Putting Sorbet To The Taste Test

Sorbet is the light dessert this summer.

So, Real Simple magazine tried dozens of brands in search of the best, and reports the results in its August issue.

Not to be outdone, The Early Show dispatched co-anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez to do some sampling of their own Tuesday.

Then, they compared notes with Real Simple's Kris Connell.

To watch,

Smith and Rodriguez tasted three brands of coconut, lemon and mango sorbet. All did well in the Real Simple rankings, and the ones that headed their Real Simple categories were among them.

Also on the set were new flavors found in sorbet, including wine flavors, acai (a berry flavor), and fancy fruit flavors.

According to Real Simple:

Sorbet is a perfect treat for both food lovers and dieters, customarily served either as a palate refresher between courses, or as dessert. It's a blend of 70-80 percent fruit with just a touch of water and sugar to achieve a smooth consistency. Flavors are usually dairy-free, fat-free, and cholesterol-free, except for chocolate and coconut, which contain natural fat and milk. Most sorbets are also certified as kosher products.

SIMILAR DESSERTS INCLUDE:

Gelato: An Italian-style ice cream made from milk, sugar, and additional flavors, it's smooth and creamy with a dense texture and intense taste. It usually contains 60 percent air by volume.

Sherbet: Made from ice-sweetened fruit juice or puree, sherbet serves as a lower-fat alternative to ice cream. Sorbet has a softer consistency than sherbet. Sherbet usually has more ingredients than sorbet, including milk, egg whites and gelatin.

Frozen Yogurt: Containing yogurt and/or dairy products, it also acts as a low-fat or fat-free alternative to ice cream. It's typically available in the same flavors as ice cream.

Whereas ice cream has air whipped into it, sorbet has almost none, making it a dense and very flavorful alternative.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SORBET? WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR?

Like all foods, this is a matter of personal taste. Some people prefer ore icy sorbets, while some prefer it creamier. Chances are, if you like fruit and dessert, you'll love sorbet. It's the perfect combination. And it's great for cooling you down on hot summer days.

Sorbet should be smooth and creamy, not watery. The color should be rich. It should taste like the natural fruit, not an overly sweetened candy-like flavor.

Some sorbet contains chunks of natural fruit. This is, of course, a matter of personal preference.

THOUGHTS FROM REAL SIMPLE ON SOME SPECIFIC BRANDS AND FLAVORS:

COCONUT:

Ciao Bella ($5 for a pint)