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Fruit Flavored Waters Smell Good, Lack Taste

Rick Bonino Food Editor

In the food world, “new” and “improved” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Take the Cascade Clear bottled water from Burlington, Wash. The company recently reformulated its noncarbonated Fruit Refreshers line to make it “less sweet (and) lighter tasting,” and added a few new flavors.

Cherry Watermelon, the one we served to The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel, was a little too light for their tastes. While some praised the aroma, most found the flavor fleeting - although, as one panelist pointed out, “A pint of gin, and this could be a winner!”

Cascade Clear Refresher, Cherry Watermelon

Price: 85 cents for 20 ounces.

Nutrition: 70 calories (no fat); 380 milligrams sodium per 1-cup serving.

Taste: **

Value: *

Comments: “Aroma is wow! But flavor falls flat before you can swallow it. Really a letdown.” - Beverly Smick

“Has a chalky aftertaste. Right amount of sweetness, yet not refreshing. Tastes, smells, looks like cotton candy.” - Beth Kowal

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared 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 from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared 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 from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.