Central Market, announces the "revealing" of dozens of products under it's own brand name. By the end of the year they should have more than 200.
Has anyone tried these various products? Any comments?
I buy their unsalted European style (82% butterfat) butter all the time at HEB and I like it very much. I wonder if any of those new products will be available at HEB as well. I will try some when I get a chance.
Elie
Central Market's Brand Name Products
Started by
FoodMan
, Jan 27 2005 09:56 AM
98 replies to this topic
#2
nacho
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 12:28 PM
I've tried a few of them and have liked each product a lot! Very impressed. So here goes my input:
CM Italian Sparkling Mineral Water: I'm no expert on the sparkling water, but I bought these at $.99 for a 1 Liter (I think), and they were good.
CM Italian Sodas: I've tried the blood orange soda, and it was amazing. I had to try hard not to drink the whole bottle after finishing my first glass of this stuff. They also have a Lemonade that I bought but have not tried yet. I think these were in the $2.50 to $3.50 range, but not certain.
CM Strawberry Preserves: I love strawberry preserves, so I bought a bottle of this. I tried it last night and it was good. I'm not sure if it's my new favorite yet, however.
CM Soy, Corn, and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips: Man, are these tasty! They are definitely my new favorite chip (old fave was Blue Chips). They have a nice nutty hint to them, and not too much salt. There were other varieties of tortilla chips as well, but this was the only one I've tried so far.
The products are packaged in attractive clean white labels with green accents and text, which gives them a very gourmet look. I think they are going to do very well.
CM Italian Sparkling Mineral Water: I'm no expert on the sparkling water, but I bought these at $.99 for a 1 Liter (I think), and they were good.
CM Italian Sodas: I've tried the blood orange soda, and it was amazing. I had to try hard not to drink the whole bottle after finishing my first glass of this stuff. They also have a Lemonade that I bought but have not tried yet. I think these were in the $2.50 to $3.50 range, but not certain.
CM Strawberry Preserves: I love strawberry preserves, so I bought a bottle of this. I tried it last night and it was good. I'm not sure if it's my new favorite yet, however.
CM Soy, Corn, and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips: Man, are these tasty! They are definitely my new favorite chip (old fave was Blue Chips). They have a nice nutty hint to them, and not too much salt. There were other varieties of tortilla chips as well, but this was the only one I've tried so far.
The products are packaged in attractive clean white labels with green accents and text, which gives them a very gourmet look. I think they are going to do very well.
#3
irodguy
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 12:52 PM
I've tried a few of them and have liked each product a lot! Very impressed. So here goes my input:
CM Italian Sodas: I've tried the blood orange soda, and it was amazing. I had to try hard not to drink the whole bottle after finishing my first glass of this stuff. They also have a Lemonade that I bought but have not tried yet. I think these were in the $2.50 to $3.50 range, but not certain.
Yep the darn blood orange is addicting. Since they started selling it a bottle has never lasted me more than one day.
Never trust a skinny chef
#4
RebeccaT
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 01:26 PM
I bought the Organic Microwave Popcorn on my last visit, and I LOVE it! None of the fakey taste, or weird texture that feels like it's coating your mouth that the regular Micro Popcorn has. No transfats either. I am definitely hooked.
The Lemonade Italian Soda was great, and I totally agree on the Blood Orange flavor... addictive.
The Lemonade Italian Soda was great, and I totally agree on the Blood Orange flavor... addictive.
#5
elion_84
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 01:51 PM
We have completely switched over to CM European Style Butter. It's much much better than land-o-lakes we used to get. Also, last time we got their CM Organic Milk because it seems to have longer expiration.
#6
FoodMan
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 04:47 PM
Great input y'all. I know I have to try the blood orange soda now!! I much prefer their butter over LOL as well. It tastes better and it is only about 30 cents more or sometimes the same price as LOL.
Elie
Elie
E. Nassar
Houston, TX
My Blog
contact: enassar(AT)gmail(DOT)com
#7
fifi
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 05:03 PM
Even better . . . I am seeing more and more CM brands at the HEBs. I get the butter there. They are also starting to carry some of the non-CM brands that you used to be able to get only at CM.
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#8
irodguy
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Posted 27 January 2005 - 09:40 PM
I second the cm European butter. Great for baking.
