ABSTRACT: Muir Glen's Garden Vegetable Soup is rich, hearty and favorable and has completely organic ingredients.
CONTENT:
Whenever I go grocery shopping, I'm always on the lookout for processed food products that contain natural ingredients, or better yet, foods that are made from organically grown methods. And yes, there is a difference between the labeling of foods as natural vs. organic. When any food product labels itself as containing all natural ingredients it can simply mean that particular product doesn't have any chemical or synthetic additives, yet may and will often contain foods grown by commercial means, which of course, may mean grown with pesticides and may also mean contains GMO/GE (Genetically Modified Organisms/Genetically Engineered) ingredients. For food items to be considered organic on the other hand, means that the food had to follow the strict standards set by the USDA , that is not commercially raised foods, pesticide free, and no GMO/GE ingredients. (1)(2) How can one tell if a food product is truly organic? Quite simply by looking on the label and there will be the USDA Organic seal on it.
When I think of it, I must look a rather comical sight when I do my grocery shopping as I'm always reading the ingredients labels like crazy, and this is true especially if I'm interested in purchasing a food item that I haven't tried before. This is exactly what I did when by chance I came across a variety of soups in my local Duane Reade store and made by the Muir Glen company. Now when I think of companies that make soup, of course I'm familiar with Campbell's, Progresso, Healthy Choice and so forth, but Muir Glen? I have to confess, I never heard of this company before. What did attract my attention was the fact that under the name of each Muir Glen soup variety it clearly stated "Organic" and yes, had the USDA Organic seal.
Since I love vegetable type soups, I picked out the can of Muir Glen's Garden Vegetable Soup which also states on the label that is Vegan and free of MSG. Here is the list of ingredients: Water, tomato puree (water, tomato paste), Diced Celery*, Carrots*, Tomatoes*, Corn*, Cut Green Beans*, Peas*, Potatoes*. Contains less than 1% of: Sea Salt, Corn Starch*, Onion Powder*, Red Bell Pepper*, Garlic Powder*, Basil*, Black Pepper*, Citric Acid, Oregano*, Calcium Chloride. *Organic
Here are the particulars for the Garden Vegetable Nutrition facts:
Serving size: 1 cup (251g)
Servings Per Container: about 2
Calories per serving: 70
Calories from Fat: 0
Total Fat : 0.5g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 780mg 33%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11% Sugars 5g
Protein 3g
Now of course, the ultimate test itself, trying it. First of all, I have to point out that this is not a condensed soup therefore, one does not add water to it the way one might for any soup by Campbell's. Also, the can is only 14.9 oz, therefore a rather small-sized can and while the label specifies that the servings per container is about two, it's actually more like only one large serving. The base or stock of the soup is tomato, which I love, and I noticed a great blend of the vegetable ingredients; there were large slices of carrots, celery, and generous amounts of the other vegetables listed. There is one thing however that I need to point out and that concerns the sodium content of the soup which is 780mg, and may be rather high for those watching their sodium intake.
So, how did it taste? In one word: fantastic! I do have to admit that sometimes in the past, I've been disappointed with certain organic food products as they often tasted rather bland, but this soup has a great, rich hearty taste and very satisfying. In a rating scale of one to ten, I would rate it a ten, and can't wait to buy some more! I also can't wait to try some of their other products as well. With the company Muir Glen, and with my first introduction of their foods via their Garden Vegetable soup, I feel as though I've hit a goldmine of great taste and of a great company of products. The cost of this can of soup at my Duane Reade store was $3.99, a dollar or two more perhaps than most canned soups, but in my opinion well worth it.
If you want to learn more about Muir Glen and their food items that they produce which includes all of their tomato products, such as their canned diced, fire roasted, crushed and whole tomatoes, plus their salsas, sauces, ketchup and soups, visit their website
If you can't find their products at your store you can order on-line here
Sources:
Meaning of Natural Ingredients:
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