When the big guys do it best--large companies, good products

A recent thread on decent chain restaurants got me thinking about those food and drink products made by huge companies that are the best in their class. I'll submit two for your consideration, and ask for others:
(remember, these are my opinions only, and I can certainly handle disagreement)

1) Heinz ketchup. Regardless of political persuasion, I think that to most people Heinz is ketchup. The only real competition they have is Hunts, and I don't think they're even close--in sales or in taste. Heinz is just plain good. Isn't it disappointing when you go to a joint with good burgers and fries, and are handed a squeeze-bottle or packet of off-brand, non-Heinz ketchup?

2) Guinness Stout. The size of Guiness Brewing makes the big US brewers look like micro-brewers. Yet they (Guinness) manage to put out the beer that is the classic of its style. Its Irish competitors can't compete on taste, so Murphy's tries to distinguish itself by being sweeter, and Beamish sells its stout cheaper. And I've never had a micro-brew (or medium-brew) that comes close. In fact, it seems that micro-brewers have almost given up on trying to brew Irish-style stout, and are focusing on heavier oatmeal and Imperial stouts, or other styles of stout.

I've got to agree with you: the big co stuff isn't always heinous, and at worst most of it is merely boring and unimaginative.

There have been many slogans over the years, but to me, Coke Is It. It, however, is getting harder to find at restaurants these days, outside of McD's and Burger King, and Pepsi just isn't It (and Fountain Coke is almost always superior to cans or plastic bottles). I understand your beverage messiah may be different, and I won't attempt to change you. Imagination isn't needed here.

On the other hand, Pepsi's Mountain Dew line has been a source of imagination. Code Red, the only beverage to have a computer virus named after it, is an all-right drink. Live Wire is too sweet for me, perhaps as a mixer it would work. Their Midnight Blast or whatever the black one is called is OK, my kids appreciate a purple drink with blue foam.

They're pushing the envelope a bit for a mainstream company, and that's a good thing.

Other surprises in recent months include Sunshine's twisted Cheez-Its in Blue Cheese and Hot Sauce flavor. Oooh, they're dangerously good.

There have been many slogans over the years, but to me, Coke Is It. It, however, is getting harder to find at restaurants these days, outside of McD's and Burger King, and Pepsi just isn't It (and Fountain Coke is almost always superior to cans or plastic bottles).

Agreed on both points with one exception. McDonald's fountain Coke is weak and flat tasting.

Another product is Hellman's mayonnaise. When I use mayonnaise as a full-fledged ingredient, as in aioli or an accoutrement to fish stew, I make my own. Nevertheless, Hellman's is a very acceptable alternative both as an ingredient and when a homemade mayo is not appropriate (i.e. to be served to pregnant woman or children).

I think Goya consistenty and cheaply churns out quality products.

I agree with the Coke thing, but fountain coke changes from location to location, even day to day. I always wondered if there was some doctor of fountain maintenance who new how to properly tweak the mix and machine.

When I'm in a hispanic grocery (maybe picking up Goya products) I'll often buy Coke bottled in Mexico. The glass container makes for a better tasting product as does the use of cane suger as opposed to corn syrup.

Ramon wrote:I think Goya consistenty and cheaply churns out quality products.

I agree with the Coke thing, but fountain coke changes from location to location, even day to day. I always wondered if there was some doctor of fountain maintenance who new how to properly tweak the mix and machine.

When I'm in a hispanic grocery (maybe picking up Goya products) I'll often buy Coke bottled in Mexico. The glass container makes for a better tasting product as does the use of cane suger as opposed to corn syrup.

My girlfriend is canadian, and says Mexican coke tastes almost identical to Canadian coke, glass bottle or no. It's somehow less sweet than American coke, despite having an equal or higher sugar content.

-ed

Taqueria Puebla sells Mexican coke. And I must admit, it takes me back to the taste of Coke of my childhood.

Hi,

Kosher Coca Cola is also made with cane sugar.

One of my great soda pop loves is Dr. Pepper. There is only one Dr. Pepper bottler who uses cane sugar, which is located in Plano, Texas. SteveZ was kind enough to bring me a bottle, which I have yet to open awaiting a special occasion.