I am having blood orange italian soda withdrawl. I meant to make it to Central Market today..... but just didn't make it.
I am having blood orange italian soda withdrawl. I meant to make it to Central Market today..... but just didn't make it.
Never trust a skinny chef
#9
pkenna
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Posted 28 January 2005 - 01:35 PM
I third (4th/5th?) the European butter. It's my favorite brand at the moment.This is the 1st Ive heard of the blood orange soda....now I must have it!!
looks like an extra stop on the way home is going to be necessary.....
#10
fifi
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Posted 28 January 2005 - 02:52 PM
I just returned from my local HEB, not one of the real biggies, and I have good news. They had the blood orange soda as well as other flavors. I also noted in passing several other CM brands of salsa, chips and applesauce. That is just what I saw in passing. I didn't take the time to go looking. I am wondering if this is some new strategy? Whatever it is, I like it. Since our suburbs are normally deprived of the presence of upscale markets, at least this gets some options out there for us.
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#11
Richard Kilgore
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Posted 29 January 2005 - 10:10 AM
How does the CM butter compare to Plugra, my preferred butter for the past couple of years?
#12
fifi
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Posted 29 January 2005 - 10:53 AM
Hmmm . . . I am not sure about CM versus Plugra. The CM is very good and in my opinion is a bit better enough than LoL that I will buy it when I am there and it is available. I probably wouldn't go without to wait to get CM. I do remember buying the Plugra and going "Eh, What is the big deal?" I think this calls for a side by side comparison. Quite possibly, I am missing something.
BTW . . . That blood orange soda is spectacular. And I am not normally a soda drinker. Having read the label, I find it interesting that it contains 12% juice and is colored with "black" carrot juice. (I am wondering if those are the same carrots that turned my chicken and dumplings blue.)
Anyway, there is something oddly familiar about the flavor of the soda. I can't put my finger on it.
BTW . . . That blood orange soda is spectacular. And I am not normally a soda drinker. Having read the label, I find it interesting that it contains 12% juice and is colored with "black" carrot juice. (I am wondering if those are the same carrots that turned my chicken and dumplings blue.)
Anyway, there is something oddly familiar about the flavor of the soda. I can't put my finger on it.
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#13
irodguy
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Posted 29 January 2005 - 04:11 PM
How does the CM butter compare to Plugra, my preferred butter for the past couple of years?
I would compare it pretty much head to head with Plugra. It's a great "bang for the buck"
Never trust a skinny chef
#14
nessa
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Posted 29 January 2005 - 11:50 PM
I'm so glad I didn't pick up the Blood Orange Soda. I do NOT need another addiction.
The CM organic truffles are quite good.
The CM organic truffles are quite good.
#15
fifi
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Posted 30 January 2005 - 11:38 AM
Uhhh . . . What is an "organic" truffle? Truffles are found, not farmed. It is just this sort of thing that makes me wrinkle my brow about anything claiming to be "organic."
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#16
Richard Kilgore
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Posted 30 January 2005 - 11:02 PM
Thanks, irodguy. I'll try the CM butter then. I find the Plugra to be significantly better (and significantly more costly) than the Land o' Lakes I used for many years, and something of Plugra quality for less would be great.
#17
franktex
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Posted 31 January 2005 - 04:13 PM
OK, so after I pick up my bottle of Blood Orange Soda, I go over to the butter section and find Lurpak Danish Butter with Lime & Chili. I like making my own butters, but this one is pretty good.
Frank the sheep
Frank the sheep
Frank in Austin
#18
RebeccaT
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Posted 02 February 2005 - 01:32 PM
Uhhh . . . What is an "organic" truffle? Truffles are found, not farmed. It is just this sort of thing that makes me wrinkle my brow about anything claiming to be "organic."
Ah, but these are the chocolate variety. If there's a forest that grows this kind of truffle, please tell me where!
#19
FoodMan
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Posted 02 February 2005 - 02:15 PM
Uhhh . . . What is an "organic" truffle? Truffles are found, not farmed. It is just this sort of thing that makes me wrinkle my brow about anything claiming to be "organic."
Ah, but these are the chocolate variety. If there's a forest that grows this kind of truffle, please tell me where!
..that's too funnyIn comparing Plugra to CM I think Plugra has a more distinctive taste. More "sour", if that makes any sense. However, for the money, CM is definitly my top choice.
