Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!
Hot Squeeze: Sweet Heat Chipotle Sauce
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 30 |
16 |
14 |
15 |
na 10 |
5 |
5 | 94 |
This product is a HIT!
Here’s a short, sweet and hot review. We’re prejudiced against any product that lists sugar as its first ingredient; however, in this case we are willing to make an exception. The flavor, mouth-feel, consistency and appearance of this product are exceptional!
Retails for $4.99 - $5.99 / 11 oz.
Hot Squeeze
Atlanta, GA
404 377 2987
thehotsqueeze.com
Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds: Dark Chocolate Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 27 |
18 |
12 |
14 |
na 10 |
5 |
4 | 91 |
This product is a HIT!
Here’s a surprisingly good new product with a schizophrenic ingredient profile: the cocoa almond aroma is very appealing and the cocoa flavor does not overpower the almonds at all. We think it’s great for people to snack on nutritious nuts instead of unhealthy alternatives, BUT we wish they would have used sugar or stevia as a sweetener instead of the chemical sweeteners on this ingredient list. That said, these nuts are a great alternative for people who are addicted to M&M’s or any chocolate bar with nuts. They’re just as satisfying and are better for you. Retails for $6.69 / 11 oz.
Diamond foods, Inc
Stockton, CA
209 467 6000
emeraldnuts.com
Zenergie Fizzing Beverage Tablets: Hydrate Lemon and Lime Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 29 |
16 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
5 |
5 | 87 |
This product is a HIT!
One of the aspects of hydration that companies like Propel are well aware of is the fact that for many people drinking plain water is just plain boring. Studies have shown that adding a little flavor increases consumption significantly. This product from Zenergie is addressing this trend and combining it with a selection of supplements tailored to modern life. For example, “Thrive”: women’s multi-vitamin boost, “Empower”: men’s multi-vitamin boost, “Chill”: natural relaxation blend, and the flavor we tasted, “Hydrate”: natural electrolyte replenishment. Each different flavor contains a specific blend of herbs and vitamins and minerals. We love that they used stevia to sweeten this product and that there is 600 mg of vitamin C in this flavor. However, we do wish the flavor was a little better, the tablets dissolved more easily and lastly – we’d like more fizz. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $6.99 / 10 tablet tube.
Bevology
San Francisco, CA
604 221 9679
ZenergieHealth.com
Vic Cherikoff Down Under: Barrier Reef Lemon, Lime & Chili Sauce
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 20 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
na 10 |
5 |
4 | 80 |
The label of this new product proclaims it to be “aromatic, citrus and spicy”. Well, there’s little doubt that there is a strong aroma to this product, we’re just not sure how pleasant it is. When water is the first ingredient in a product and sugar is the second we become wary. The ingredients list “Australian lime juice” and “herbs and spices”. If they are going to make a point of sourcing these particular ingredients why not go the whole way and source the sugar, chili, tomato and lime paste as well? Finally, it would be nice to see a perforated tab opening on the plastic wrap on the bottle. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $6.99 / 10 oz.
Essentially Oz Marketing (USA) Pty, Ltd
Manhattan Beach, CA
61 2 9554 9477
www.cherikoff.net
Nui Kid Water: Raging Red Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 10 |
16 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
3 |
5 | 64 |
This product is a MISS!
This new kid’s beverage claims to be “A Big Wave of Nutrition”. With antioxidants, vitamins, electrolytes and fiber, it sounds great, but we have to say that no parent should be fooled by the claim that it contains “1/2 the sugar of apple juice” (and with ingredients like potassium hydroxide, we will run to the apple juice shelf) as the product is only 40% juice it should really have 40% of the sugar content of apple juice, not 50%. There is an unappealing sediment in the bottle and even though we love that it is sweetened with fruit juice and doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup, and that 50% of profits go to children’s charities, we’re afraid no kid is going to drink this more than once. Also available in Purple Power and Outrageous Orange flavors.
Retails for $1.39 / 10 fl oz.
NUI, LLC
Santa Monica
CA
866 504 6684
NUIWATER.com
Points System:
Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:
1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food
2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?
3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?
4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?
5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*
6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?
7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?
*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.
I am positive that you are well aware that the cost of food is rising, and quickly! According to recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the 2007 calendar year U.S. food prices increased by a whopping 4.9% - 8% higher than 2007 inflation rates and 2.8% higher than food prices increased in 2006. And most food folks would agree that we ain’t seen nothin' yet!
In the past, agricultural commodity prices tended to be volatile, with an overall decline trend, because they were supply-driven. Technology and productivity improvements in farming increased agricultural yields to meet supply, keeping prices down. Today, higher fuel prices are increasing the cost of transporting commodities, while various weather conditions and trade issues are currently contributing to lower supply. The result is higher prices across the board.
