Reader Food Panel: Bites ‘bland,’ ‘weird’

Let’s just say the reader food panel tasters didn’t think much of the new MorningStar Farms veggie bites.

In fact, Skip Hubbard was the only one who said something remotely nice about the assortment of breaded snacks we served them. “Mild mushroom flavor encased in a crunchy crust. Not a bad appetizer,” he said of the Mushroom Mozzarella version.

No one else agreed with him. Most of the comments were more along the lines of Tina Johnson’s assessment.

“Icky, icky, icky,” she said. “On your tongue, the breading feels like dry flour. What the heck is inside this thing?”

Nancy Robinson agreed. “No taste. Unidentifiable toasted thing. I don’t even want to know what this is.”

Each of the veggie bites flavors received a two-star rating. Tasters were especially flummoxed by the Eggs Florentine bites.

“Processed eggs continue to puzzle the ‘convenience’ food industry. Others have tried and failed, also. Nice try though.” Hubbard said.

High school student Gabe Kohler was not as forgiving. “I really don’t know what they were trying to accomplish. These are just weird.”

A few tasters admitted they came closer to liking the Spinach Artichoke flavor bites than anything else on their plates. But they still recommended approaching the new nuggets with caution.

“Grease, grease, spinach, cheese? More grease,” Vicki Deschaine said.

Andy Hoye summed up the feelings about the Spinach Artichoke flavor, and perhaps all of the bites, with a single line: “Fully repugnant in all ways.”

MorningStar Farms Mushroom Mozzarella Veggie Bites

Price: $3.99 per 9-ounce box

Nutrition per serving (3 pieces): 190 calories, 10 grams fat (2.5 grams saturated, 47 percent fat calories), 9 grams protein, 16 grams carbohydrate, 10 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 550 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “

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Comments: “Even if they had a definable flavor, these will go right to your arteries – stay away.” – Andy Hoye

“I’m thinking that’s a mushroom in the middle, but that isn’t backed up by the taste. There is no flavor here.” – Peggy Kazanis

“Funky texture and really almost disturbing flavor. The breading is overpowering and the flavor is bland.” – Gabe Kohler

MorningStar Farms Eggs Florentine Veggie Bites

Price: $3.99 per 9-ounce box

Nutrition per serving: 180 calories, 8 grams fat (2 grams saturated, 40 percent fat calories), 10 grams protein, 17 grams carbohydrate, 15 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 560 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “

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Comments: “I’m not sure what the little yellow chunks are, but I do see a hint of broccoli.” – Peggy Kazanis

“Don’t eat this if you can’t identify it and I can’t.” – Nancy Robinson

“No resemblance to egg except for color,” Jenny Whittaker

MorningStar Farms Spinach Artichoke Veggie Bites

Price: $3.99 per 9-ounce box

Nutrition per serving: 190 calories, 10 grams fat (2.5 grams saturated, 47 percent fat calories), 9 grams protein, 16 grams carbohydrate, 10 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 570 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “

Value: “ “

Comments: “Greasy, soggy, bland. I would not eat this nor would I feed it to someone else. Yuck!” – Gabe Kohler

“No! No! No! A thousand times no!” – Larry Inman

“Of the three, this one was the closest to being real. Greasy, I’m sure they would be better dipped in come creamy, high-fat dressing.” – Jenny Whittaker