Simple spread

The wave of products with "simple" or "simply" in their names rolls on, now producing an entry from Unilever, the folks who make the tubs of butter-substitute Shedd's Spread Country Crock. It's Country Crock Simply Delicious, with "no artificial preservatives or partially hydrogenated oils." It also contains a little yogurt, which none of the other Country Crock varieties do.

Yes, besides Simply Delicious and Original, there are seven Country Crock oil-and-water spreads — Light, Spreadable Sticks, Calcium Plus Vitamin D, Honey, Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice and Churn Style (Mr. Tidbit hasn't a clue) — differing from each other in ways too numerous, and in many cases too tiny, to mention. In fact, there's one more, but it contains actual butter. It's Country Crock Spreadable Butter With Canola Oil.

Still more Simple

Unilever also makes I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. And there's a new one of those, too. No, it's not called Simply Delicious. That would be confusing, It's called Deliciously Simple, and we are told that it contains no artificial flavors or preservatives or hydrogenated oils. It, too, contains a little yogurt, which it appears* that none of the other I Can't Believe It's Not Butter varieties do, although most contain a little buttermilk. (*Mr. Tidbit wasted several hours checking out the ingredient and nutrition details on the many kinds of Country Crock, only to find the labels inconsistent. He won't do that twice.)

Besides the tubs of Deliciously Simple and Original, there are, of course, many other kinds of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spreads. Mr. Tidbit counted five — Light, Calcium & Vitamin D, Olive Oil, Olive Oil Light, and Whipped & Creamy Taste (Mr. Tidbit hasn't a clue) — plus two sprays — Original and Extra Virgin Olive Oil — and sticks.

Energy tea

On an entirely unrelated note (except that it's yet another Unilever product), Lipton introduces Natural Energy tea, which, according to Lipton, "naturally has caffeine to keep you alert and energized throughout your day." Surprise: Tea contains caffeine. OK, but Lipton says Natural Energy has 75 milligrams per 8-ounce cup — that would be 20 milligrams or so more than a typical black tea, and into the lower part of the range for coffee.

Al Sicherman