I have fond childhood memories of family vacations when we would have breakfast at a motel or hotel restaurant and there would always be cute little jars or bottles of maple syrup, jellies, and jams on the tables. I would always order pancakes, waffles, or French toast just so I could use all the syrup and save the cute little bottle!
How much do you know about maple syrup? I thought I knew a lot, but I discovered that I really didn’t! I found some good information about maple syrup on a Cornell University site. Let’s pour over some of the info.
Maple syrup is a 100% natural product made from the sap of maple trees. It is a pure product and contains no additives or preservatives. In the late winter and early spring, during periods of overnight freezes and daytime thaws, maple trees develop positive pressure in their stems. During this time, sap is collected from maple trees and concentrated to a high sugar content to make a light to dark brown syrup.
Did you know that New York is the second largest maple syrup producing U.S. state, surpassed only by Vermont? Wow, I never knew that! It’s produced in the region of North America ranging from southeastern Canada to Pennsylvania and from the East Coast to Wisconsin.
What’s your preference when it comes to syrup? Many people prefer artificial [pancake] syrup over pure maple syrup. Pure maple syrup is definitely pricier than the artificial kind.
Do you buy maple syrup on a regular basis, whether real or artificial?
The most common use for maple syrup is to put it on breakfast foods such as pancakes, waffles, and French toast, but this syrup can be used in so many different ways.
Here are some ideas for different uses of the syrup from Rural Sprout.
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NCP In The News: Decisions, Decisions
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Purchasing decisions, both online and in-store, are influenced by many factors. When it comes to making purchase decisions, especially for a big ticket item, many people turn to the Internet for help. Whether it’s comparing prices and product features, reading product reviews and so on, the task of researching before buying is a common practice. It can help ensure that you’re getting the best deal and making a smart choice for your needs. Knowledge is power.
New products are released all the time. And, the selections can be overwhelming. Do you try new products on a regular basis or stick with the ones you already know are good?
In a past Instant Poll on NCP’s panel member website about this topic, our panel members had this to say.
What influences you most to buy a new product?
Sale/Coupon 52%
Recommendation/Review 24%
Brand name/Reputation 16%
Advertising 8%
What influences you most to try a new product or a different brand? Let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear from you!
Are you loyal to particular brands? Brand loyalty is when customers continue to purchase from the same brand over and over again, despite competitors offering similar products or services.
Brand loyalty depends on several factors, including trust/reputation and product quality.
What are some of the reasons consumers try new brands? Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons reported by marketingcharts.com.
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NCP In The News: Love is in the Air
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
February, the month of Valentines and love, is here! Do you do anything special for Valentine’s Day? I loved picking out special cards each year for my friends, and creating mailboxes to collect them in. And, I still like to buy candy hearts at the store!
If you have kids, do their classrooms still have Valentine’s Day parties? Mine do, but they usually just eat pizza and participate in a fun activity with their classmates.
As an adult, I still love to send Valentine cards to friends and family, especially those I haven’t seen in awhile. With so much email and social media in our lives, it’s a nice surprise to get handwritten cards in the mail. Valentine’s Day is an unexpected day to receive mail!
Are you the crafty type? There are so many fun ideas for inexpensive things you can make to show someone you care! From something as simple as a hand-drawn card with a heartfelt message, to heart-shaped baked goods and more, there’s something for every skill level.
When I was searching for ideas, I found this list from HGTV. It includes things like:
– Conversation heart cookies
– DIY cupcake bouquet
– Valentine tea bags
– Heart-shaped window clings
– Fringed heart-shaped pinata
– Etched wineglasses
– Conversation heart bath bombs
– Festive Valentine banners
– Candy necklaces
Do you have kids? A fun Valentine craft for children is making heart-shaped crayons! I did this a few years ago with my kids, and it was a big hit. You probably already have plenty of broken crayons in your house, so you might as well do something fun with them!
