The beauty of eggnog is that, unlike other hot topics that might come up at the holiday table, it’s a low-stakes topic that’s likely to arouse friendly debate.
Three Fiesta Farmers, Produce Clerk Shawn Kerr, Cashier B. McDonald, and Dairy Manager Tony Addesi, were asked to rate five popular egg nog brands based on very specific criteria:
- Presentation – Colour and smell
- Thickness – Texture and creaminess
- Spice – The right balance of flavours
Three esteemed Fiesta Farmers who tasted egg nogs – In order of appearance: Shawn, B. + Tony
Beatrice – $4.59
Beatrice Egg Nog was rocking the holiday punch bowl long before organic and oat nogs crashed the party. It remains a well-priced, palatable, slightly sophisticated classic. It’s well spiced with cardamom and turmeric. Jurors praised it for its “eggy, sweet” flavour.
Organic Meadow – $8.99
This one presents like a bold star at the top of the Christmas tree — it has a great yellow colour and a delightfully boozy aroma. Some of the jurors were looking for a bit more spice on the palate, but all agreed its thickness carried some serious holiday heft.
Elmhurst – $7.99
This dairy-free, vegan option combines oat and cashew milk. Our jurors said that it definitely “goes down easy.” The colour didn’t impress (“it’s a bit grey”), but they agreed it’s a good choice for people who prefer a dairy-free option that’s not too heavy on the spices. The other non-dairy option we sampled was Sheldon Creek, which jurors thought was a good choice for those who want a less “noggy” egg nog experience.
Kawartha Dairy – $6.99
Kawartha Dairy doesn’t just stop at their classic Egg Nog; they take festive indulgence a step further with their seasonal Egg Nog ice cream. The jurors thought this egg nog had just the right degree of thickness that doesn’t coat the tongue. And they found that the “spices come through.”
Harmony Organic – $10.49
Harmony egg nog’s custard-like taste made it a favourite among our esteemed jurors. It balances velvety thickness with a good dose of spice and sweetness.