In the U.S., staples like milk, cheese and bread experienced especially marked hikes, with poultry, fruits and vegetables, cereal and meats following close behind. Internationally, increases in the prices of dairy and grains pushed the food price index used by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations up by almost 40% over the last year. By comparison, in the previous year period, the food price index was up only 9%.
With global commodity stocks at historic lows, a growing demand for food, feed and fuel, tight supply, and no plan for increased agricultural productivity, the phenomenon of higher prices is likely to continue. The International Food Policy Research Institute estimates that global cereal prices will rise 10 to 20% by the year 2015.
So what can you do?
Here are my 5 basic tips to keep on budget.
- Make a shopping list and stick to it.
Create the ultimate shopping list by taking receipts from the past month, list all the groceries you regularly buy by name on a spreadsheet. Then go thru the fridge, freezer and cupboards and look at what you have. Then cross what you don't need off the week's list. You'll cut your spending by 15 to 25 percent by not buying more of the same. - Use coupons.
Don't think you're above clipping coupons from the newspaper, magazines or even online. The average coupon value is almost one dollar! Also, put your kids in charge of coupon cutting and gathering, since it teaches valuable lessons about money, and be sure to give them a percentage of what you save as their allowance. - Sign up for frequent-shopper cards.
You will end up giving up brand loyalty because you'll be going for whatever is on sale. But there is no doubt you'll save money. - Buy the store’s own brand.
Most stores offer a 100%, money-back guarantee on their products and most of today's store brands are of the same quality or exceed the quality of name brands. This alone can save you 15% or more. - Buy produce in season or from local growers.
It’s tastier, more nutritious (as it had a longer growth cycle and was picked when ripe) and less expensive. For those fruits or veggies that are not in season, head to the frozen food case. Frozen and canned fruits and veggies are picked and processed at the height of flavor and can be up to 50% less than their out of season imported counterparts
Share your tips on how you can save $$ on your grocery bill and we will select 5 people at random and send them a SupermarketGuru canvas tote bag as a thank you!
Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!
Liz Lovely: Ginger Snapdragons
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 30 |
16 |
14 |
15 |
na 10 |
5 |
4 | 94 |
This product is a HIT!
According to the package this company is “Baking with a difference” and they are telling the truth. The cookie is dairy-free, egg-free, low sodium and has no trans fats. It also contains mostly organic and some fair trade ingredients, which made us wonder “does it taste good?” The answer to that question is a resounding yes! In fact, this is one of the best cookies we’ve tasted in a long time. The flavors are well-balanced, no individual flavor is overpowering - very nice. This cookie is also certified vegan and proves that you don’t have to give up great taste by choosing a vegan product. The only thing we are not over the moon about is the packaging; with 2 big cookies in one bag we’d either like to see them individually wrapped or both in a re-sealable outer bag thereby eliminating the need for an inner bag. Available in other varieties.
Retails for $3.99 / 6.3 oz (2 large cookies).
Liz Lovely, Inc
Waitsfield, VT
802 496 6390
lizlovely.com
One Drop: Coffee BBQ sauce
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 28 |
17 |
13 |
14 |
na 10 |
5 |
4 | 91 |
This product is a HIT!
We love the idea of a coffee-flavored, spicy, all-natural BBQ sauce. We also love the idea that sugar is not the first or second ingredient. However, as with most BBQ sauces, the flavor that dominates is tomato. Our recommendation would be more coffee, less tomato! We also find it curious that the coffee they are using is instant decaf and wonder if the product might have a stronger coffee flavor and aroma with a different type of coffee. Finally we’d love to see a pop-top with a nice pouring spout instead of a screw top. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $4.59 - $4.99 / 18 oz.
Gourmet Foods and Products, Inc
Auburndale, FL
863 967 4284
onedrophotsauce.com
TruFresh Shrimp: Salsa Verde Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 29 |
16 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
5 |
5 | 87 |
This product is a HIT!
The makers of this new product have a secret: they mention their unique freezing process on the package directing you to their website for more info. On the website there are a lot of info and study results, but they’re not giving that secret away. Makes sense, although we are a bit disappointed, because it must be what makes this frozen shrimp taste like fresh shrimp and makes it nice and tender, as opposed to the usual rubbery consistency of frozen shrimp after it’s been cooked in the microwave. The downside to this product is that when you prepare shrimp at home it’s usually just cooked in olive oil; this has a lot of other ingredients; some of which aren’t so great and a high sodium content of 500mg per serving (the package contains 2 servings). Available in other flavors.
Retails for $5 / 6 oz.
TRUFRESH LLC,
Suffield, CT
800 894 1167
trufresh.com
Eat Whatever
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 20 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
na 10 |
5 |
1 | 75 |
Here’s an interesting new candy idea: the premise is that after eating any food that results in bad breath, Eat Whatever offers you just “2 steps to kissable breath”. By swallowing a variable number (according to what you’ve eaten) of the jellies in the pack and then sucking on a mint, odor is gone. Complicated? A little. Worth it? Well, that depends. If you really can go out and enjoy a garlic and onion laden meal and this product can “make your breath kissable and your tummy calm”, then yes it is worth it. We would like the company to elaborate more on just how this product works. The jellies are pleasant enough to swallow (but definitely need to be washed down with water) and the mint tastes minty and refreshing as mints usually do. The package is a little on the bulky side for a pocket or purse and doesn’t stay closed but the company also sells them in sample packs of 2 jellies and 1 mint – more handy for a night out.
