Sometimes the coolest antidote to summertime heat is a sweet, icy sorbet, one of several hot-weather treats in the supermarket frozen-food aisle.
“Sorbet” is French for “sherbet.” But while sorbet and sherbet both possess a creamy texture, sorbet does not contain the dairy products used to make sherbet. If anything, sorbet is closer to granita, though that product usually has a grainier texture.
Dieters like sorbet because it’s relatively low in calories compared to ice cream (about 130 calories per 1/2-cup serving) and, unlike ice cream, it’s fat-free.
We chose five supermarket brands starring the refreshing flavor of lemon. Judges looked for a smooth texture as well as a true flavor that balanced sweet and tart. The winner, Edy’s Whole Fruit sorbet, was chosen for its lemony tang and ice cream-like texture. Two private-label brands, Safeway Select from Dominick’s and President’s Choice from Jewel, placed second and third, respectively.
Products were judged on a score of 1 to 9, with 9 being highest. Prices are based on what we paid for them at the supermarket and may reflect sales or discounts from frequent-shopper cards.
Here’s the rundown, with tasters’ comments:
And the winners are . . .
1. Edy’s Whole Fruit Sorbet (5.9 points, 11/2 pints, $3.09; 13 cents per ounce). “Sweet, lemony, refreshing.” “Smooth as ice cream.” “Not tart enough, but good, subtle flavor.”
Others tasted
2. Safeway Select Sorbet (5.4 points; 1 pint, $2.49; 16 cents per ounce). “Good combination of tart and sweet.” “Light lemon flavor.” “Creamy but a bit gummy.”
3. President’s Choice Sorbet (5.3 points; 1 pint, $2.99; 19 cents per ounce). “Clean finish.” “Creamy and smooth.” “Too sweet; not balanced.”
4. Haagen-Dazs Sorbet (4 points; 1 pint, $3.69; 23 cents per ounce). “Perfumed; a bit strong and sweet.” “Slightly grainy.” “Excellent texture.”
5. Cascadian Farms Organic Sorbet (3.3 points; 1 pint, $2.99; 19 cents per ounce). “Lemony with bitter aftertaste.” “Cardboard taste.” “Nice sweet-sour balance.”