I was in kindergarten when my Dad, watching an original episode of Hogan's Heroes and straightening out his office, offered me a taste of Dr. Pepper. My immediate thought was Pepper=spicey and Dr.=medicine and ran screaming from his office. It was a good five years before I ever had my first Dr. Pepper and loved it.

For some years, I had a one woman personal campaign to put Dr. Pepper on menus. My strategy? I would always request Dr. Pepper first, then act profoundly disappointed when it wasn't available. Of course, then I would cave and order a Coke.

I'm a Pepper, You're a Pepper, Wouldn't you want to be a Pepper, too? Be a Pepper, drink Dr. Pepper.

I believe the very reason Coke staged the New Coke to Classic Coke fiasco was to change the "original" formula. The ingredientz have always listed an and/or list of sweeteners. It is all part of the American corn conspiracy: the quest to make corn a ubiquitous part of existence.

We eat it at the movies AND fuel our cars on the same plant.

BEWARE THE CORN JIHAD!

I meant to bring this subject back to topic but really can't think of any (more) food related large companies that deserve kudos. Maybe MdDonalds for eliminating the cocaine straws?

-ramon

Ramon wrote:II meant to bring this subject back to topic but really can't think of any (more) food related large companies that deserve kudos. Maybe MdDonalds for eliminating the cocaine straws?

-ramon

The cocaine straws?? McD's no longer accepts/dispenses paper currency?

Sorry, just thought of it:

Morton International: Chicago IL

Those wonderful blue boxes of kosher salt!

Hi,

Actually, Coke's desire to switch to Coke II was firmly planted in sales. Coke was loosing market share to the much sweeter Pepsi. In the late 70's or early 80's, Pepsi launched the Pepsi vs Coke side-by-side blind comparisons at community events throughout the country. People chose Pepsi over Coke more often than not; which was hyped further in their advertising.

I was in Europe when I learned Classic Coke was going to disapeer. I had this remorseful reaction with every drink this was one of my last, true Cokes in my lifetime. I was young with silly priorities, so it meant more to me then than it would today.

Despite the short lived exclusive Coke II had, it remains available still today.

Ramon wrote:
II meant to bring this subject back to topic but really can't think of any (more) food related large companies that deserve kudos. Maybe MdDonalds for eliminating the cocaine straws?

-ramon

The cocaine straws?? McD's no longer accepts/dispenses paper currency? Shocked

I meant spoons! They were ingenious things.

-ramon

I have never once had a homemade Pop Tart that could compare with what Kellogg's provides.

Cathy2 wrote:Kosher Coca Cola is also made with cane sugar.

Actually, it's only kosher-for-Passover Coke that's made with sugar (and it could be beet sugar). The rest of the year, corn sweetener is perfectly kosher, and as far as I know, all Coca-Cola products are kosher.

We always stock up on Passover Coke in the spring -- cans if we can find them -- but you can't keep it too long because the flavors go off.

I find the difference between sugar- and corn-sweetened Coke to be more a matter of mouthfeel than flavor; corn sweetener makes the product more viscous. But the sugared Coke is also sharper and cleaner tasting.

Coca-Cola is on the short list of products that I can't live without. I was among those who were devastated during the Coke II debacle.

By the way, if you haven't seen it, Mark Pendergrast's history For God, Country and Coca-Cola is a fun read.

Regarding sweetness of Coke vs Pepsi:

Pepsi has always been sweeter, and closer to the Bliss Point, which I was originaly told in a Sensory Physiology class was discovered by a Dr. Bliss, although I haven't found any evidence of that online.

Beyond that point, it's too sweet, beneath that, your body craves a bit more sweetness -- that's (original) Coke's ploy: "Hmm, I'll have another."

New Coke/Coke II was an attempt to hit that same spot, but ended up tasting more like Pepsi where the ice had melted -- all the bitter and aromatic notes that make Coke what it is were taken out, probably because each one bothered somebody in a focus group. But without that "bite" Coke is not as palate-cleansing, as satisfying after spicy or tangy foods, IMHO.

