"James Silverton" > wrote:
>
> I've mentioned that I try store brands from time to time if it
> seems probable they can replace name-brand items. Today, I
> bought a can of Giant Stores "Vegetable Juice", an obvious take
> off on V-8. It wasn't bad at all even if it seemed lower in
> celery than the original. With a shot of Worcestershire sauce,
> as I usually drink it, there seemed little difference.

Very likely IS V-8... canned in a V-8 facility but with a different
label... that it *seemed* to taste a little different is very likely
psychological, just like people seem to find Walmart toothpaste tastes
a little different from Colgate, yet it's the exact same product out
of the same vat, just different packaging.

V-8 is essentially tomato juice but with some flavoring added. All
tomato juice is made from tomato paste (tomato concentrate), not
shipping all that water saves a lot of money... you can save a lot of
money too by making your own.... how difficult is it to dump a can of
tomato paste into a quart container, add water, and shake... no more
difficult than preparing frozen orange juice. your tomato juice will
cost you less than half... you can make V-8 by adding some vegetable
soup boullion and a pinch of celery salt. Squeeze in a wedge of lime,
add ice, worcestershire, hot sauce, and a good glug of vodka and you
won't be so fussy about the exact recipe.