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Choosing the top kosher dill was no pickle
By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published March 30, 2005
Pickles are the dessert treat of choice for my 7-year-old niece. She eats her dinner just to get her hands on a jar of Claussen kosher dill spears.
Claussen was the preferred pickle for our panelists as well, although they wouldn't substitute them for sugary desserts.
Taster's Choice sampled eight varieties of dill spears, giving them one to 80 points. The winner ($2.50) received 63.
The Claussens were found in the refrigerator case, along with another brand, Dietz & Watson ($4.99 at Albertsons). The others came from the condiment aisle.
Panelists liked the crunch from Claussen dills, along with the natural color.
"It has an ultra-homemade taste and no fake color," one judge said. Another said, "This pickle is great. It has a sharp, good chew and snaps."
Vlasic dill spears ($2.49) placed second with 42 points. As with the winning pickle, three of the four judges said they would buy the brand.
The Vlasic pickles were a bit softer than Claussen but still crisp. One panelist described this dill as gentle.
The third favorite was from Albertsons ($2.84). Two judges were impressed with the store brand's "good pickle taste" and hint of salt.
The other two panelists disagreed, calling the pickles "too wimpy."
All brands sampled were kosher dill spears. Others were Publix ($1.69); Mt. Olive ($2.19); Kash n' Karry ($1.59); and Peter Piper's ($2.29).
Panelists were: Jim Yockey, aesthetician, Tierra Verde Salon and Day Spa, Personal chef Julie Overton; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 and Nan Jensen, registered and licensed dietitian with Pinellas County Extension. All products were tasted blind.
Send suggestions for product testing to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or e-mail them to krieta@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line.
RANKINGS
No. 1: Claussen.
No. 2: Vlasic.
No. 3: Albertsons.
[Last modified March 29, 2005, 14:43:59]
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