Marvo, Author at The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Angie’s Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn

December 11, 2015October 20, 2022 Marvo 3 Comments

Every time I see a bag of Angie’s kettle corn with the words “BOOM CHICKA POP” in gigantic type, 70’s porn music pops into my head. Why? Because “bow chicka wow wow” is like the emoji for porn movie music.

But I did not buy Angie’s Holidrizzle Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn because of the porn music bumpin’ in my head. I bought it because there hasn’t been an Angie’s Holidrizzle flavor that’s disappointed me, and I thought this flavor would continue that streak.

And you’ve probably figured out that by ending the previous paragraph with that sentence, I’ve pretty much told you I did not care for this hot cocoa and marshmallow-flavored kettle corn.

Opening the bag brings out a pleasant Cracker Jack—like aroma, but one opened bag and two minutes later I asked myself, “Where did Angie’s go wrong?”

The front of the bag says, “contains nothing but ingredients you’ll love.” Cane sugar…love. Popcorn…love. Sunflower oil…like. Palm kernel oil…like. Nonfat dry milk…like. Cocoa powder…love. Sea salt…love. Natural flavors…not sure what they are. Soy lecithin…I could go either way.

So I love most of its ingredients, but I don’t love its flavor. It just doesn’t taste right. It doesn’t come close to tasting anything like hot cocoa and marshmallows. At times, there’s a flavor that reminds me of toffee. But at other times, there’s a flavor that I would describe as sweet plastic. Maybe the kettle corn’s flavor is an abstract interpretation of hot cocoa and marshmallows, and the sweet plasticiness represents the marshmallow and its pliability.

Where does this sweet plastic flavor come from? My guess is that I should be blaming the chocolate drizzle, which fortunately wasn’t liberally drizzled over the kettle corn. But once the chocolate drizzle melts away, it tastes like standard kettle corn.

Angie’s Holidrizzle Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn isn’t gross enough to make me throw away four-fifths of the bag, go back to Target to demand my money back, or use it as coal in a Christmas stocking to punish the naughty. After all, I did end up finishing the bag, albeit slowly. But out of all the new hot cocoa-flavored products I’ve tried this year, this has got to be my least favorite.

(Nutrition Facts – 1.5 cups – 140 calories, 70 calories from fat, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 3.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Item: Angie’s Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn
Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: 4.5 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 3 out of 10
Pros: Not totally gross. Least favorite hot cocoa-flavored product I’ve tried this season. Contains ingredients that I love.
Cons: Doesn’t taste like hot cocoa and marshmallows. At times it has a sweet plastic flavor. Having 70’s porn music pop up in my head every time I see a bag of Angie’s popcorn.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 12/11/2015

December 11, 2015January 4, 2021 Marvo 1 Comment

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Perry’s Limited Edition Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream

Oh, Perry’s. Why are you so Verry’s far away from me? (Spotted by Chris B at Wegmans.)

Trader Joe’s Wintertide Tea Cookie Collection

I see you again, hot cocoa! Fall/Winter 2015: The Season of Hot Cocoa. (Spotted by Chris B at Trader Joe’s.)

Giant Limited Time Originals Break ‘n Bake Peppermint Sugar Cookies

What would happen if one decided to bake ‘n break these instead? (Spotted by Blaire at Giant.)

Wish Bone Creamy Tomato Basil Dressing

Something not sweet. (Spotted by Rebecca W at ShopRite.)

Quest Bar Pumpkin Pie Protein Bar

Back to something sweet. Junk Banter has a review. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

Also, if you’re wondering if we’ve already covered something, search our Flickr photos or use the search box on the right (or below if you’re on a mobile device) to find out.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Herr’s Crunchy Cocoa & Marshmallow Corn Snacks

December 10, 2015March 8, 2023 Marvo 5 Comments

These in a mixing bowl with a serving spoon and a pint of milk equals awesome Instagram photo. (Spotted by Chris B at Target.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

FAST FOOD NEWS: Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Steakhouse Thickburger

December 10, 2015January 4, 2021 Marvo 4 Comments

SteakhouseThickburger

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s announced their newest meat, cheese, and bread creation, the Steakhouse Thickburgers.

The new Steakhouse Thickburgers are available with either a 1/3 lb. or 1/2 lb. charbroiled, 100 percent Black Angus beef patty that topped with A.1. Steak Sauce, crumbled blue cheese, crispy onion strings, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise on the chains’ Fresh Baked Buns.

Wait a minute…I feel as if I’ve written this before.

(searches site)

I guess I have. (By the way, compare the photo above with the photo from the link.)

The 1/3 lb. burger is available for $5.59 and the 1/2 pound for $6.79. Either one can be ordered as a combo meal with fries and a drink starting at $8.09.

The Carl’s Jr. version with a 1/3 lb. patty has 1040 calories, 67 grams of fat, 20 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of trans fat, 105 milligrams of cholesterol, 2070 milligrams of sodium, 73 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 31 grams of protein.

If you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it in the comments.

(Image via Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s)

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 12/10/2015

December 10, 2015January 4, 2021 Marvo 1 Comment

Limited Edition Star Wars Popchips

What’s stronger than The Force? The desire for companies to put Star Wars characters on their product’s packaging. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Market Pantry Frosted Sugar Cookie Ice Cream

Market Pantry Winter Mint Sundae Cone

Frosted sugar cookie ice cream would’ve been really good in a sugar cone. (Spotted by Nicole W at Target.)

thinkThin Limited Edition Holiday Cinnamon Protein & Fiber Bars

Soooo…Holiday Cinnamon is just cinnamon, right? (Spotted by Elizabeth L at Target.)

Entenmann’s Seasonal Favorites Apple Cinnamon Muffins Little Bites

Oh, Entenmann’s! You made my Entenmann’s Flickr album grow so big this year. Never stop doing what you’re doing. But do stop putting products that were introduced a year ago into packaging that says “new.” (Spotted by Chris B at ShopRite.)

Rold Gold White Dipped Honey Braided Twists

Some of you might be thinking, “Hey, doesn’t Rold Gold already have White Dipped Honey Braided Twists?” Yes, but this one has **sprinkles**! (Spotted by Jonathan C at Walmart.)