Author: Holly

REVIEW: Pepsi Blue (2021)

Holly 32 Comments

Pepsi Blue 2021 Bottle

Nostalgia is a heck of a thing.

Sometimes it can drive us to make questionable decisions like almost buying a $160 17-year-old bottle of a discontinued soft drink. Luckily for me, Pepsi decided to do a re-released, limited run of Pepsi Blue hence saving me from a financial error as well as a trip to the doctor.

I had occasionally thought of the drink over the years and wondered if I had just imagined it (hence the eBay searches). But it is very real, and that the bizarrely satisfying flavor of berry cola was mine again to drink.

Pepsi Blue was a weird blip in the timeline of soft drinks. Having a US-wide release in 2002, it would only be around for a little under two years before being pulled from US markets. Described as “Berry with a splash of Cola,” its bright blue color along with unique flavor was another attempt by Pepsi to capture the youth market. You have to also appreciate this was the peak time where Britney Spears was the face of Pepsi.

If I’m being entirely honest, I probably wouldn’t have tried this back in the early aughts if not for my school board making a (highly controversial) deal with Pepsi to put vending machines in the schools. To help sweeten the deal, they did giveaways of their newest product to help win us over. The product? Pepsi Blue.

I tried to not get too excited as I raced home to try it. I had been disappointed by re-released or retooled products brought back to cash in on nostalgia (looking at you Coke with Coffee). I reassured myself it was probably going to taste different due to different ingredients and my own tastes changing. After delaying the inevitable, I went ahead and opened the bottle.

Pepsi Blue 2021 Glass

The smell immediately triggered a strong memory of my middle school cafeteria. The berry sugar smell instantly reminded me of the many hours spent sitting at the uncomfortable tables, trying to scribble down something for class while shoving undercooked tater tots in my face.

The first sip was overwhelming in the best way. It tasted exactly how I remembered. The sweet berry-cotton candy like flavor hits first, followed by the cola taste. It’s almost an indescribable flavor profile. It’s not a cola with berry flavor (like Wild Cherry Pepsi), but a berry flavor with a hint of cola.

The best way I could think to describe it is this: imagine berry-flavored cotton candy packed into a cup. Now take an original Pepsi and slowly drip a little into the cup, letting it dissolve the cotton candy. That’s probably about as close as you can get to explaining the flavor to someone who has never tried it.

Nostalgia and middle school memories aside, Pepsi Blue is an extremely sweet (like 138% of your recommended daily sugar sweet), but enjoyable one-of-a-kind treat. In all the years since trying it for the first time, nothing else has ever even come close to it. It is also wonderful that a re-released item lived up to my memory of it when so many others have failed.

According to Pepsi, it will have an extremely limited run. So I would recommend, if you are at all interested, to give it a try. I look forward to it being re-released in another 20 years where I can wax poetic about when I tried it again in my 30s.

Purchased Price: $1.98
Size: 20 oz bottle
Purchased at: Walmart Neighborhood Market
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 bottle) 260 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 69 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 69 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar

Holly 4 Comments

Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar Wrapper

What is the Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar?

After the Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar release in November, it was only a matter of time before we would see the popular sister cereal, Cocoa Pebbles, get its own candy bar. The chocolatey, crunchy, mini flaked cereal is sprinkled throughout a milk chocolate bar.
?

How is it?

Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar Top

Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar Bottom

While it’s been a while since I had a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, they have a distinct and unforgettable flavor. Unfortunately, they are pretty lost in the chocolate sauce (so to speak) with this candy bar. While there is a slight difference in taste, it essentially feels like a Nestle Crunch bar. There is a little more of a fudgy flavor than a Crunch bar, but it’s fairly subtle. It’s still a fine treat, but if you are a Cocoa Pebbles fanatic, I imagine it might disappoint. ?
Frankford Cocoa Pebbles Milk Chocolate Bar Split

When compared to the Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar, the Cocoa Pebbles variety is a weak sophomore attempt. The former managed to give you a balanced cereal and candy flavor profile, but the latter fails to stand out in both categories.

Anything else you need to know?

I think we’ve reached a point in history where kids only know Fred Flintstone as a cereal mascot, and that makes me feel old beyond belief. Excuse me while I look up night face creams on Amazon.

Conclusion:

While a fine middle-of-the-road chocolate bar, I doubt it will impress its target audience of Cocoa Pebble devotees. For the price, if you’re curious enough to try it, I say go for it. It’s novel and worth a try, but with literally dozens of higher quality chocolates at checkouts, it’s certainly not going to be my go-to. With the Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar being a home run, it’s a shame this one didn’t quite reach the same level of excellence.

