bite brings joy, connection, and a taste of umami magic.
Discover the UmamiBee Difference
At UmamiBee, we’re more than just a brand – we’re your partner in creating bold, delicious meals with ease. Our carefully crafted products, like our sauté bases, condiments, and sauces, are made with clean, honest ingredients and a deep love for flavour.
What makes us unique? We take the hard work out of cooking, helping you save time without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re a busy parent, a kitchen novice, or an adventurous foodie, UmamiBee delivers rich, umami-packed goodness that transforms ordinary meals into something extraordinary.
By choosing UmamiBee, you’re choosing convenience, quality, and a brand that values your health and the environment. Join us in making cooking simple, enjoyable, and flavourful—one jar at a time.
Elevate your meals. Love your time in the kitchen. Experience UmamiBee.
