The Wirecutter Show
Episode: Summer Taste Test Extravaganza!
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clissette, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Garant
Producer: Rosie Guerin
Introduction
In the vibrant summer edition of The Wirecutter Show, hosts Christine Cyr Clissette, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Garant embark on a delightful journey through the quintessential summer staples: ketchup, potato chips, and ice cream sandwiches. This episode, aptly titled "Summer Taste Test Extravaganza!", delves deep into product testing, expert insights, and candid taste evaluations to help listeners make informed decisions on these beloved condiments and treats.
Ketchup Taste Test
Exploring the World of Ketchup
The segment kicks off with an in-depth exploration of ketchup, a staple in many American households. Associate writer Antara Sinha teams up with Rachel Wharton, an expert from Wirecutter’s kitchen team, to unpack the nuances of selecting the perfect ketchup.
Selection Process and Expert Insights
Rachel Wharton reveals the meticulous process behind their ketchup guide. “We really decided to narrow it down to classic ketchup. Nothing flavored or artisanal or local, and specifically to ketchups you can get at grocery stores around the country,” she explains (03:31). Despite the vast variety available, the team concentrated on 13 different ketchups, including feedback from children to capture diverse palates.
Key Criteria for a Great Ketchup
The duo highlights the fundamentals of what makes a ketchup stand out:
- Flavor Balance: “We want it to be acidic, tart, sweet, punchy, a really pronounced tomato flavor, but not overly stewy or tinny,” Rachel elaborates (04:34).
- Texture: Smooth and homogenous with a glossy appearance, ensuring it clings well to fries without excessive water separation (04:50).
- Clinging Ability: A crucial test involved how well the ketchup sticks to fries during a dip test (05:05).
Historical and Cultural Context
Rachel delves into the American dominance of ketchup, tracing its origins from a preserved fish product in China to its American incarnation. She also touches on the political implications, such as its use in school lunches during the Reagan administration as a vegetable substitute (05:32).
Taste Testing and Results
Antara and Rachel conduct a blind taste test of three selected ketchups:
- Trader Joe's Organic Ketchup: Praised for its complex, pronounced tomato flavor without the high fructose corn syrup found in many mainstream brands.
- Whole Foods 365 Ketchup: Noted for its sweetness, making it a versatile option for those looking to enhance their culinary creations.
- Heinz Classic Ketchup: The ultimate crowd-pleaser, maintaining its status as the benchmark despite varied tastes.
Conclusion and Top Pick
Antara Sinha expresses a surprising preference for Trader Joe's Organic Ketchup over the classic Heinz, citing its richer tomato flavor and lower sweetness (11:19). Rachel Wharton concurs, emphasizing Heinz’s consistent quality and universal appeal (11:12).
“Heinz ketchup on our palate is ketchup, and everything else is a deviation from that.” — Rachel Wharton (07:05)
Potato Chips Taste Test
Diving into the Crunch
Transitioning seamlessly, Kyra Blackwell joins Rachel Saracola, a senior staff writer with a master's degree in food studies, to assess the ever-popular potato chips. Their goal: determine the best plain and kettle-cooked chips in the market.
Selection and Testing Methodology
Rachel Saracola outlines the rigorous selection process, involving:
- Extensive Selection: Testing around 70 different chips to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
- Blind Tasting: Chips were tasted without brand identification to eliminate bias.
- Defect Elimination: Initial screenings removed any chips with rancid oil or off flavors (14:02).
Testing Criteria
Key aspects assessed included:
- Texture and Crispness: Ensuring a satisfying crunch without being overly greasy.
- Flavor Balance: Striking the right amount of salt and natural potato flavor without overpowering additives.
- Visual Appeal: Uniformity in color and absence of defects like green spots or excess oil.
Surprising Findings
Rachel shares unexpected insights, such as the prevalence of defects in kettle-cooked and international brands, challenging the assumption that premium or foreign chips inherently taste better (16:02).
“We were surprised that the things we thought would be the most beloved actually turned out to be the least good.” — Rachel Saracola (15:32)
Taste Testing and Results
Kyra bravely samples three distinct chips:
- Amazon Fresh Potato Chips: Emerges as the top pick, celebrated for their balanced flavor and perfect texture.