Purchased Price: $1.34
Size: 2.75 oz
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 bar) 140 calories, 8 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 grams of fiber, 14 gram of sugar, and 2 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Starbucks Cold & Crafted Coffee Drinks

Holly 3 Comments

Starbucks Cold Crafted Coffee Drinks Bottles

Even though Starbucks first brought cold brew coffee to its cafe menu in 2015, it seems to have really exploded in recent years. Cold brew coffee is, as the title would suggest, brewed in cold water (usually 24-48 hrs) as opposed to the more traditional, heated way. This process makes the coffee less acidic and gives it a much more smooth, sweet flavor profile. So it makes sense that Starbucks would want to expand its ready-to-drink (RTD) offerings to include more cold brew options.

Interestingly, the newest trio isn’t its first attempt at RTD cold brew. A few years back, it introduced an RTD Cold Brew in a very odd looking brown bottle. I remember buying it and thinking that, at a glance, it might be mistaken for a Red Stripe beer.

Coming in Coffee Sweetened Black, Coffee + Splash of Milk & Vanilla, and Coffee + Splash of Milk & Mocha, the Cold & Crafted line offers fairly standard flavor options. I imagine if these prove popular, we might see them get the seasonal treatment (PSL or Peppermint Mocha) later in the year. For now, let’s take a look at what is currently available.

Coffee Sweetened Black

Starbucks Cold Crafted Coffee Drinks Black

“Super-smooth Starbucks coffee. Sweetened to perfection.”

Of the flavors, this was the one I was most interested in. While I enjoy my fluffy coffee drinks, the bottled versions sometimes err on the side of way too sweet. However, I was hoping the use of cold brew over iced coffee might make the flavor more balanced. As to be expected with the simple black sweetened black coffee, it came as advertised. The smooth richness of the cold brew was complemented by the sugar. It was a perfect amount of sweetness that didn’t overpower the drink.

Of the three, it ended up being my favorite. I could absolutely see myself grabbing this at a gas station for a quick pick me up.

Purchased Price: $2.28
Size: 11 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutritional Facts: (11oz bottle) 50 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 0 gram of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, 1 grams of protein, and 135 milligrams of caffeine.

Coffee + Splash of Milk & Vanilla

Starbucks Cold Crafted Coffee Drinks Vanilla

“Super-smooth Starbucks coffee. Just-right vanilla flavor. Plus a splash of milk”

The dark horse of the three, I found the vanilla variety to be quite delicious. Generally speaking, I rarely have vanilla-flavored coffee drinks. Not out of a strong dislike, but the artificial vanilla flavoring sometimes is just too overpowering. Luckily, in this case, it was just enough to add to the coffee without taking over. The vanilla had a very mild profile that works well with the full-bodied cold brew. The addition of the milk served to make it a well-rounded drink.

Some bottled drinks go overboard to try and cover the coffee flavor, but all the elements in this one worked very well.

Purchased Price: $2.28
Size: 11 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutritional Facts: (11oz bottle) 90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 1 grams of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 0 gram of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein, and 125 milligrams of caffeine.

Coffee + Splash of Milk & Mocha

Starbucks Cold Crafted Coffee Drinks Mocha
?“Super-smooth Starbucks coffee. Just-right mocha flavor. Plus a splash of milk.”

While all three were quite good, the Mocha one was easily the weakest of the trio. I thought I’d like it more than the vanilla since mocha tends to be my go-to when getting flavor in my coffee, but it just wasn’t quite right.

Unlike the Vanilla, where the addition of the vanilla and milk to the coffee made for a level drinking experience, the elements in this one stand out in a weird way. Upon the first sip, the coffee and milk are strong with the mocha coming in last. The mocha has a more artificial flavor than I’m used to in Starbucks drinks. It was a little one-note and, as best I can say, “chocolate-ish.”

It would be a fine way to get a quick caffeine boost in a pinch, but if I have a choice of the Sweetened Black or Vanilla, I’m going for those before the Mocha.

Purchased Price: $2.28
Size: 11 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutritional Facts: (11oz bottle) 90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 1 grams of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein, and 125 milligrams of caffeine.

Overall, I think these are a solid showing for Starbucks trying to bring cold brew to a wider audience. While they won’t ever compete with that handcrafted goodness you get going to a Starbucks, they are absolutely worth having on hand for those mornings when you are rushed or even lazy Sundays when you just want to sip some coffee goodness with minimal work. Hopefully, they do well enough to get seasonal flavorings.

