2008.08.07
Picking up the Pace
Those crazy kids over at Pace have launched a new line of salsas and were kind enough to send us samples here in the Features department at The Roanoke Times.
My anal side immediately took over, so I arranged the salsa with chips for taste-testing and passed out score sheets to all of my hapless co-workers. It's another Lunch Ladies, on the cheap! Oh, apologies to Kevin Kittredge, the one dude who did take part in the test.
Here are the results of our unscientific poll:
Pace Pico de Gallo
Company description: "Inspired by the classic, with chunks of hand-picked jalapenos, onions, and diced tomatoes and a touch of fresh cilantro."
Average score (out of 5): 3.1
Comments: "Strangely sweet and sour with a hot aftertaste. Very chunky."
"Not like the real, fresh thing, but pretty spicy."
"A little tangy and sweet."
"Not bad for factory salsa"
"Average restaurant-style salsa."
Pace Salsa Verde
Company description: "Hand-selected jalapenos and chunks of tomatillos, seasoned with a splash of lime and spiked with smoked Spanish paprika."
Average score: 2.4
Comments: "Too vinegary, but I'm not a fan of salsa verde to begin with."
"Weird smoky flavor. Good spice."
"The smokiness is nice. It has a nice heat. There's a strange canned aftertaste."
"Can't get past that pukey color."
"Kind of bland and a little bitter, but probably good on a taco."
Pace Three Pepper Salsa
Company description: "A bold, rich salsa featuring green chili, serrano and guajillo peppers."
Average score: 2.9
Comments: "The smoothest - and hottest - of them all. I'd buy this one."
"Thick like tomato sauce, but very spicy. I like that part."
"The consistency is odd - it is thick and pasty, pureed-like. But the flavor is nice. Very spicy."
"Ketchup with pepper."
"A little too tomatoey for me."
Pace Mexican Four Cheese Salsa Con Queso
Company description: "This Queso is packed with four distinctive cheeses -- Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Blanco. Add a blend of jalapenos, sweet red peppers and onion and the result is extraordinary flavor."
Average score: 2.75 (note: this is out of 4, because one tester is allergic to dairy products)
Comments: "Surprisingly tasty for cheese in a bottle."
"Not much taste."
"Creamy and cheesy without that canned taste. I can definitely tell there are several different cheeses in this. Better than any canned/jarred queso dip I've ever tried."
"Cheese salsa? Please."
Pace Tequila Lime Salsa
Average score: 2.4
Comments: "Something about the taste reminded me of baby food. Weird. It could be the squash puree listed in the ingredients."
"Not very tequila-flavored."
"Nice. Different. A good substitute for the usual red salsa."
"No comment."
I noticed at my Kroger that these salsas are going for about $3.69 each. If anyone has an occasion to pick one up and try it, we'd love to hear whether you agree or disagree with our general perceptions.
I have the Salsa Verde in my fridge now. I like the heat, but I agree with the tasters who said it's a little bitter, and it's definitely a pukey color. I used to get a fresh kind at Fresh Market that was much much better.
Comment by Debbie — August 7, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
I haven't seen/tried any of these new Pace salsas, I'll give them a try if I get the chance. You want a good salsa off of the shelf at a store? Try a jar of Herdez Salsa Casera, hot. You can get the mild, med., and hot at Kroger, mild and med. only at Wal-Mart, last time I checked. This is salsa in a jar from the store, but I think that it's REALLY good! Better than any of the others that I've tried.
Comment by Dennis — August 7, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
I recently purchased the Three Pepper version, and I think it will now be my staple salsa. I've been looking for something that spicy that isn't overpowering (though I usually like overpowering hot sauce on some stuff, but not my chips). I also like the salsa's consistency, it's not too chunky, and I don't like huge chunks in my salsa (I may as well eat the actual ingredients by themselves if that's the case, right?). Very pleased with this new salsa from Pace!
Comment by Josh — August 8, 2008 @ 9:45 am