My great canned tomato showdown that saved my wallet

Okay, so I was making a big pot of chili last month and decided to actually test something. I always bought the name brand crushed tomatoes, the ones in the red can that cost like $3.50. My friend said the store brand for $1.80 was just as good. I did a side by side taste test, right from the can, no seasoning. The cheap one was actually brighter and fresher tasting, less tinny. The expensive one was kinda dull and a little bitter. I made two small batches of chili with each, and my partner picked the cheap tomato batch every time. I felt so silly for paying almost double for years. Has anyone else done a blind taste test with a basic pantry item and been totally surprised?

2 comments

2 Comments

davis.gavin15d ago

Wow, I was a total brand name snob about this too.

davidwright15d ago

Yeah it's easy to fall into that trap. The generic stuff often works just as well for way less money. You feel silly once you realize it.