BOSTON (CBS) - Phantom recently purchased four bottles of sweet and sour sauce at a local supermarket.
The Asian flavored contenders were Kikkoman, La Choy, Sun Luck and World Harbors.
Kikkoman's sauce finished in last place. The picture on the bottle sports one of the most unappealing stir fries Phantom has ever seen. What Phantom found inside wasn't much better.
This dark, thick sauce starts sweet but quickly gives way to an unpleasant harshness that burned the back of Phantom's throat.
While Kikkoman does make great soy sauce, their sweet and sour is best left on the shelf.
A big step up from there is La Choy. Their sauce is bright and goopy, it's easy to understand the appeal of this well-known brand.
Fruit forward, with an overwhelming pineapple flavor, this sauce starts sweet and stays sweet. Little specks of dried peppers bring a welcome contrast of texture to the party but that one sweet flavor note kept Phantom singing the blues.
The runner up is Sun Luck Restaurant Style Sweet And Sour. Phantom was shocked the thin sauce came rushing out of this plain bottle was actually packed with so much flavor.
This well-balanced blend was sweet, sour, and even a bit savory, making it great to pair with whatever you're eating. If it hadn't been so thin, Phantom would have given Sun Luck the win.
At the top of the food chain is World Harbors Maui Mountain Sweet 'N Sour Sauce. This Hawaiian-style sauce gets everything right.
The bottle features attractive artwork, the sauce is not too thick, not too thin and the flavor is deep and complex with tangy sweetness thanks to a perfect blend of tomato, soy, sugar and spices.
That's why World Harbors Maui Mountain Sweet 'N Sour Sauce is at the top of the food chain.
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