Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Espresso-Roast Coffee Is Good, But It’s Still Just A Cup Of Coffee

Rick Bonino Food Editor

Maxwell House bills its Italian Espresso Roast Coffee as “the first nationally available espresso-roast coffee” that can be brewed in a conventional coffee maker.

The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel thought it was pretty good compared to other canned coffees, but still a far cry from authentic espresso.

Call it a case of too little, too latte.

Maxwell House Italian Espresso Roast Coffee

Price: $3.19 for 11.5 ounces.

Nutrition: No nutrition information provided.

Taste: ***

Value: ***

Comments: “Hard to tell what they’re going for here - real strong coffee or real weak espresso.” - Jim Eggers.

“They missed the point that espresso and coffee are two different things … If you are a true espresso drinker, save it for the drive-up window.” - Madilyn Hutchison Foco.

After the rude reception that panel members gave to Greenfield Healthy Foods fat-free brownies last summer (sample comment: “Looks like a fig newton - dry - crusty - yuck!”), we were a bit hesitant to offer them Greenfield’s new nonfat cookies.

But the iced cookies, which come in Double Chocolate Lace, Dutch Apple and Oatmeal Raisin, were a pleasant surprise flavor-wise - although the soft texture and high price tag ($2.69 for 10 cookies) turned off some tasters.

Greenfield Healthy Foods Cookies

Price: $2.69 for 6.4 ounces.

Nutrition: 60 calories (no fat); 40 milligrams sodium per cookie.

Taste: ***

Value: *

Comments: “Nice spices. The frosting is a little crunchy, but the cookies were really good!” - Sandi Kessler.

“Good flavor, sweet and chewy. Very nice for nonfat, but expensive.” - Sandy Davidson.

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared in a test kitchen according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared in a test kitchen according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.