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A fresh-baked bagel is a beautiful thing, but it isn't cheap on a daily basis (bagels usually cost more than $1 each, unless you get a baker's dozen for a special price, and then there is the problem of keeping them fresh and tasty). And, if you come from New York, like I do, you have high standards for your bagels. So naturally, I was interested to read about a taste test and new ratings on bagels in the May issue of Consumer Reports.
The test found surprising results. Some store-bought bagels tasted almost as good as bakery bagels: Lender's Original plain bagels (frozen, not the refrigerated Bagel Shop version) and Kirkland Signature, from Costco, bagels had the highest taste marks of the store-bought plain flavor bagels, which means that the crust was slightly crispy and the bagel had a good pull and chew when bitten. You can usually tell a store-bought bagel by its soft crust and slightly bitter flavor, according to the test results.
Dunkin' Donuts plain bagels also got high taste marks but ring in at a budget-busting $1.09, according to Consumer Reports.
No matter what type of bagels you love, here's how to find delicious deals:
- Take advantage of bagel buy-one-get-one-free deals at the grocery store and use coupons if you can find them.
- If you belong to Costco, try the Kirkland bagels and share the membership with other bagel lovers.
- Buy bakery bagels when they offer 18 bagels for the price of a dozen and freeze half.
- Look for specials and coupons for Dunkin' Donuts bagels. Now, they are running a special where you can get six for $3.99.
Would you consider buying grocery store bagels?
