Deli Meats You Should Buy And Others To Skip Entirely
NEWS
By KATIE MELYNN
Skip: Castle Wood Reserve
While Castle Wood Reserve makes quality deli meat, it costs about $10 for a pound of ham. You can find something just as good for a much better price.
The taste and texture of the meat are fine, but the slices are irregularly shaped. It's slightly sweet but devoid of salty or peppery flavor.
Buy: Land O' Frost
Each piece of ham in Land O' Frost's Black Forest Uncured Ham was thick-sliced and not watery, which made it work well on a classic ham and cheese sandwich.
It has the signature salty taste expected from ham but with a bit more seasoning for a deeper flavor. Its resealable package may leak slightly if placed upside down in the fridge.
Skip: Applegate Farms
When Applegate Farms ham was compared in a side-by-side taste test, its flavor and texture were not as good as other brands. Its texture also feels rubbery.
The Black Forest Uncured Ham slices are thick but not very flexible, making them hard to use on a sandwich. They're also expensive and the pricing is different from store to store.
Buy: Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's deli meat is a great buy, mainly due to its taste, texture, ingredients, and price. It's also free of hormones, preservatives, nitrates, and nitrites.
Its Black Forest Uncured Ham isn't too salty but has ample seasoning, offering a rich flavor. Each slice is easy to fold and comes out of the package with minimal tearing.
Skip: Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer deli ham is a far cry from the brand's famous bologna or the hot dogs. It has a lot of additives and a texture that is a bit heavy on the water.
Its Deli Fresh Black Forest Uncured Ham has added caramel coloring, extra sugars, and corn syrup. The meat is so liquidy that it can make the bread too moist.