The Gelatin Challenge: Orange

Jello (J) vs. Great Value (GV) (Wal-mart house brand)

J: orange: appropriate consistency: smooth flavor, orange, almost a touch mild, but consistent and lasting through each spoon. Sweet, almost candy-like; just can’t place the flavor.

Color is a shade light of orange.

GV: orange: appropriate consistency: variable flavor, near empty to a slightly chalky, tart orange reminicent of Vitamin C chewables. The tart is late to the taste, and subsides moderately (quicker than J, but not abruptly). Tart, akin to the spray of an orange peel bent backwards, but not as robust: a 2D projection of that 3D flavor.

Color is a shade dark of orange.

With J being the definition, GV is about 80% of the way there. GV seems to taste like an old J recipe/blend; and with that, GV tastes like it has less sugar and more “orange flavor” despite the Nutrition Information being the same. The GV ingredients list seems cleaner. For flavor, J wins mainly due to flavor smoothness and consistency through each spoonful; GV is more sudden in the flavor coming on and again upon leaving/finishing.

But GV for $0.38 versus J for $0.52 … GV wins. A good compromise would be a blend (GV:J): 1:1 (for 4cups) or 3:1 (for 8cups) depending on the quantity made. Will post the results of that test.

NEXT EPISODE: Lime, and then cherry. Separately, not blended. The blend coming up is the J:lemon+lime, but the aforementioned qualification has prompted a cherry+lime test soon!