Sara Lee Foodservice received the Gold Medal for superior taste in both the Liquid Coffee and Tea categories at the 2010 American Masters of Taste National Taste Test. The liquid coffee and tea products were judged by a panel of on-premise beverage buyers, led by famed Master of Taste founder Chef Jesse Sartain.

“The Douwe Egberts liquid coffee and Paradise Teas tasted exceptional and were certainly well-deserving of the award in each respective category,” Sartain says. “We commend the commitment of Sara Lee for its quality, excellence in taste, and innovation. The high quality and consistency of the Douwe Egberts and Paradise brands is truly worthy of recognition in the industry.”

The Douwe Egberts European Dark Roast and Douwe Egberts 100 percent Colombian blends tested superior and were selected as winners of the Gold Medal in the Liquid Coffee category. The Douwe Egberts Cafitesse liquid coffee is designed to provide operators with consistent quality in every cup, and the American Masters of Taste Gold Medal confirms the leadership position in this category.

In the tea category, Paradise Original Tropical, China Black, Black Currant, and Cranberry Hibiscus Iced Teas were also all recognized for superior taste, receiving the American Masters of Taste Gold Medal.

The protocols of the “triple blind” judging required that the judges were unaware of the manufacturer, product variety or appellation, and other evaluators’ scores and comments.

“The consistent quality of our Douwe Egberts and Paradise brands continues to demonstrate our leadership in each respective category,” says Jan Pieter Schretlen, vice president and general manager of beverage for Sara Lee Foodservice. “We’re thrilled with the recognition each received from the American Masters of Taste and know it speaks to the quality products we provide our operators.”