CATEGORY
Taco Shells
2008 CHEFSBEST® AWARD FOR BEST TASTE WINNER
Old El Paso
What Makes Great Taco Shells?
Everyone loves taco night, especially when crispy yellow corn tacos shells are involved. With a variety of fillings — ground beef or shredded chicken, veggies, cheese and salsa — a good taco shell can provide delicious crunch as a host to savory flavors. Keep plenty of taco shells in your pantry so that taco night can happen any night of the week.
Our chef experts define high quality corn taco shells as having a speckled yellow color, with a round shape molded into a fillable shell. Dark spots may appear on taco shells as long as they do not give off burnt flavors.
The taco shell's low aroma intensity should feature corn, toasted and slight oil notes, while its aroma character may feature those in addition to a noticeable sourness, adding to its complexity. There should be no discernible off notes in the shells' aroma, including packaging, plastic or cardboard notes.
A taco shell will be in taste balance when low levels of sweet and salt are the most evident basic tastes. Sour and bitter should remain minimal throughout.
In terms of flavor, taco shells are expected to deliver low to moderate intensity, with the flavor character delivering some complexity. A taco shell’s natural corn flavor should not be overwhelmed when eaten with other foods like seasoned taco meat and lettuce.
A moderate crispiness should define initial bites, along with a moderate chew and some adhesion. Look for a relatively smooth mouthfeel with discernible grittiness. Furthermore, taco shells should always maintain their freshness, which helps them avoid sogginess and remain sturdy. Finally, the shell should ensure that the taco fillings remain where they belong: in the shell. The texture of the shell should contribute a smartly balanced contrast to the meat, veggies, cheese, and salsa within.
Product Category Definition
The category judged was defined for the consumer market, not including corn or flour tortillas, taco kits, or taco seasonings.
Other Leading Brands:
Mission Foods, Ortega, Taco Bell
ONE-STEP IDEAS
Fill with scrambled eggs, chopped ham and shredded cheese for breakfast tacos.
To crisp up mildly stale taco shells, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Break up and use as a base for nachos.
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TASTING
TERMINOLOGY
PRODUCT
FUN FACTS
- The word taco comes from a generic Mexican term for “plug” or “bite,” though there are 27 different meanings for the word.
- Spanish soldier Bernal Diaz del Castillo wrote about the discovery of tacos in Mexico in 1520.
- The first taco recipes in English appeared in 1914.
The ChefsBest Award for Best Taste is awarded to the brand rated highest overall among leading brands by independent professional chefs.
