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Catch of the day: store-brand tuna
By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published August 16, 2006
Floridians who braved the hurricanes of the past two seasons have a box full of supplies ready these days. And who among us doesn't have a few cans or packets of tuna alongside those Cheerios and water bottles? Taster's Choice panelists don't wait for a storm to enjoy tuna. And they were pretty certain they could identify their preferred brands from our blind test. They were wrong. Forget the bumblebee, the mermaid and the Geisha girl - store brands were the best here. All of our samples were of water-packed white tuna. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand 98 cents for a 6-ounce can was the winner with 77 out of 100 possible points. All four judges said they would buy this brand. "This one is definitely the best," said one panelist. "It's chunky, flavorful and beautiful - it's five-star tuna." Other judges liked the flaky texture of the Wal-Mart brand as well as the dense packing. "Forget the mayo - it stands alone," said one. Target's Market Pantry brand (99 cents for a 6-ounce can) was their second choice, receiving 68 points. Every judge said they detected more salt in the Target tuna, but none complained. It was a bit mushy for one judge, but the other three said they would buy the brand. "This would make a perfect sandwich," said one. Judges didn't like the tuna samples if they were too soggy, too dark or too pungent. The tuna from Albertson's ($1.39 for a 6-ounce can) was given 63 points. This was the whitest of those tested and extremely flaky. Panelists particularly liked the texture and the absence of oil. Three of the four said they would buy the store brand. Also sampled was tuna from Bumble Bee ($2.69 for a 7-ounce pouch); StarKist ($2.09 for a 7-ounce pouch); Chicken of the Sea ($1.29 for a 6-ounce can); and Geisha ($1.29 for a 6-ounce can). Panelists were Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension Service; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 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. RANKINGS 1. Wal-Mart 2. Target 3. Albertson's
[Last modified August 15, 2006, 09:29:18]
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