Starbucks Cold Crafted Coffee Drinks Voltron

Oh, and if you are wondering if I mixed them together to create a Voltron of Starbucks Cold Brew, yes…yes, I did. Would I recommend it? Not necessarily. Would I potentially pour all three into a 32-ounce cup to sip while driving long distances? Yet to be seen.

REVIEW: Lay’s Kettle Cooked Extra Potato Chips

Holly 9 Comments

Lay s Kettle Cooked Extra Potato Chips Bags

What are Lay’s Kettle Cooked Extra Potato Chips?

Two new additions have been released within the Lay’s Kettle Cooked chip line: Extra in Honey Habanero flavor and Extreme Cheddar flavor. Not a lot of information exists other than they are supposed to be EXTRA crunchy and have EXTRA flavor.

How are they?

Kettle chips are already crunchier than your average chip due to their thickness and cooking process, so I was curious about how much more crunchy they could be.

Spoiler alert: a pretty unperceivable amount.

They seemed pretty much the same level of crunch as the non-EXTRA branded chips. They are still fairly crunchy, but I would advise you to set your expectations low as to them being more crunchy than standard kettle chips.

Lay s Kettle Cooked Extra Potato Chips Honey Habanero

Of the two flavors, the Honey Habanero was the one I was most excited about. I really enjoy the mixture of sweetness (honey in particular) to spicy things. It usually adds such a richness to the spicy peppers. The initial spicy pepper flavor is followed by a very subtle sweetness. That vivid honey flavor I had hoped for just wasn’t there.

Compared to the Flamin’ Hot flavored items, these are fairly tame. They certainly have a kick, but not burn your face off level. A perfectly fine spicy chip on its own, but with the lack of honey flavor standing out, it just wasn’t what I had hoped for.

Lay s Kettle Cooked Extra Potato Chips Extreme Cheddar

Even though I had lower expectations for the Extreme Cheddar one (What makes it extreme? Does it skateboard? Is that still considered extreme?!), it ended up being the better of the two. Eating it, I was immediately reminded of another item. I realize this might be extremely niche, but if you’ve ever had the TGI Fridays Potato Skins Snacks, these were EXACTLY how I remember them. A robust cheesy flavor with a sour cream finish, these are a solid chip.

Anything else you need to know?

Kettle chips weren’t created until 1982. Well, chances are they were around, but they became a more mass-produced product in 1982.

Conclusion:

If these had been presented as two new flavors under the regular Lay’s Kettle line, I might’ve given them a higher rating as they are perfectly fine kettle chips. But they fail to deliver as the advertised EXTRA: no real extra crunch or extra flavor.

Purchased Price: $2.98 each
Size: 7 3/4 oz bags
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Honey Habanero), 6 out of 10 (Extreme Cheddar)
Nutrition Facts: (about 15 chips) Honey Habanero – 150 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Extreme Cheddar – 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 grams of fiber, 1 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Avocado Toast

Holly 6 Comments

Dunkin Avocado Toast Full

What is Dunkin’s Avocado Toast?

Better late than never, Dunkin’ tries to court millennials with the ever popular avocado toast. Dunkin’s version has a piece of toasted sourdough bread as the base, topped with avocado spread (made with four ingredients: avocado, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice), and finished with a hearty sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, and garlic).

How is it?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Toasted

Avocado toast is a tricky thing to nail. Yes, it seems simple, but it can go bad very quickly. Dunkin’s iteration sits in that “firm middle of the road” category. It isn’t good, nor is it bad. It’s just okay. The sourdough provides a good base for the item. Thoroughly toasted, it holds up well to the spread and keeps its structural integrity.

Dunkin Avocado Toast Split

The avocado spread is certainly better than most spreads I’ve had, but the lemon flavor will come on strong every few bites. It’s not necessarily unpleasant, but it’s not a flavor I associate with avocado toast. Of course, I understand the necessity of lemon to help the avocado stay stable and not turn brown.

The everything bagel seasoning does most of the heavy lifting flavor-wise. The strong flavors of the garlic and onion bits make the lemon less pungent. I can say with pretty strong confidence that the item would be rated much lower without the seasoning.

Anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Cut

The item was relatively light for a breakfast item on its own. After the fact, I cursed myself for not getting some of Dunkin’s snacking bacon. I think that might make it a little more substantial, and I’d be curious how the bacon worked with the spread.

You can also buy the spread separately to add to other Dunkin’ items if you so want.

Conclusion:

Dunkin’s Avocado Toast is a solid try at a popular item. It’s not going to wow you if you’re looking for the flavor of pure avocado, but works well as a very light breakfast/snack. It’s a nice change from the more traditional breakfast offerings at Dunkin’ that can sometimes be heavy on the stomach.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 piece) 240 calories, 11 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 530 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.