Reader Food Panel: New Rice-A-Roni blends draw poor ratings
If you ever have The Spokesman-Review Food Panel over for dinner, you may want to pass on the Rice-A-Roni.
The San Francisco Treat’s new Savory Whole Grain Blends offerings were torpedoed by our tasters in rather stark terms. All three of the flavors sampled – Spanish, Roasted Garlic Italiano and Chicken and Herb Classico – scored two stars or fewer for taste and value.
The new varieties use whole-grain brown rice, instead of white rice, with the familiar blend of orzo pasta and spices. One flavor – the Chicken and Herb Classico – also includes pearled barley and wheat.
The brown rice and other whole grains were welcomed by a couple of tasters, but overall were overshadowed by the taste, which nearly sent the panel running for the door.
The Classico “has a bizarre, unpleasant taste,” said Andy Hoye. “Something is very wrong here.”
Peggy Kazanis, trying to place the flavor, came up with diesel fuel.
The word “chemical” showed up in many reactions: “Chemicals are good; after all, everything is made up of various combinations of the atomic chart,” Tina Johnson said of the Spanish flavor. “But I don’t necessarily want my food to taste like a lab experiment.”
“Looks fancy, tastes ordinary,” said Skip Hubbard of the Roasted Garlic Italiano.
To be fair, the products weren’t universally reviled by the panel. Hubbard gave the Spanish variety four stars for flavor, saying the “slight tomato flavor goes nicely with the subtle spices.” And Johnson gave four stars to the Classico out of enthusiasm for the pearled barley.
Those high marks, though, weren’t enough to overcome the negative response of the other tasters.
“Avoid this at all cost,” said Hoye of the Classico.
Rice-a-Roni Savory Whole Grains Blends: Spanish
Price: $1.29 for a 4.6-ounce package.
Yield: 2.5 servings
Approximate nutrition per serving: 250 calories, 8 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 24 percent fat calories), 5 grams protein, 42 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams dietary fiber, no cholesterol, 760 milligrams sodium.
Taste: ““
Value: ““
Comments: “El Cheapo Spanish rice in a box.” – Marilyn Moore
“In my years of food tasting, I’ve never declared anything inedible. This almost classified.” – Larry Inman
“OK, but not outstanding.” – Andy Hoye
Rice-a-Roni Savory Whole Grains Blends: Roasted Garlic Italiano
Price: $1.29 for a 4-ounce package
Yield: 2 servings
Approximate nutrition per serving: 270 calories, 9 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 30 percent fat calories), 6 grams protein, 41 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams dietary fiber, no cholesterol, 760 milligrams sodium.
Taste: ““
Value: ““
Comments: “Tolerable. If you’re really hungry. And there’s nothing else around to eat.” – Larry Inman
“Unremarkable in every way.” – Andy Hoye
“I like this one. Slightly greasy, though.” – Vicky Deschaine
Rice-a-Roni Savory Whole Grains Blends: Chicken and Herb Classico
Price: $1.29 for a 3.8-ounce package
Yield: 2 servings
Approximate nutrition per serving: 260 calories, 8 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 27 percent fat calories), 6 grams protein, 41 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams dietary fiber, no cholesterol, 760 milligrams sodium.
Taste: “ 1/2
Value: ““
Comments: “Wow, now that’s an odd taste. Makes me think it’s some sort of chemical, but I can’t quite figure out which one.” – Skip Hubbard
“Avoid this at all cost.” – Andy Hoye
“Wow! This is really different. Barley … is really a nice change.” – Tina Johnson