Phantom Gourmet: Ketchup Taste Test

BOSTON (CBS) -- Phantom recently purchased four bottles of ketchup at a local supermarket. The contending condiments were Annie's Naturals, French's, Heinz, and Hunt's. All brands scored well in Phantom's taste test, but only one could end up at the top of the food chain.

French's finished in last place. This brand-new player to the ketchup game blasts out of the bottle with a bright red color and thick consistency. But it's a boring one note number, with a not-at-all subtle sweetness overpowering any other flavors and spices.

Next up is Hunt's. This perennial 'also ran' ketchup brand isn't bad, but it certainly isn't the best bottle on the market. It proudly proclaims to be one hundred percent natural, with no high fructose corn syrup and no preservatives--but Phantom found Hunt's to be too vinegary to be his ketchup of choice.

The runner up is Annie's Naturals. This organic ketchup is very, very good. It's dark red, with a rich aroma that immediately announces this ain't your basic bottle. Made with cane sugar, and seasoned with allspice and clove, Annie's tastes zesty and warm, with a sweet and complex finish. On the downside, it costs a bit more than the other brands, but if you're looking for a ketchup that's a bit different, this may be your new favorite.

At the top of the food chain is Heinz. Try as they might, no one can conquer America's leading ketchup. From its classic fire engine red color to its familiar smooth balance of sweet tomato and tangy vinegar, this brand is what ketchup is supposed to taste like. Simply put, it's one of those classic American comfort foods that seem to be just about perfect. That's why Heinz is at the top of the food chain.