Retails for $3.99 / 10 jellies and 10 mints package or $30 / 100 sample packs.
Jacquean Products
NYC, NY
212 627 7612
eat-whatever.com
Love Me Tenders: Fully Cooked Seasoned Chicken Breast filet
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 15 |
18 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
4 |
2 | 69 |
For those people who are starved for time this new product is a great alternative to cooking or grilling chicken breast. However, the list of ingredients would keep us from using this on a regular basis, as would 720 mg of sodium for one breast. Unfortunately, all the added coloring, flavoring and spices don’t seem to be doing too much to help the chicken, either in tenderness or flavor. Even after all those additives the taste is a little bland. We love that the package is re-sealable, but it should be, because it’s a huge package. Available in other varieties.
Retails for $7.99 / 1.75 lb package.
America Loves BBQ
Chicago, IL
773 502 8000
ALBBQ.com
Points System:
Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:
1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food
2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?
3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?
4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?
5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*
6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?
7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?
*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.
Few things go together as beautifully as wine and cheese. Have you ever wondered why?
The major reason is the tannin. Tannin is that chalky, dry taste you get when you drink strong tea. What do many of us put in tea? Milk. And the reason is that it cuts the tannin. Red wine has more tannin than white wine, but tannin is a major factor why cheese and wine go together so well: it is a marriage of taste.
But some of these marriages don't work. You need, as the psychologists (and biologists) say, the right chemistry of the right cheese to the right wine.
Wines for light, creamy cheeses:
These include Brie, Camembert, Fontina, Gouda, Saint Andrè, Mozzarella, etc. Any cheese that is fresh, creamy, and not aged too long so it develops that "ripe" flavor. This includes a lot of Goat and Sheep cheeses, as long as they are not aged so long that they become like a Pecorino Romano (made from Sheep's milk).
- White grape varietals: Crisp white wines, or wines with bubbles, or a slight sweetness. Sauvignon blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumè, Fumè Blanc), Chardonnay, Riesling (dry or slightly sweet), Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio). Champagne and sparkling wines are great choices too. The bubbles cut through the creaminess.
- Red grape varietals: Light reds, sparkling reds or rosè. Think of warm weather reds. Gamay (Beaujolais), Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, and the lighter varieties of Tempranillo (Rioja), Granache & Sangiovese.
These would include cheeses like aged Cheddar, aged Asiago, Parmigiano (Reggiano), Pecorino Romano, Gruyère, and others that are spicy and powerful. These are big cheeses, and you want the tannins of big reds to cut through and compliment the spice and full flavors. Sometimes a big, oaky Chardonnay will do, but more often than not you will want a red wine. The blue penicillium running through the large variety of blue cheeses available requires the heaviest wines.
- Red grape varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo (Rioja or California), Sangiovese or Super Tuscans, and last but not least, Port.
More from Phil Lempert
How often have you picked up a food product, looked at the ingredient listing, and found the word “gum”? If your experiences are anything like mine; it's all too often. But do you know what gums really are, and why they are in our foods?
Guar Gum comes from the Guar bean (a drought resistant bean, it is used for food and fed to cattle). It is used as a thickening agent – popular because it is up to 8 times as thick as corn starch. Guar Beans are notoriously difficult to digest and anyone who has digestive problems or a food allergy-compromised digestive system should pay close attention to see if Guar Gum is listed in the ingredient list. You should also consult your allergist to find out if Guar Gum is a friend or foe.
Xanthan Gum as developed in the US in the ‘60s and is the slimy result of the fermentation that takes place when a type of bacteria (the type that causes black rot to form on vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower) is mixed with corn sugar. Those with corn allergies should be vigilant about their reaction to this gum and some people are specifically allergic to it. It’s very popular in food production (especially salad dressings and ice cream) as it creates a flowing gelatinous, homogenized texture.
Locust Bean Gum, also called Carob Gum or Carubin, comes from the seeds of the carob tree. A much more friendly gum, it has been used since ancient times for its thickening properties, both culinary and otherwise - it was actually used by the Egyptians to paste the bandages onto mummies - it is now added to dressings and ice creams and is a useful alternative additive to thicken pie fillings instead of corn or wheat products.
Acacia Gum which is also called Gum Arabic, comes from the bark of the Acacia Tree and is primarily used as an emulsifying, stabilizing and thickening agent in ice cream, candy and syrups.
Needless to say, in today’s food processing, sometimes gums are a necessity – but read the labels carefully as you can see, not all gums are the same!