I think you are going a bit off topic with all this coke talk....but that is what coke makes you do


Just look in the cupboard for some big corp stuff....

1. Lea and Perrins for WS
2. Tabasco
3. Colemans


Most of the long term brands, that didn't bow to line extensions get it right.

I was shocked when a moderator followed a post of mine with a "stick to food" comment on a "shopping and cooking" board when bantering about flatware. Maybe I'm too sensitive <sniff>. I am obviously a newbie to this board, and I guarantee, I've written tons of stuff I deemed unworthy to post. It is often the artists's downfall, that everything has to be so perfect that the product never gets made.

To return to topic, I think Cambells deserves a nod for quality, economy, and consistency. I say this despite having gotten food poisening twice from their products.

And here (a moderator should now post that this discussion should move to the "professional" forum -- but that place is as dead as Latin.) What about Sysco? Haven't these guys cornered the market in restaurant supply? Aren't they responsible for state of the food we eat out more than any other entity?

I'll conclude by repeating myself, and plugging a hometown company, Morton salt.

Progresso for their escarole soup.

Cathy2 wrote:One of my great soda pop loves is Dr. Pepper. There is only one Dr. Pepper bottler who uses cane sugar, which is located in Plano, Texas. SteveZ was kind enough to bring me a bottle, which I have yet to open awaiting a special occasion.

Actually, the bottler is in Dublin, TX and offers tours of its plant, where they still fill returnable glass bottles with original Dr. Pepper. The town is quite proud of its Dr. Pepper connection and has the nickname of Dr. Pepper USA. There is a large vintage billboard that you see when entering the town featuring Pretty Penny Pepper swinging on a mechanical swing enjoying a bottle of Dr. Pepper. They are allowed to sell the original formula Dr. Pepper within a 60 mile redius of Dublin, which puts Dallas & Ft. Worth just outside of their "border". Lot's of people make the pilgramage to Dublin to buy cases and cases of "God's Elixer", as one friend calls it. So much so that one of the biggest sellers in the gift shop is a T-shirt saying something like "Dr. Pepper Bootlegger".

About 2.5 hours away in Dallas is a store called "Ifs, ands & Butts" owned by an interesting guy named Hamilton Rousseau. Besides selling exotic tobacco products from around the world, he has a large inventory of regional and improted soda (including Dublin Dr. Pepper). He also sells Mexican Coke (and Pepsi among others). If you ever look at the ingredients on a Mexican Coke bottle, it says that the Coke is made with corn sweetners. Hamilton told me that they actually use real cane sugar, but are forced to mislabel the bottles because , due to pressure from the sugar lobby, it is illegal to import Coke if it is made with sugar. In addition to the Mexican stuff, he also has some Original Formula Coke (minus the Cocaine) in small glass bottles imported from Holland, which is the only place on earth still using the original formula and bottling techniques (which includes a fair bit more carbonation than the stuff you buy today). I sampled one of the Holland Cokes from the cooler in the store and it really took me back to the Coke of my childhood.

Ifs, Ands & Butts
408 N. Bishop
Dallas TX 75208
214-941-1222
http://www.ifsandsbutts.com

Dublin Dr. Pepper
http://www.dublindrpepper.com

Steve,how do they compare to Cigars and Stripes in Berwyn?

hattyn wrote:Steve,how do they compare to Cigars and Stripes in Berwyn?

Sorry, I've never been to C&S, but the real reason to go to IA&B is for the soda, not necessarily for the cigs (which I didn't really check out, not being a tobacco smoker). Does Cigars & Strips sell soda?

Snickers. No glass. No ice.

Ramon wrote:I was shocked :| when a moderator followed a post of mine with a "stick to food" comment on a "shopping and cooking" board when bantering about flatware.

That's pretty weird. Maybe there's still a moderator here that eats just with his or her fingers, hasn't heard about these new developments?

Claim they're official Weber flatware products, or you used them at Tank Noodle, and I'm sure half the mods will drool over them.