Phantom Gourmet: Olive Taste Test

BOSTON (CBS) -- Phantom recently purchased four jars of pimento stuffed queen olives at a local supermarket. The contenders were Laurel Hill, Mario, Mezzetta, and Pearls. See if you can guess which briny brand ended up at the top of the food chain.

Pearls finished in last place. The darkest and smallest olives of the bunch, this jar delivered nothing but disappointment. Their texture was way too firm, and their flavor was way too salty and bitter, leaving Phantom with nothing but a bad taste in his mouth.

A step up from there is Mario. With a pleasant, but not too firm bite, these olives got the texture just right. Unfortunately the flavor was another story. These orbs were way too salty, and needed a bit more vinegar, leading to an unbalanced eating experience.

The runner up is Mezzetta. Light green with a bright red pimento, this jar definitely delivers a classic looking olive. And the flavor here is on point, with a pleasant balance of salt and briny goodness. Unfortunately, when it came to texture, these olives were inconsistent. Some of them were great, but others were a mushy mess.

At the top of the food chain is Laurel Hill. This local brand nails the flavor Phantom was looking for, with a delightful punch of briny goodness in every bite. Plump and meaty with an aroma that smells like fine wine, these olives are great on their own, and would make an excellent addition to a classic martini. That's why Laurel Hill pimento stuffed queen olives are at the top of the food chain.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.