Office Desk Drawer Audit

Scanning the label, this can keeps things straightforward with just 1g of sugar per 100g, and a stellar 9.9 score. The ingredient list is short, though it does include calcium chloride for firmness and disodium EDTA for color. I imagine these beans holding their shape beautifully in a big Sunday batch of chili, giving you that consistent bite without turning to mush. The texture seems reliably firm, which is a huge plus for leftovers. The trade-off? That EDTA can sometimes leave a faint metallic note if you're sensitive to it, though it's subtle. For the price per ounce on canned goods, this is a solid pantry anchor.

This can scores a 9.9 and keeps the sugar to just 1g per 100g. The ingredients list is minimal: prepared beans, water, sugar, and the firming/color agents. It's a reliable choice for a quick protein boost. I'd toss this into a gym bag lunch with some brown rice; the firm texture should survive the commute without getting soggy. It's a straightforward, no-fuss bean. The main trade-off is the lack of salt in the canning liquid. If you're not seasoning your dish aggressively, these might taste a bit flat on their own. You're paying for that high score and texture consistency, which usually pays off if you cook often.

Here we have the cleanest label of the bunch: just beans and water. The sugar is 0g, the score is a 9.9, and there are zero additives. This is the one to buy if you want total control over your meal's flavor profile. I see this working perfectly for a late-night curry where you don't want any hidden sweetness or preservative aftertaste interfering with your spices. The texture might be slightly softer than the calcium chloride versions, but the purity is worth it. The trade-off is that you absolutely must season this yourself, or it will taste like nothing. It's a blank canvas, which is exactly what some cooks need.

With a 9.7 score and 3g of sugar per 100g, this can leans sweeter than the others due to the liquid sugar. The ingredients include salt and firming agents. I could see these being a hit in a quick side dish for kids, where a touch of sweetness balances the savory beans. The texture should be nice and firm. The trade-off is clearly the added sugar; if you're watching your sugar intake, this isn't the one to grab. You're also paying for that sweetness, which might not be necessary if you're adding BBQ sauce anyway. It's a decent value if you specifically want that sweeter profile without adding it yourself.

This can offers a 9.8 score with just 2g of sugar and a two-ingredient list: beans and water. It's the middle ground between the ultra-clean option and the seasoned ones. I'd use this for a quick office lunch wrap; the texture is reliable, and you don't have to worry about weird additives. It's a solid, everyday bean. The trade-off is the lack of salt, similar to the other clean options. It's slightly pricier per ounce than the bulkier cans, but the convenience of the light red kidney bean texture might be worth it for specific recipes like salads where you don't want a heavy bite.