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NCP In The News: Any Way You Slice It…
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Let’s talk about bread! I just love it! Do you? I don’t even think there’s a type of bread that I don’t like. But, bread sometimes gets a bad rap and seems to be the first thing to go for those following a no-carb or low-carb diet/lifestyle.
According to Britannica, bread has been a major food since prehistoric times. The first bread was made in Neolithic times, nearly 12,000 years ago, probably of coarsely crushed grain mixed with water, with the resulting dough laid on heated stones and baked by covering with hot ashes. The Egyptians supposedly discovered that allowing wheat doughs to ferment, thus forming gases, produced a light, expanded loaf. They also developed baking ovens.
According to Baking Business, in July 2023, Circana data showed that non-GMO, no preservatives, organic and lower-calorie claims led dollar sales for the bread category. Protein and low-carb claims drove the most unit growth and will likely stay in high demand as diets like keto remain popular among consumers.
Not only is bread delicious, it is relatively inexpensive (depends on the type) and, it fills you up! Here’s a list from Country Living Magazine of just some of the many breads available today, are any of these your favorite?
Whole Wheat
Sourdough
Rye
Pumpernickel
Pita Bread
Multigrain
Focaccia
Ciabatta
Challah
Brioche
Baguette
Any way you slice it, bread is here to stay!
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NCP In The News: Soup Season Is Here
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January is National Soup Month, and for good reason- nothing tastes better on a cold winter day than a warm bowl of soup!
My family has been eating a lot of soup the past few weeks. We enjoy all kinds: canned, packaged, take-out, and homemade. We’ve been experimenting with a lot of new recipes this month, too, especially ones we can make in the slow cooker. I love how it fills the house with wonderful smells while we’re waiting for it to cook!
Soup is also an excellent comfort food when you’re feeling under the weather. Whenever I’m sick, chicken noodle soup is one of the first things I want to eat.
What’s your favorite type of soup?
Soup is a liquid dish that contains stock, milk, or water along with meat or vegetables. It’s usually served warm or hot, but there are plenty of cold soups, too.
How long have people been eating soup? Archaeologists have found evidence of soup consumption in 6,000 BC, around the time the Mesopotamia/Fertile Crescent was first inhabited.
You might be surprised to learn what the first kind of soup was: hippopotamus.
Americans eat about 10 billion bowls of soup every year- that’s about 30 bowls of soup per person!
The most popular soup in the United States is chicken noodle, my favorite childhood staple.
Source: The Bulletin
Different areas of the country specialize in different types of soup. If you’re visiting Louisiana, for example, you might try turtle soup. In New England, clam chowder is often on the menu.
The Daily Meal made a list of soups for all 50 states based on local and national traditions, locally-grown ingredients, and other factors. Now, be aware that these aren’t necessarily the most popular soups in each state, but it’s a fun list to inspire new ideas.
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NCP In The News: Buying in Bulk
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Bulk buying has become more popular over the years. So what exactly is bulk buying? Bulk buying refers to buying larger quantities of goods at one time. These items can include food and beverages, household/cleaning supplies, office supplies, etc. Why has buying in bulk become increasingly popular? Mostly due to its potential cost savings and convenience.
Bulk buying usually works best for people who have plenty of storage space and use what they’ve purchased at a sensible rate.
What are the benefits of buying in bulk?
According to nerdwallet.com, here are a few of the potential benefits:
– Reduced packaging waste.
– Saving more on household items that you frequently use. Bulk sizes can have a higher initial cost, but the per-unit cost can be less expensive over time.
– ewer shopping trips, which may reduce your chances of impulse buying.
– Having large quantities of household essentials on hand to be better prepared for emergencies.
How do you feel about buying in bulk? Do you do it? If so, what items do you buy in bulk most often?
According to an article inU.S. News & World Report, here are some of the pros and cons to bulk buying, as well as which items might be the best to buy (and not to buy) in bulk.
Pro: Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper per unit.
Con: Buying in bulk is an upfront expense.
Pro: Buying in bulk means you rarely run out of that product.
Con: If you have a large quantity of something, you’re prone to overusing it.