Fifi, glad to hear that HEB has all this stuff!! I will be checking my HEB pretty soon.
Elie
E. Nassar
Houston, TX
My Blog
contact: enassar(AT)gmail(DOT)com
#20
nacho
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Posted 02 February 2005 - 02:41 PM
Fifi, glad to hear that HEB has all this stuff!! I will be checking my HEB pretty soon.
Elie
My HEB in Austin at Braker and 183 had some of this stuff, but not much. No blood orange soda though
.... I'm starting to get withdrawal shakes.The applesauce is good. The label says they make it with old fashioned equipment to keep the apple bruising down. That's nice of them.
#21
fifi
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Posted 02 February 2005 - 05:01 PM
I went to the big HEB at 646 and I-45 last night. I should have taken my notebook. As I thought, there were more CM brands showing up. But . . . the horror . . . they were out of blood orange soda. 
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#22
RebeccaT
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Posted 03 February 2005 - 09:11 AM
Was at the CM on Westheimer last night, and they have a nice little shelf setup next to customer service with a display of ALL of their new CM items. Stuff I hadn't even realized... morello cherry preserves (and loads of other flavors), extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar... I didn't get anything but the microwave popcorn (seriously, so good. Tastes like what used to come out of the stove-top corn popper) but I will definitely be trying this other stuff in the near future.
#24
fifi
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Posted 03 February 2005 - 09:28 PM
Was at the CM on Westheimer last night, and they have a nice little shelf setup next to customer service with a display of ALL of their new CM items. Stuff I hadn't even realized... morello cherry preserves (and loads of other flavors), extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar... I didn't get anything but the microwave popcorn (seriously, so good. Tastes like what used to come out of the stove-top corn popper) but I will definitely be trying this other stuff in the near future.
Now that is a good idea . . . having that display, I mean. I find that CMs and the big HEBs have just so much stuff that it makes me dizzy. I may be making an excursion into town over the weekend and may make a stop there just to check it out. Then I can go looking in my HEB for stuff that I am interested in. There were a lot of odd blank spaces on the shelves at the HEB. It was like they were reshuffling the stock, to make space for the new stuff maybe? But if they don't restock that blood orange soda I'm gonna GET A ROPE!
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#25
matilda254
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Posted 04 February 2005 - 06:03 AM
Was at the CM on Westheimer last night, and they have a nice little shelf setup next to customer service with a display of ALL of their new CM items. Stuff I hadn't even realized... morello cherry preserves (and loads of other flavors), extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar... I didn't get anything but the microwave popcorn (seriously, so good. Tastes like what used to come out of the stove-top corn popper) but I will definitely be trying this other stuff in the near future.
Now that is a good idea . . . having that display, I mean. I find that CMs and the big HEBs have just so much stuff that it makes me dizzy. I may be making an excursion into town over the weekend and may make a stop there just to check it out. Then I can go looking in my HEB for stuff that I am interested in. There were a lot of odd blank spaces on the shelves at the HEB. It was like they were reshuffling the stock, to make space for the new stuff maybe? But if they don't restock that blood orange soda I'm gonna GET A ROPE!
I was in CM North yesterday wanting to pick up some Blood orange soda..there is none to be found. The warehouse is even out. SIGH....
Maddie
#26
irodguy
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Posted 04 February 2005 - 12:01 PM
Was at the CM on Westheimer last night, and they have a nice little shelf setup next to customer service with a display of ALL of their new CM items. Stuff I hadn't even realized... morello cherry preserves (and loads of other flavors), extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar... I didn't get anything but the microwave popcorn (seriously, so good. Tastes like what used to come out of the stove-top corn popper) but I will definitely be trying this other stuff in the near future.
Now that is a good idea . . . having that display, I mean. I find that CMs and the big HEBs have just so much stuff that it makes me dizzy. I may be making an excursion into town over the weekend and may make a stop there just to check it out. Then I can go looking in my HEB for stuff that I am interested in. There were a lot of odd blank spaces on the shelves at the HEB. It was like they were reshuffling the stock, to make space for the new stuff maybe? But if they don't restock that blood orange soda I'm gonna GET A ROPE!
