2E: Quick Takes
By TIMES STAFF AND WIRES
Published November 15, 2006
A roundup of new products already on shelves or headed for grocery stores:
Green tea to go
The latest beverage that everybody is jumping on is green tea. That includes little pouches of diet instant tea to pour into your bottled water.
The first ingredient in Lipton's product, Iced Tea To Go, is instant tea. In Crystal Light's version, On The Go, instant tea is third, after citric acid (provides tartness) and maltodextrin (a spray-drying aid).
One packet of Lipton's (from a box of 10 - each enough for a 16-ounce bottle) is about 29 cents at a discount supermarket; Crystal Light's is about 35 cents at the same store (from a box of 14). Each brand's packet costs about 75 percent more than the same amount of their similar mixes from bulk jars (20 cents for Crystal Light; 16 cents for Lipton).
Fruity crunch
Nature Valley Fruit Crisps, baked apple pieces, come in regular and cinnamon-flavored varieties and are available in lunch box-friendly snack packs. Each bag equals one serving of fruit and has 50 calories. A box of five costs $3.20 to $3.50 at various grocers.
Eagle choice soars
The number of Eagle Brand dessert kits has reached nine, and you can bet that your grocer doesn't have the one you want. (But you can order a case - that's six - for $33 including shipping at www.eaglebrandkits.com.) Choose from Cherry Cheesecake Treasures, Creamy Lemon Delights, Decadent Fudge, Key Lime Treasures, Magic Cookie Bars, Pumpkin Pie Gems (each makes six minipies), Peanut Butter Passion, Toffee Dream Bars and Turtle Temptations.
Sources: McClatchy- Tribune Newspapers and Chicago Tribune.
The Art of the Holiday
This special program is aimed at helping the novice entertainer plan a successful party. Hosts Michele Adams and Gia Russo outline the game plan for several different holiday parties, from decorations to dessert. A lesson for us all perhaps. 1 p.m. Sunday on Fine Living Network.
In last week's Turkey Tip Sheet on The Dish we gave credit where it wasn't due for things to avoid when buying a turkey. It was the editors of Bon Appetit, not Gourmet, who came up with the list. Also, information in that article came from staff reports, Bon Appetit, Hormel, www.about.com and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A source line was omitted.