Hot dog buns rise to the occasion

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published May 30, 2007

When Taster's Choice made its debut in June 2004, we told you which hot dogs we preferred to put on the grill for summer cookouts. This week, we can tell you which bun to put them on.

Panelists compared 11 brands of hot dog buns and found a couple of standouts.

Their preferred bun was the brand I purchase most of the time. Their reasons, though, were different from mine. I think the buns from Pepperidge Farm $2.59 for eight buns from Publix last longer than some of the other brands. Judges were impressed with the taste, texture and appearance of the Pepperidge Farm buns. They awarded the bread rolls 88 out of 100 possible points.

"These are nice, well-rounded buns, " said one judge.

The buns were moist, slightly sweet and fluffy. All four judges said they will buy them in the future.

"This bun is the best of the lot. It has a great flavor, great color and the frank will stick out of either end- which will be great, " said one panelist.

They also liked the potato rolls from Arnold ($2.69 for a pack of eight from Publix). Judges gave these 76 points and a lot of praise.

"They are sweet, like Hawaiian bread, " said one.

Again, all four would buy the Arnold hot dog buns.

The Wonder white wheat hot dog buns, probably my second choice at the grocery store, were the judges' third choice. They gave them 57 points, and three of the four said they would buy them if the Pepperidge Farm buns were sold out.

"This looks good and healthy, like a soft, whole wheat bread, " said one judge. He also liked the buns' golden color.

Also sampled were buns from: Merlita ($1.99 for eight buns from Publix); Albertsons ($1.25 for 12 buns); Sunbeam ($1.50 for eight buns from Publix); Nature's Own White Wheat ($2.09 for eight buns from Publix); Hannaford (99 cents for eight buns from Sweetbay); Great Value ($1.07 for eight buns from Wal-Mart; and Sara Lee ($1.79 for eight buns from Sweetbay).

Hot dog buns ranking:

1. Pepperidge Farm

2. Arnold

3. Wonder

Panelists were: Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 Jim Yockey, aesthetician at Indulgence Medical Day Spa; and consumer Julie Overton, mother of four. All foods were tasted blind.

Send suggestions for product tasting to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or e-mail them to jkeeler@sptimes.com">href="mailto:jkeeler@sptimes.com" mce_href="mailto:jkeeler@sptimes.com">jkeeler@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line. To read past Taster's Choice columns, go to www.sptimes.com/food.

The next glorified foodie

In the two-hour premiere of The Next Food Network Star, Bobby Flay joins the panel of judges. The 11 finalists meet for the first time and face their first challenge: to prepare an original dish for a dinner party. The season finale is July 22, and between now and then, the judging panel will include Food Network's biggest names. The third season of The Next Food Network Star begins at 9 p.m. Sunday .

[Last modified May 29, 2007, 17:00:06]