Pro: Bulk buying is more environmentally friendly
Con: Buying in bulk requires storage space.
Pro: Buying in bulk makes it easier to handle emergencies.
Con: Buying in bulk means less variety in the products you use.
Pro: Buying in bulk means fewer trips to the store.
Con: Items bought in bulk can sit around past their expiration dates.
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NCP In The News: The Reason You Should Give Generic Almond Milk a Chance
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(Originally posted by Tasting Table)
With a rapid increase in veganism over the last few years, it’s only natural that sales of plant-based milk alternatives would follow suit. In 2021 alone, almond milk sales totaled over seven billion dollars — a number that’s projected to continue to grow. In fact, the National Consumer Panel concluded in 2021 that plant-based milk was responsible for 15% of all milk sales — but with almond milk’s average price hovering around 87% more expensive than cow’s milk, we have to wonder: Does generic versus name brand almond milk really matter?
In 2022, Tasting Table conducted a test on 16 almond milk brands, ranked worst to best. Coming in the bottom two were Blue Diamond Almond Breeze and SO Delicious — name-brand almond milk products. On the other hand, Walmart’s Great Value was ranked in the top eight, while Target’s Good & Gather landed the number two spot for best almond milk on the market.
So, what can we take away from these rankings? While none of the almond milks on the list were reported as bad or undrinkable, some of the name brands had textures and flavors that were a bit off or simply boring. Meanwhile, Great Value almond milk was noted as having a great consistency, no unpleasant aftertaste, and a sweetened version that makes a great alternative to the regular rendition. Likewise, Good & Gather was described by a Target customer as “rich, creamy, and flavorful.”
When it comes to food, we’re all about the saying “You get what you pay for.” There are simply some foods you should never buy generic. But when we’re talking about almond milk, it appears as if even the generic brands stick to healthy ingredients without extra additives.
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NCP Blog: New Year’s Resolutions-Do You Make Them?
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I used to make New Year’s resolutions, but I usually ended up never following through. So, I decided to give them up altogether. But that doesn’t mean I don’t set personal goals for myself or make lists of things I want to do, and places I want to go, throughout the year (just not at the start of each new year!).
You can set goals at any time, or not at all.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions?
What do you think are some of the top resolutions people set for the new year? Here‘s a list of the top 10 most common ones shared on goskills.com.
Do any of these resolutions resonate with you?
They also shared some tips on how to prepare for setting resolutions/goals that may help you be successful in achieving them.
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NCP Blog: Baking Holiday Memories
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
When the holiday season comes around, many people look forward to baking. Whether it’s making all types of holiday cakes, pies, and cookies, batches of fudge and peanut brittle, or even building gingerbread houses, there’s nothing like these fun and festive treats to indulge in at this time of year.
Why do people bake more during the holidays than at other times of the year? Many enjoy gifting their delicious baked treats to friends, family, coworkers, etc. And, those lucky recipients not only enjoy eating the treats, they appreciate the time that went into making and decorating them.
Holiday baking can also be a chance for quality time with loved ones. It can be a fun activity to do together and a holiday tradition that you look forward to every year.
I came across this fun list of the best holiday desserts in each state that was put together by Taste of Home. (If you want any of the recipes, just click on the Taste of Home link.)
