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Panel's selection is one honey of a ham

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published March 22, 2006

Taster's Choice judges said they expect to be in line for the precooked hams this spring. In fact, they probably will be waiting at one of the area's Honeybaked Ham stores. That was the favorite among our sample of seven hams found locally.

All of the hams were precooked and all but one was sliced. Some of them came glazed. A couple of others included a packet of glaze and instructions on how to heat the ham and apply the glaze while the ham was still warm. In three cases, we followed those directions. But all of the hams were eaten cold.

The "mini'' Honeybaked Ham ($29.01) received 72 out of a possible 100 points from our judges. Most of the panelists recognized the familiar taste in our blind test.

"This has a sweet glaze with a hint of clove,'' said one judge.

"It has a beautiful, artisan design,'' said another taster. "All around, it's a nice product to serve company.''

Taster's Choice purchased the Honeybaked Ham at the store in Pinellas Park where lines before holidays can sometimes wrap around the block. Admittedly, I often order these hams online (along with side dishes) and have them delivered to my door. It's a few extra bucks, but it's worth the time saved.

For consumers who don't want to wait in line or pay extra, Taster's Choice found the spiral cut ham from Publix is nearly as good. The Publix ham ($39.79) received 71 points from our panelists.

"This has a nice, smoky taste - like Mom's,'' said one judge. "This would make great leftovers.''

The first Publix I visited didn't have any of the spiral hams and they weren't due to be delivered for several days. The butcher at the second store said he didn't think he had any either, but luckily found one in a pile of other hams. Next time I will order ahead.

Another one from Publix was by Cumberland ($16.85). This one had decent flavor and a great, pink color, but it wasn't precut. Like some of the others, including a tiny, boneless ham by Hormel ($11.95), judges thought the Cumberland ham would be fine as a side dish on the buffet rather than as the main attraction.

My neighborhood Albertsons also had a spiral cut ham. Judges put the Albertsons ham ($32.28) in third place with a total of 62 points. It came with a packet of glaze on the side.

Judges thought the Albertsons ham was a little beefy tasting, but they liked the glaze.

"It doesn't look as pretty on the plate, but there's plenty of taste,'' said one panelist.

A spiral cut ham from Sam's ($16.76) came glazed and had an extra packet of brown sugar for "double glazing.'' But, even with two coats of sugary crust, this one was a bit dried out for our panelists.

The same went for a ham from Gordon Food Service ($25.37). It was nicely sliced, but lacked any strong flavor.

Panelists were: Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Jim Yockey, aesthetician with Indulgence Medical Day Spa in St. Petersburg; former food broker Susa Hanks; and personal chef Kay Studer. All foods were tasted blind.

[Last modified March 22, 2006, 08:41:33]