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Quick oatmeals warm tasters' tummies

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published February 22, 2006

Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts - especially when it's cold outside. The longer it's left on the stove, the better. Taster's Choice panelists weren't as enthusiastic, and I had to replace one judge midway through the tasting.

It didn't take long to discover that oatmeal without raisins or sugar or other spices isn't the treat I am used to. But most of our tasters are professionals, and they forged on. We sampled six varieties of quick-cooking oats. All were prepared in the microwave (yikes), according to the package directions.

Without the extras, our panelists were looking for oats that were creamy, a bit salty and with an appetizing, light brown color.

The store brand from Publix ($1.19) was the top scorer with 69 out of a possible 100 points. All but one judge said they would buy this brand.

The grains in the Publix oatmeal were a bit finer than some of the others we sampled.

"This is classic oatmeal - Mom's oatmeal,'' said one judge.

Like white rice, I like my oatmeal to be sticky and clumpy. Publix met those requirements. It reminded me of the oatmeal I savored during a cold, foggy morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, last year.

Albertsons came in second with 67 points. Again, four of five judges said they would buy this brand.

The Albertsons oatmeal had the same appealing texture as the Publix cereal. It also had a hint of salt in the flavor.

"This is browned just right and has a whole-grain flavor,'' said one panelist.

Another described it as "warm, reassuring and nutty." He said, "This is a great way to start the morning - if you didn't want to leave the nest."

McCann's oatmeal ($2.99) was the third pick with 61 points. Three of the five judges said they would buy a tin of these quick oats.

Judges liked the flecks of oats in McCann's. One judge said the oats were stale, though.

"These taste like they were harvested when Barbara was the first lady,'' he said.

Also sampled were oats from Kash n' Karry ($1.99); Sam's ($.98) and Quaker Oats ($1.99).

Panelists were: Nan Jensen, registered dietician with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Jim Yockey, aesthetician with Indulgence Medical Day Spa in St.. Petersburg; Gary Kawalec, of Tampa Bay Supper Club in Safety Harbor; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 in St. Petersburg: personal chef Julie Overton; and Taster's Choice columnist Kathy Saunders. All foods were tasted 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. To read past Taster's Choice columns, go to www.sptimes.com/food.

[Last modified February 22, 2006, 10:55:56]