Albertsons Mild Picante Sauce - Review

Some people argue that there is no difference between salsa and picante sauce. One is thicker than the other, one is more pureed, one has chunkier pieces or the other has fresher ingredients. Which one is which? There is no definite answer. It is almost like arguing about politics and religion. Passions flare when salsa lovers discuss their favorites. I don't think any wars started because of this controversy but I'm sure friendly arguments arise here and there.

Albertsons brand mild picante sauce proves that when it comes to taste the price of the product is no indicator of consumer satisfaction. Albertsons picante sauce is nearly a full dollar below other big name brands yet tastes just as good or better. There may be no difference between a picante sauce and a salsa but there is a big difference in flavors of different brands.

In an unofficial taste test conducted amongst family members, neighbors, and friends the Albertsons brand scored just as high or higher than other 'big' name brand picante sauces such as Pace or Tostitos.The taste test covered such important values as: taste, color, chunkiness, runniness(a new word), heat, scoopability(another new word), and price.

The differences were amazing. The colors ran from a nice red to a dull pink. Some of the sauces were so runny they would saturate the paper bowl they were placed in. Some had visible chunks of ingredients while others displayed minuscule blobs of green and red. The sauces either looked very appealing or really kind of blah or even mysterious. Bags of tortilla chips were opened and everyone dug in. The test had turned into a picante tasting party.

When all the scores were tallied and belly's full Albertsons brand of picante sauce proved to be in the top two of every category of the eight brands tested. The jar we used for the test cost $1.89 that day and contained 16 ounces of goodness. the list of ingredients is: tomato puree, water, fresh jalapeno peppers, fresh onions, crushed tomatoes, distilled vinegar, dehydrated onions, salt, dehydrated garlic, natural flavors.