- Clancy's from Aldi: Favored by salt enthusiasts for its robust saltiness and delightful roastiness.
- Deep River Kettle Chips: While a solid choice, they didn't resonate as strongly as expected compared to the other picks.
Conclusion and Top Pick
Amazon Fresh Potato Chips claim the crown for their superior taste and consistency, much to the hosts' delight. Rachel highlights the brand's excellence in mass production without compromising on quality (19:39).
“They taste really good.” — Rachel Saracola (19:39)
Ice Cream Sandwiches Taste Test
A Frozen Delight
The final segment features Rosie Garant and Marguerite Preston exploring the realm of ice cream sandwiches. With a focus on both dairy and non-dairy options, the team aims to identify the ultimate frozen treat for summer.
Selection Process
Christine Cyr Clissette discusses the selection strategy, ensuring a mix of nine dairy and three non-dairy ice cream sandwiches. The emphasis was on classic chocolate wafer and vanilla ice cream combinations, avoiding overly flavored or complex varieties to maintain consistency in testing (21:42).
Testing Criteria
Essential elements evaluated included:
- Flavor Harmony: The balance between the chocolatey cookie and the creamy vanilla ice cream.
- Texture: Ensuring the cookies are soft enough to meld with the ice cream without becoming soggy, and the ice cream maintains a creamy consistency without being overly airy or hard.
- Stickiness: Optimal "stickage" to prevent the sandwich from disintegrating during consumption (22:16).
Taste Testing and Results
Rosie tastes three different ice cream sandwiches:
- Whole Foods 365 Ice Cream Sandwich: Emerges as the top pick, praised for its perfect balance of ice cream to cookie and authentic vanilla flavor.
- Alden's Organic Ice Cream Sandwich: Appreciated for its real vanilla taste and smooth texture, making it a favorite for self-indulgence.
- Fat Boy Classic Brand: Noted for its substantial ice cream filling and rich flavor, though deemed too heavy for some preferences.
Conclusion and Top Pick
Whole Foods 365 stands out as the unanimous favorite, offering a nostalgic yet elevated ice cream sandwich experience. The hosts commend its consistency and satisfying texture, making it the go-to choice for both kids and adults.
“It was everything you wanted. The right consistency, the right distribution of ice cream to cookie.” — Rosie Garant (30:53)
Wrap-Up: Participants' Reactions and Final Thoughts
As the episode concludes, the hosts share their personal favorites and reflections on the taste tests:
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Kyra Blackwell appreciates the complexity of Trader Joe's ketchup but notes a personal need for higher salt levels in potato chips.
“I’ve learned that I have a problem, and it’s that I think I eat too much salt.” — Kyra Blackwell (29:01)
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Antara Sinha is pleasantly surprised by her preference for Trader Joe's ketchup over the classic Heinz, valuing its pronounced tomato flavor (29:35).
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Rosie Garant expresses satisfaction with the Whole Foods 365 ice cream sandwich, highlighting its perfect balance and nostalgic appeal (30:44).
Notable Quotes
- “We really decided to narrow it down to classic ketchup.” — Rachel Wharton (03:31)
- “Ketchup should count as a vegetable.” — Rachel Wharton (05:56)
- “We knocked out anything that had defects.” — Rachel Saracola (14:02)
- “We really were doing something right when everyone’s like, this is the one.” — Rachel Wharton (07:05)
- “I think I'm going with the Trader Joe's.” — Antara Sinha (11:19)
Conclusion
The Wirecutter Show's Summer Taste Test Extravaganza! offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of popular summer staples. Through expert insights, rigorous testing, and honest evaluations, the hosts provide listeners with valuable recommendations to elevate their culinary experiences this summer. Whether it's selecting the perfect ketchup, crunching into the best potato chips, or indulging in the ultimate ice cream sandwich, this episode ensures that every bite counts.
For more detailed reviews and additional product coverage, visit Wirecutter's website and check out their accompanying YouTube videos showcasing the scientific methods behind their tests.