-By Phil Lempert

Editor's Note: Products that receive an 85 or above will be considered a hit, and those that receive 95 and above will be "rising stars."


Starkist Albacore Creations Tomato Pesto Flavor
We were very pleasantly surprised by the nice fresh taste of this new tuna product from Starkist. Thanks to the pouch packaging that allows the fish to be packaged closer to the time it's caught as opposed to the lengthy canning process, the flavor's actually very good -- which we weren't really expecting after a look at the ingredients list. From a taste standpoint, this is a very good product. We're not too thrilled about the sodium, oil content and additives, but it is good value, and we love the country-of-origin labeling. Available in other flavors. Retails for $1.99/4 oz.




Beehive Cheese Company Barely Buzzed
This gourmet, handcrafted cheese is an incredible taste experience for any cheese lover out there. In place of the rind, there is a coating of coffee grounds and lavender pressed into the cheese with canola oil, creating a delectable result. The taste of coffee is subtle yet apparent at first bite, with a mellow, floral hint from the lavender. It's like two cheeses in one -- at the rind, the stronger coffee flavor gives a smoky depth, while in the center, the tart flavor of the artisanal cheese has the merest hint of coffee. Our only suggestion for improvement would be an organic version. Available in other flavors. Retails for $20/lb.




Mix 1 Protein and Antioxidant Drink Tangerine Flavor
Here's the problem we have with Mix 1: On the package, they talk about their co-founder "dr james" who developed the line of protein drinks, but who is this James and what exactly is he a doctor of? It's only when you go to the Web site that you eventually discover that Dr James Rouse is a licensed naturopathic doctor (but not an MD). Health Marketing 101: BE UPFRONT; we just wish we could have been given his full name and background somewhere on the label. We like this company's relaxed style, but consumers demand (and deserve) details. Unlike so many others in this genre, this product actually tastes GREAT, with a nice, clean tangerine flavor and none of the usual "off" aroma of whey-based drinks. Available in other flavors. Retails for $2/11 oz.




MaraNatha Almond Butter Crunchy
Frankly we're confused by this new product from MaraNatha, and here's why. Nut butters are a staple at the health food store and are starting to become more mainstream (not counting peanut, of course), and MaraNatha is purportedly a healthful brand. So why on earth did they choose palm oil as the third ingredient in this almond butter instead of something more healthful? Palm oil is controversial due to its high saturated fat content and possible cholesterol-raising or artery-clogging factors. It also contains high levels of beneficial oleic acid -- so its health status is still up for debate -- but we think there are better options for more reasons than this one. We withheld judgment until after tasting, of course, but here's the second reason: First you taste sweetened, crunchy almonds and then the overpowering and long-lingering palm oil flavor takes over -- which is somehow reminiscent of the deep fat fryer. Way to ruin good almond butter! Available in crunchy or smooth. Retails for $5.99–$7.99/12 oz.




Flat Earth Baked Veggie Crisps Garlic and Herb Field Flavor
Firstly, we have to say that any product that uses the word "field" in the flavor name had better be great to overcome the scary dirt associations that come to mind. Thankfully, this product not only measures up, but also makes a field seem pretty tasty! The taste is great and there's no artificial aroma. A lot of chips have an aftertaste that's not altogether pleasant, but there's not a hint of it here; and the chips are nice and crispy. One criticism, which is not directed at these specific chips, but chips in general, is that we just wish they had zip-locked packaging for extended freshness. Available in other flavors. Retails for $2.99/6 oz.




Gezellig by 40 Park Lane Champagne–Honey Mustard
We like the taste of this mustard; not as sweet as your typical honey mustard, and the Champagne adds a nice depth to the flavor. After looking at the ingredients, we were a little confused about "Champagne-Honey." So we asked the company, and it is actually Champagne and Clover Honey. We wish they would clarify the ingredient list. We want consumers to get as much information as possible -- and with a nice simple ingredient list like this one, this company has nothing to hide. It also helps explain the high price of this item, which although "Hand Crafted" is not organic, and needs some justification for the $7.99 price -- must be all the Champagne! Available in other flavors. Retails for $7.99/9 oz.




Private Harvest Simmering Sauce Orange Dijon Flavor
These simmering sauces from Private Harvest are packaged in an attractive tall and narrow glass bottle -- very appealing until you try and coerce the separated ingredients back together and get a bicep workout in the process. The next hurdle is getting the plastic wrapping around the cap off as it doesn't have the usual perforated tab. Ok, now that we've actually opened the bottle, the aroma is much more vinegar than orange, but it does taste like orange marmalade. There are two reasons we were disappointed with the product; the first is that the first ingredient is high-fructose corn syrup; and the second is that the nutritional analysis is hugely misleading as it states a serving size is 1 tablespoon for a product that instructs you to use the ENTIRE bottle ... so just go ahead and multiply all the nutritional info by 23 (the number of servings in a bottle) and you'll be getting the right info (and 690 calories). Available in other flavors. Retails for $8.50/11.4 oz.




LaLoo's Goat Milk Ice Cream Company Rumplemint Chocolate Chip Flavor
When we first tasted LaLoo's a couple of years ago, we were impressed with how this company was trying to expand the market for goat's milk-based products, and this latest Rumplemint flavor is a fabulous addition that could easily compete with any full-fat cow's milk ice cream. According to the package: "Goat milk ice cream is easy to digest and can be enjoyed by many people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow milk products." We still love this company -- keep those yummy flavors coming! Available in other flavors and frozen yogurt. Retails for $6.99/pint.




Weaver's Coffee and Tea The Blend Coffee Beans
You might already know this, but we'll say it anyway: WE LOVE COFFEE (check out our newsletter Coffee Chat News if you don't believe us). And when we first received our package of Weaver's, we instantly noticed the rich aroma that was powerful enough to even make its way through the vacuum-sealed bag. Typically, coffee varieties that have any kind of "blend" reference in their name make us wary right off the bat; however, this was one of the best cups of coffee we've ever had. Needless to say, the actual recipe is proprietorial, but Weaver's did divulge that this blend contains seven of John Weaver, the master roaster's favorite beans that have been roasted at three different temperatures. Hmmm, very mysterious; something to ponder as you sip. The only improvement we could even think of would be Fair Trade Certification; as long as that delicious taste isn't affected. Other varieties available. Retails for $14.99/16 oz.




Wholemato Organic Agave Ketchup
This is a great new product from Wholemato -- finally a more healthful option in the condiment aisle. We like the taste of this organic ketchup a whole lot, but the only problem we think the makers of this product might encounter is that the consistency is not what people, especially kids, might be expecting; it's a much thicker product -- which we actually prefer -- and is much richer and darker in color -- which we also prefer. We're just not sure if it will convert users of conventional ketchups that are loaded with high-fructose corn syrup to this superior product. Retails for $4.99/13 oz.



Philip Lempert has gained wide acclaim for his marketing savvy and broad experience. A distinguished speaker, exclusively represented by the Washington Speakers Bureau, he has addressed over 600,000 people over the past 10 years, and is a respected analyst with an uncanny ability to identify and explain trends to both industry and consumers in a thought-provoking and entertaining manner. You can contact him directly at Plempert@supermarketguru.com.