Salsa has reportedly passed ketchup as America's favorite condiment, and the selection of ready-made salsas is staggering.

The taste panel explored one subcategory of the group - green salsas - dipping into eight brands purchased at local supermarkets. The results were mixed, to say the least: The favorite salsa, a newcomer on the local scene, got enough points to fit into the excellent category, but four of the eight products sampled got ratings of 25 points or less - a deplorable showing.

The star of the group was Arriba! (16 ounces, $3.29), which we found at Andronico's. It was called fresh tasting, pleasantly hot and chunky. There were comments on a distinct roasted tomatillo flavor, and one panelist simply wrote, "great taste." All five tasters would buy it.

A respectable second-place vote went to an old-timer. Old El Paso (16-ounces, $2.29 to $2.43) was given good marks on chunky texture and lively color. Most tasters were pleased by its moderately spicy flavor, though one commented that the aftertaste seemed thin. Three of the five judges would buy it and the remaining two said maybe.

There was a big rating drop to third-placed Herdez (seven ounces, 93 cents to 99 cents), which did not match the robust texture of the two front-runners, being called mushy and a bit watery. The taste was variously described as salty or vinegary and "not real great." Two panelists might buy it.

Yet another precipitous drop led to fourth-place Las Guitarras (16 ounces, $3.49), which did gain favorable comments on its appealing deep green color and chunky texture.

Unfortunately, the flavor did not match the looks and was called strange, garlicky, sweet, artificial and resembling canned spinach. None of the tasters would purchase this brand.

The remaining four salsa, in descending order of points, were Parrot Brand, Embasa, La Victoria and La Tortilla Factory. Other products from several of these companies did well in past taste tests, but the panel's recommendation on their green salsas is "back to the test kitchen."