A blind taste test contrasting popular frozen crab cakes retailed in the United States garnered Publix, SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Company, and Trader Joe’s top marks from the contest’s panel of judges.
Organized and carried out by Florida’s Tampa Bay Times, the blind taste test compiled recommendations from four judges regarding the frozen crab cakes they preferred out of six choices, based only on taste. Publix Premium crab cakes (USD 7.99, EUR 7.05 for a 6-ounce package) were the highest-ranked product, followed by SeaPak’s Crab Cakes (USD 7.99, EUR 7.05 for an 8-ounce package from Publix) and Trader Joe’s crab cakes (USD 7.99, EUR 7.05 for a 6-ounce package).
Other products tested by the panel of judges included: Shaw's Southern Belle (USD 7.99 [EUR 7.05] for a 12-ounce package from Publix); Ocean Cafe (USD 9.99 [EUR 8.82] for a 17-ounce package from Winn-Dixie); and Gorton's (USD 6.49 [EUR 5.73] for a 6-ounce package from Winn-Dixie).
“We found six brands of frozen crab cakes in grocery store freezers and prepared them according to package directions. All of the options could go right from the freezer to the heat and onto a plate. Judges figured these would be a perfect choice for a quick dinner on a hot summer evening,” the judges' panel said in the article.
Bob Devin Jones, artistic director at Studio@620; John Hehn, foodie and owner of All Brite Lighting & Power Design Inc.; Janet Keeler, assistant professor of journalism at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg; and Kay Hodnett, personal chef, all sat on the judge’s panel.
