In the season of comfort food, mashed potatoes are a hot item.
Taster's Choice sampled six instant varieties from local supermarkets and discovered that Idaho Spuds in a box are nearly as good as those in the produce department. With a few toppings, our panelists thought guests might be fooled by this instant version.
Idaho Spuds ($1.57) was the top pick with 58 out of a possible 80 points. Three of the four panelists said they would buy Idaho Spuds because the potatoes were creamy, not too salty and were a nice white.
"It looks like it's been whipped," one judge said of sample prepared according to the directions. "Add blue cheese crumbles and yum!"
Some instant potatoes clumped and others tasted as if they had too many additives, such as salt or butter flavoring.
Second choice for our panelists was Kash n' Karry's brand ($1.29), which received 50 points. Judges said Kash n' Karry's potatoes were a bit sticky and dingy in color, but tasty nonetheless.
"An excellent fakeout," one panelist said.
Another judge said he could eat the Kash n' Karry potatoes plain. Again, three out of four panelists said they would buy the brand. The third favorite was Albertsons boxed potatoes ($1.69).
One judge said she would buy Albertsons' version, and two said they might buy the store brand. One judge said he would eat them "only if they were smothered with gravy." He said they reminded him of something served by a school cafeteria.
But the panelists who liked the Albertsons brand had praise for the thickness and smoothness of the potatoes.
"These could pass for real potatoes with more butter," one judge said. The same panelist said she probably would add salt and garlic, too.
Other brands tasted were Hungry Jack ($2.52), Betty Crocker Potato Buds ($2.19) and Idahoan ($1.99).
Panelists were: Nan Jensen, home economist with Pinellas County Family and Consumer Sciences; personal chefs Julie Overton and Marc Easterman; and Times food editor Janet K. Keeler. All products were tested blind.
Send suggestions for product testing to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or e-mail them to krieta@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line.
