GOOD TASTES.

NEW BEN & JERRY'S FLAVORS: Ben & Jerry's has hit the jackpot with the introduction of their six new flavors this summer, which tasters found tempting, delicious and fabulous for cooling down on a sweltering day or anytime.

Lots of them contain chocolate in one form or another - which we loved. Our top two favorites were The Gobfather - chocolate ice cream with fudge-covered almonds and nougat swirl - and Marsha Marsha Marshmallow - chocolate ice cream with fudge chunks and toasted marshmallow and graham cracker swirls. Not far behind were Dave Matthews Band's Magic Brownies - vanilla ice cream, fudge brownies and raspberry swirls; Fossil Fuel - sweet cream ice cream with chocolate cookie pieces, fudge dinosaurs and a fudge swirl; Strawberry Cheesecake - strawberry cheesecake ice cream with strawberries and a thick graham cracker swirl; and In a Crunch - peanut butter ice cream with chocolate covered peanuts and a fudge swirl.

Look for the flavors - all available in pints - at supermarkets with a suggested price of $3.69 each. To get the scoop on all of the company's flavors, visit www.benjerry.com.

- Natalie Haughton

TALES BEHIND FOODS: Wonder what's behind all those innovative packaged foods that have changed our lives and the way we eat? Pick up a copy of ``Better Than Homemade: Amazing Foods That Changed the Way We Eat,'' by Carolyn Wyman (Quirk Books; $14.95). A slice of cultural history, it takes you behind the scenes in the food industry and includes stories and trivia, some entertaining, about how convenience products and ads were created - and why they became staples. It's sprinkled throughout with product and ad photos, most in color.

Products run the gamut from triumphs of technology to marketing marvels and include foods like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Marshmallow Fluff, Twinkies, Tang, Minute Rice and much more. You'll find just a few recipes along the way - like Velveeta Fudge, Tater Tots Casserole and Better Than Sex Cake. It's an interesting read if you're into pop culture.

Wyman, who co-authors the syndicated ``Supermarket Sampler'' column, and eats and lives in Philadelphia, writes in the introduction, ``Computers and cell phones top most people's list of the most important inventions of the 20th century. My vote goes to Cheez Whiz. After all, what have computers and cell phones really done for us other than make it possible (and expected) to work 24/7? Processed foods, by contrast have lessened the workload for millions while improving on Mother Nature's many shortcomings.'' Consumers and foodies may or may not agree.

- N. H.

KIDS - CREATE A WILD FROZEN POP: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the frozen pop, Nestle Ice Cream is searching for kids to try out to ``Be a Frozen Pop Flavorologist'' for a day. Ten winners will be selected for an expenses-paid trip to the Nestle factory in Southern California to sample a variety of outlandish flavors along with their own flavor creations.

Kids ages 6-12 (must be U.S. residents) must submit their ideas for the world's coolest frozen pop (including a clever name and unique flavor description) and explain why they are qualified for the position. Contest details and entry forms are available at www.icecream.com. Send entries, postmarked by July 22, to Frozen Pop Flavorologist, Nestle Ice Cream, 5929 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. Each finalist will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and a year's supply of Nestle kids frozen snacks.

- N.H.

SALSA CONTEST: Calling all amateur salsa makers. Put your jazzy concoction to the test at the 2005 Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge at the Salsa Festival July 31. Entries will be judged on flavor, heat, color and consistency - in the following categories: red, green, hot, medium, mild, fruit and most unusual. Ten cases of the winning recipe overall (judge's favorite) will be bottled by Red Hot Foods and given to the winner with a custom label. Pre-registration is required and the entry fee is $20 per recipe, which includes a souvenir T-shirt. Deadline to enter is July 22. Entry forms are available online at www.oxnardsalsafestival.com or by calling [phone].

- N.H.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (Ben & Jerry's ice cream)

(2 -- color) no caption (book: ``Better Than Homemade: Amazing Foods That Changed the Way We Eat'')

(3 -- color) no caption (Salsa Festival cartoon)

(4 -- color) no caption (Nestle Flavorologist)