It's hard to go wrong with chocolate syrups
By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published June 7, 2006
Growing up, my parents had two cures for any ailment: a hot bath or a dessert smothered in chocolate syrup.
Our chocolate choices were pretty limited and the syrups came in hard to open cans that always dripped after they were opened. But you really couldn't go wrong with something so delicious. Taster's Choice panelists found that to be true today as well.
We tasted seven brands, all over vanilla ice cream, and didn't turn any of the toppings away. In fact, it was hard to pick a winner.
The top pick edged out competitors by only a few points. Nestle Nesquik topping ($1.79 for 22 ounces) won with 64 out of 100 possible points.
"This has a great, dark roasted flavor," one judge said. "It looks like light midnight and I would definitely use it in chocolate cakes or milkshakes."
Another panelist said the Nesquik chocolate "had the perfect sheen," adding, "As Goldilocks said, it's just right."
The second and third choices were ties.
Chocolate syrups from Smuckers ($2.29 for 20 ounces) and Hannaford ($1.59 for 24 ounces) received 61 points from judges.
Judges described these two second-place winners as velvety, biting and rich.
The syrups had to pour nicely to please our panelists. They also had to be thick enough to hold their shape, and chalky wasn't a bad thing.
"These are great. I ate the whole thing," said one judge.
The third-place finalists each received 60 points. They were the syrups from Mrs. Richardson's ($2.95 for 16 ounces) and Hershey's ($1.95 for 24 ounces).
After tasting the other brands, the Mrs. Richardson's chocolate was a little too thick for some panelists.
"The spoon stands up in it," said one. Another said it looked more like pudding.
But all five judges said they would buy any of the top picks. One said he would give the Mrs. Richardson's topping as a gift.
Also sampled were syrups from Publix ($1.59 for 24 ounces) and Albertsons ($1.99 for 24 ounces).
Panelists were: Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 personal chef Julie Overton; Gary Kawalec, chef/owner of Tampa Bay Supper Club in Safety Harbor; and Jim Yockey, aesthetician at Indulgence Medical Day Spa in St. Petersburg. 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.
RANKINGS
1. Nestle Nesquik
2. Smuckers and Hannaford tie
3. Mrs. Richardson's and Hershey's (tie)