Alabama – Tender Pecan Logs
Alaska – Festive Cranberry Cake
Arizona – Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie
Arkansas – Rosettes
California – Pistachio Cranberry Bark
Colorado – Peppermint Lava Cake
Connecticut – Nantucket Cranberry Tart
Delaware – Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies
Florida – Ginger Pumpkin Pie with Streusel
Georgia – Candy Cane Snowballs
Hawaii – Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream
Idaho – Toffee Turtle Squares
Illinois – Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
Indiana – Peppermint Chip Cheesecake
Iowa – Reindeer Cake
Kansas – Perfect Chocolate Fudge
Kentucky – White Chocolate Peppermint Crunch
Louisiana – Baklava Cheesecake
Maine – Cranberry-Pear Apple Crisp
Maryland – Butter Pound Cake
Massachusetts – Cast-Iron White Chocolate Tart
Michigan – Peanut Butter Snowballs
Minnesota – Cran-Apple Praline Gingerbread
Mississippi – Spiced Eggnog Pumpkin Pie
Missouri – National Harvest Festival
Montana – No Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
Nebraska – Black Forest Chocolate Torte
Nevada – Chocolate Caramel Candy
New Hampshire – Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie
New Jersey – Chocolate Yule Log
New Mexico – Mole New Mexican Wedding Cookies
New York – Spiced Rum Fruitcake
North Carolina – Best Red Velvet Cake
North Dakota – Norwegian Cookies
Ohio – Gingerbread Truffles
Oklahoma – Spiced Pomegranate-Pear Cake
Oregon – Contest-Winning Hazelnut Toffee
Pennsylvania – Chocolate-Covered Coconut Candy
Rhode Island – Silky Chocolate Pie
South Carolina – Red Velvet Cheesecake
South Dakota – Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Tennessee – Grandma’s Divinity
Texas – Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting
Utah – Dipped Gingersnaps
Vermont – Maple Syrup Pie
Virginia – Frozen Peppermint Delight
Washington – White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
West Virginia – Black Forest Upside-Down Cake
Wisconsin – Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
Wyoming – Freezer Pumpkin Pie
*The list did not include Washington D.C.
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2023 NCP Cares Charity Initiative Assists Senior Care Organizations
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
(Syosset, NY, November 28, 2023) – Today is Giving Tuesday, and as part of our 2023 NCP Cares program, National Consumer Panel is pleased to announce donations to two organizations that assist senior citizens.
The two organizations were selected based on results of a nationwide survey of NCP’s panel members. Panel members nominated hundreds of organizations in their areas to receive this one-time donation. Nominations included senior activity centers, community food services, elder-care facilities and more.
After reviewing the nominations, NCP staff members narrowed the list to five semi-finalists. We then asked panelists to vote for their top two choices. Voting closed Nov. 6.
2023 NCP Cares recipients:
Helping senior neighbors age in place in their homes is what the Neighbor in Need movement is all about. Rising taxes, increased living expenses, medical costs and the stressors of growing older should not mean long-time elderly neighbors should have to leave their homes. Neighbor in Need, Inc. is 100% volunteer run. There is never a fee for services. The organization takes great care to hire professional service companies that provide best in class workmanship and materials, backed up with real warranties and guarantees.
“On behalf of Neighbor in Need, thank you so much for your generous donation!,” says Mandy Dyxin, board member. “We are incredibly grateful for your support and will ensure this gift goes directly to help our elderly neighbors to age safely and comfortably in place.”
Long Island Alzheimer & Dementia Center
The mission of the Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center is to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, and their caregivers. The organization actively works to achieve this mission through programs for all stages of Alzheimer’s, Caregiver Support Groups, in-home respite solutions, transportation options, and additional services.
“Yours is truly a tribute that will directly help families affected by Alzheimer’s disease when they need us the most,” says Victoria Cohen, executive director. “It was with deep gratitude that we received your very kind donation of $5,000.”
National Consumer Panel’s Chief Operating Officer John Toomey says, “Between struggling with limited income and the physical challenges that come with aging, our senior citizens are some of the most vulnerable individuals in this country. This year’s NCP Cares donations hopefully serve as a reminder to others that seniors deserve not only assistance but compassion and recognition.”
NCP Cares is National Consumer Panel’s special community outreach program serving on both a local and national level through charitable donations and volunteer initiatives. The mainstay of the program is an annual charitable donation to organizations in our panel members’ own communities.
The National Consumer Panel is an operational joint venture between the two leading longitudinal consumer insights providers in North America – IRI and NielsenIQ. By recruiting, incenting, and equipping a representative sample of U.S. consumers with a variety of methods for data collection, NCP provides the highest quality, actionable consumer data to support the needs of both IRI and NielsenIQ. For information on joining the NCP Panel, visit http://join.ncponline.com/