Walking into Coles Broadway feels like stepping into a reunion. Instead of familiar faces, it’s all the products I’ve tried over my supermarket taste tests this year. It’s a blend of nostalgia and excitement, as if every item has its own story.
This year, I dove into a whopping 291 supermarket products. Each visit taught me something new and sparked opinions I never knew I had. I wanted to share these insights, but stores aren’t exactly “soapbox friendly.” I once offered help to a guy in the coffee aisle. He just looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and said, “No thanks.” Another time, a woman in the muesli section shot back with, “I don’t need help.” Turns out, it was me who needed an outlet for all my thoughts!
### Price Doesn’t Equal Taste
Before embarking on my taste test journey, I had a habit of choosing the most expensive ingredients. I thought they’d be the best. I was shocked to find little connection between price and taste. The priciest item in my tests only won once, while the cheapest often fared just as well. So, deliciousness exists at any price point, but most supermarket offerings fall flat.
### Packaging Lies
I also looked into packaging. You know, those fancy designs that scream “premium”? The average score for these glam products? A mere five out of ten. It was eye-opening!
### Taste Is Surprisingly Universal
Many think personal preferences dictate taste, but there’s a science to it. As a commenter on my findings pointed out, our noses and tongues are pretty much wired to respond to the same flavors. For example, sweet mangos are usually loved over more esoteric fruits like dragonfruit. A panel of taste testers might disagree on specifics, but there’s a good chance everyone would rank certain brands as subpar.
### Ignoring Packet Instructions
I discovered that packet instructions are rarely helpful. They often promote quick solutions over quality preparation, leading to undercooked meals. It’s better to trust your instincts and adjust cooking times as needed.
### Sweet Sorbet Success
One delightful experience was tasting 15 different sorbets in one sitting. It felt like a sweet, joyous gathering, chatting and enjoying the flavors. In contrast, sampling 19 crackers left me bewildered. One friend compared it to being a jellyfish stranded on a beach.
### Regional Pride in Sorbet
Shout out to South Australia! Their Golden North sorbets were fantastic. A nod to my readers who encouraged me to explore local flavors!
### Beware of the Flavor Villains
As I wrapped up a busy year of taste tests, I started noting my “villain of the year.” This year, it was the flavors that disappointed me the most. From a dreadful meat pie to pickles that seemed to have the carbonation of soda mixed with something foul, I had my share of culinary villains.
In the end, supermarkets are a treasure trove of flavors—some spectacular, others shockingly bad. The journey of taste testing has been an informative and entertaining one. Who knew shopping could teach such valuable lessons about food?
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