A crumb of good flavor

Taster's Choice

By Kathy Saunders, Special to the Times
Published June 27, 2007

Italian style bread crumbs ranking
1. Hannaford
2. Vigo
3. Great Value

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Bread crumbs are one of the most versatile staples in the pantry. They coat chicken and fish. They bind and flavor meatloaf and hamburgers. And they make a delightful crust atop a homemade batch of mac and cheese.

In an ideal world, we make our own bread crumbs. But Taster's Choice judges allowed they almost always reach for the store-bought crumbs when they cook.

We put seven brands of "seasoned" or "Italian Style" canned bread crumbs to the test and favored the saltier mixtures.

Hannaford, the store brand from Sweetbay $1.19 for 15 ounces, was the top pick. Judges gave the Italian Style crumbs 79 out of 100 possible points. All five said they would buy the brand.

"These are flavorful with a nice grain and they aren't too fine, " said one panelist. "They also have splendid bits of herb and parsley." He described the overall taste as "oven roasted."

Another judge detected a hint of oregano and a smooth, peppery taste.

"The spices in these would really add to the flavor of any dish, " she said.

Vigo crumbs, the brand I usually reach for - for no other reason than habit - was the second choice. Panelists gave the Italian Style crumbs ($1.46 for 16 ounces from Wal-Mart) a total of 73 points. Four judges said they would buy the brand.

"They have a nice, coarse grind and a great, brown color, " said one judge.

"These are not overly salty and they would be great in turkey burgers, " he said.

Another judge liked the "fresh" flavor of the Vigo crumbs.

Judges also liked the bread crumbs by Great Value from Wal-Mart ($1.08 for a 15-ounce can). The store brand received 69 points. Three of the four judges said they would buy the crumbs from Wal-Mart.

"I love the initial burst of herb flavor, " said one judge. "They are really good!"

"These are very salty and ground finely like a sandy powder, " said another.

The Wal-Mart bread crumbs had the most garlic flavor as well.

Also sampled were bread crumbs from: Albertsons ($1.59 for 15 ounces); 4C ($1.18 for 15 ounces from Wal-Mart); Bella ($1.39 for 8 ounces from Sweetbay) and Publix ($1.46 for 16 ounces).

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; Kim Thomson, fifth-grade teacher at Pasadena Fundamental School; and consumer Julie Overton, mother of four. All foods were tasted blind.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 15:04:37]