I was in CM North yesterday wanting to pick up some Blood orange soda..there is none to be found. The warehouse is even out. SIGH....
Maddie
Lucky for me Plano CM has plenty
I bought a bottle last night and going back for another tonight. I might have to start a chapter of BOSA 
Never trust a skinny chef
#27
Richard Kilgore
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Posted 04 February 2005 - 10:05 PM
Plano CM is now two bottles shorter of Blood Orange. Everyone is right -- this is very tasty stuff.
And even better news on the butter front. There are now two choices for Plugra. You can get an 8 ounce block for $3.99 or a 16 ounce block for...$4.79. I had to make sure that these were not two different qualities of Plugra, so I checked with the butter foodie on staff and she said both are the same. They have quite a selection of French, Czech, Danish and English butters as well, but she said the Irish one is "to die for". But fearing death, I took home the big block of Plugra and my refrigerator is over flowing with butter right now, so I'll have to try the Irish one another time.
I also sampled the gelato -- the mango is great!
And even better news on the butter front. There are now two choices for Plugra. You can get an 8 ounce block for $3.99 or a 16 ounce block for...$4.79. I had to make sure that these were not two different qualities of Plugra, so I checked with the butter foodie on staff and she said both are the same. They have quite a selection of French, Czech, Danish and English butters as well, but she said the Irish one is "to die for". But fearing death, I took home the big block of Plugra and my refrigerator is over flowing with butter right now, so I'll have to try the Irish one another time.
I also sampled the gelato -- the mango is great!
#28
fifi
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Posted 23 March 2005 - 10:45 PM
OK . . . this is not about a Central Market brand but the Momma HEB. Now, normally HEB brands are pretty good stuff. But I have found an outlyer. That is the jar of mayonesa . . . mayonaise made with lime juice. I am able to get Hellman's mayonesa at my local Randall's but I was totally out and I was in the big HEB so I went looking. No Hellman's. But they did have the HEB brand of mayonesa so I bought it. Bad move. This stuff is like Jello. I look at the ingredients list and am wondering how they can avoid mentioning something like carrageenan or some other emulsifier. This stuff is gross. I put some in a bowl and added some lime juice for a dip for some roasted asparagus and couldn't get it incorporated into a smooth sauce. After vigorous whisking, it still looked like bad cottage cheese.
Linda LaRose aka "fifi"
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
"Having spent most of my life searching for truth in the excitement of science, I am now in search of the perfectly seared foie gras without any sweet glop." Linda LaRose
#29
shoutsandmurmurs
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Posted 29 March 2005 - 02:09 PM
ha!
i remember lurking around maybe a month and a half ago, reading this thread and thinking to myself that i simply must try the blood orange soda.
eight bottles later...
the stuff is great! i keep saying i'll try the other flavors, but so far the lemon one just sits in the fridge and i buy more of the orange. all this while i'm trying to cut back on sugar!
i bumped this thread because i made the conscious decision of shopping at CM. living with all the new whole foods brouhaha is too much. sure, the store's great, but as some of you have pointed out--zero texas personality. and too.many.people! oh those bourgeouis bohemians love their whole foods.
i visited the south lamar CM yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowd. i feel a CM shopping spree coming on...
i remember lurking around maybe a month and a half ago, reading this thread and thinking to myself that i simply must try the blood orange soda.
eight bottles later...
the stuff is great! i keep saying i'll try the other flavors, but so far the lemon one just sits in the fridge and i buy more of the orange. all this while i'm trying to cut back on sugar!
i bumped this thread because i made the conscious decision of shopping at CM. living with all the new whole foods brouhaha is too much. sure, the store's great, but as some of you have pointed out--zero texas personality. and too.many.people! oh those bourgeouis bohemians love their whole foods.
i visited the south lamar CM yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowd. i feel a CM shopping spree coming on...
"i dream of cherry pies, candy bars and chocolate chip cookies." -talking heads
#30
nacho
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Posted 29 March 2005 - 03:31 PM
i visited the south lamar CM yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowd. i feel a CM shopping spree coming on...
The North Lamar (original) CM has had plenty of available parking the last few times I've been in as well. They were even handing out a $5-off-the-purchase-of-$25-or-more coupon last time I was in.
And fifi, please elaborate on the uses of mayonesa, if you don't mind??? I've never heard of it.
