Is it just me or do those double chocolate chip cookies make those M&M’s look HUGE. (Spotted by Robbie at Kroger Marketplace.)
SPOTTED – 5/19/2022
Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.
(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart Neighborhood Market.)
(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
(Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)
(Spotted by Bob K at Walmart.)
Member’s Mark Lemon Blueberry Soft Baked Clusters[/caption]
(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
(Spotted by Amanda Y at Kroger.)
(Spotted by Amanda Y at Kroger.)
(Spotted by @DaleMethod at TJ Maxx.)
REVIEW: Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade
What is Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade?
Over the past several years, Canada Dry has made our summers a bit less ginger ale-y and a bit more ginger ade-y with new citrusy flavors. So far, the brand has combined its tummy-soothing moneymaker with lemonade, orangeade, and limeade. Since there are no more single-word untrademarkable beverages that end with -ade, this year, raspberry lemonade gets to do a beverage do-si-do with the popular soft drink.
How is it?
It smells completely unremarkable. However, its flavor makes up for its lack of an alluring aroma. Though, if you’re a huge fan of lemonade, this one might be a little disappointing because it’s hard to detect it. The raspberry flavoring, which brings Lipton Brisk Raspberry Iced Tea to mind, is definitely noticeable, but it muddles everything, making the citrus flavor almost non-existent. There is a slight sourness, but that could be mistaken as the lemonade or berry flavoring. Basically, if you told me this was raspberry ginger ale, I wouldn’t doubt you. I know there has been a raspberry-flavored Canada Dry, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t compare.
With that said, it’s a pleasant and refreshing beverage, but it didn’t blow my mind as much as Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale and Lemonade did when I first tried it. Maybe after three other vADEriations, the novelty of these citrusy ales has worn off.
Look, I’ll happily drink all twelve cans I purchased. Actually, it’s eleven due to a shipping issue that involved the twelfth can leaking while in the hands of the USPS.
Anything else you need to know?
Like all other Canada Dry Ginger Ale mixed with a citrus beverage that ends with an -ade, there’s a minuscule amount of juice and no caffeine.
Conclusion:
Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade is a nice addition to the summer beverage line, but it’s not as good as the lemonade and orangeade versions (I haven’t tried the limeade one). But now I’m curious to know what -ade comes next.
Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 oz cans/12 pack
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, 50 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 36 grams of sugar (including 36 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.
REVIEW: Mexican Street Corn Pringles
What are Mexican Street Corn Pringles?
Pringles has once again said, “You want a new potato crisp that tastes like a potato crisp? Too bad!” and dropped the can with crujientes de papa that taste like Mexican street corn, a food cart treat consisting of a grilled ear of corn slathered in mayonnaise, crema, cotija cheese, chile powder, cilantro, and lime.
How are they?
Okay, that was harsh. I admit I’ve been having some “food that tastes like other food” fatigue. But my fond memories of the Reuben-flavored Pringles allowed me to give the brand a pass and look forward to this variety. In the can, they smelled like a standard, albeit mild, barbecue chip.
Since the label all but asks me to compare: elote, it’s not-eh. But what it is is a tremendously flavorful and eatable snack with powerful bright lime, subtle creaminess, a hint of spice, and a gently persistent smokey tang throughout. There is a specific sweetness that evokes corn niblets, but it was inconsistent bite to bite, and the strong potato taste of the crisp stood in the way.
There was also a bit of cheesiness that reminded me of the classic cheddar cheese Pringles (which, to age myself, I always mistakenly call Cheez Ums… RIP Cheez Ums). I do wish there was more of a mayonnaise-like fattiness to stand up to the tart and sweet notes; that balance has always been my favorite part of street corn and esquites.
Some may find these Pringles to be underdressed, but I prefer a lighter dusting when the flavors are so bold, so I was very happy with the distribution on each crisp.
Anything else you need to know?
If you eat a whole crisp at a time, the acidic lime in the seasoning may irritate the edges of your mouth. It didn’t slow me down but probably should have.
Conclusion:
Unlike the Reuben Pringles, which were so spot on I was able to give a Violet Beauregarde-style description of each sandwich ingredient I was tasting as I ate them, the Mexican Street Corn Pringles would be better described as street corn inspired, not flavored. I reckon anyone who likes the ingredients of Mexican street corn would like these crisps, but don’t expect them to satisfy any cravings you may have for the real thing. This fatigued snacker is going to just ignore the name on the can and enjoy the crisps for what they are: delicious.
Purchased Price: $1.79
Size: 5.5 oz (158g)
Purchased at: Big Y (while in MA; still trying to track these down in L.A.)
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz/28g, about 14 crisps) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of total sugars, <1 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein.
BACK ON SHELVES: Limited Edition Lucky Charms Just Magical Marshmallows (2022)
I received samples of last year’s Lucky Charms Magical Marshmallows. They sat in the fancy box they came in for months. I eventually opened it and learned I had two months to consume seven bags of them. I gave away one to someone who asked on Instagram for one after posting a photo of them and another bag was completely stale because one of its seams ripped. But I ate the rest before the Best By date, putting it on regular Cheerios and whatever cereals I received or purchased at the beginning of the year. Still not sick of Lucky Charms, though. (Spotted by Robbie at Target.)