SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 7/16/2018

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

Bigs Taco Bell Taco Supreme Sunflower Seeds

Bigs Taco Bell Taco Supreme Sunflower Seeds

(Spotted by Robbie at Circle K.)

Larabar Chocolate Truffles

Larabar Chocolate Truffles

Larabar Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Larabar Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

(Spotted by Carla and Amanda Y at Target.)

The Better Chip Beet  Flax

The Better Chip Jalapeno & Cilantro

The Better Chip Kale  Chia

The Better Chip Kale & Chia

The Better Chip Sweet Potato Plantain

The Better Chip Sweet Potato Plantain

The Better Chip Beet  Flax

The Better Chip Beet & Flax

(Spotted by Rachel T at Woodman’s Markets.)

Honey Maid Justice League Graham Snacks 12 Pack

Honey Maid Justice League Graham Snacks 12-Pack

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Target.)

Nasoya Toss ables  Balsamic Vinaigrette and Garlic  Herb

Nasoya Toss’ables (Balsamic Vinaigrette and Garlic & Herb)

(Spotted by Rachel T at Woodman’s Markets.)

Idahoan Cheddar  Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Idahoan Cheddar & Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

(Spotted by Anastey L at Walmart.)

Amy s Bowls Asian Dumplings in a Savory Hoisin Sauce

Amy’s Bowls Asian Dumplings in a Savory Hoisin Sauce

(Spotted by Jarred at Target.)

Live Kombucha Cola Doctor Root Beer and Orange Kombucha

Live Kombucha Cola, Doctor, Root Beer, and Orange Kombucha

I’ve seen these in expensive bottles. Now I’ve seen them in expensive cans. (Spotted by Anastey L at Walmart.)

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 want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Breyers New York Style Cheesecake Strawberry

Breyers New York Style Cheesecake Strawberry

Goodbye, Breyers Blasts Sara Lee Strawberry Cheesecake Frozen Dairy Dessert! Hello, Breyers New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake Frozen Dairy Dessert. (Spotted by Bob K at Walmart.)

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.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED AT THE 2018 SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW (SWEETS EDITION)

Spotted on Shelves is showing off what was in the aisles at this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show (FFS) in New York City. I scoped out new products from familiar brands and interesting things from up-and-coming companies.

As is the nature of trade shows like this, I was plied with free samples and the occasional tote bag. This did not affect what was chosen to appear in this column or my opinions of the products, but it did affect my waistline.

FFS is a great place to indulge one’s sweet tooth. I marveled at all the different ways sugar was used – candy, cakes, jellies, even coffees. You kinda need a sugar high to get through the miles and miles of exhibitor booths. Here are a few interesting sweets unearthed in those aisles.

Candy Kittens Gourmet Sweets – Wild Strawberry, Eton Mess, Blueberry Bliss, Sour Watermelon, and Peach Fizz

Sweets01

Sweets02

I’m a sucker for cats. A cat-shaped gummy candy? I’m dying. I tried the Sour Watermelon flavor, which was a pleasant, low-key version of a Sour Patch Watermelon. The Eton Mess variety, named after Britain’s meringue/whipped cream/strawberry dessert, was a not-too-sweet strawberry and cream without the sugar coating.

Available at CostPlus World Market starting in August.

Loacker Blueberry Yogurt Crispy Wafers and Quadratini Blueberry Yogurt Bite Size Wafer Cookies

Sweets03

Sweets04

Sweets05

Loacker’s new Blueberry Yogurt wafer bites keep the well-known and loved wafer formula with the filling this time being a deep fruity blueberry with a dash of yogurt tang.

Available at retailers and grocery chains nationally starting now.

Jelly Belly Candy Cones Ice Cream Flavored Mellocreme Candy

Sweets06

Sweets07

Sweets08

Sweets09

I expected these to be gummy, but they’re candy corn! The package advertises that each piece is two flavors – the cone and the ice cream. It’s true! The cones tasted caramel-cone-y. The ice cream flavors were as promised, but reminded me of 80s-era aroma touchstones – scratch and sniff sticker chocolate and strawberry and Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers vanilla and mint. The orange was a bit more subtle and creamy that the rest.

Available in grocery stores and retailers starting now.

Biena Thin Mints Chickpea Snacks

Sweets10

Sweets11

These are chickpeas with a coating that perfectly mimics Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies in taste and velvety chocolate texture. The chickpeas added a new dimension of crunch and nuttiness, however. I didn’t love the combo (turns out I don’t really like chickpeas), but if you’re a fan of one of both of these elements, they’re worth a try.

Available in Whole Foods now.

Stonewall Kitchen Strawberry Lemonade Jelly and Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly

Sweets12

I usually love Stonewall Kitchen’s jellies, so I was excited to see these two new flavors at FFS. The Strawberry Lemonade, however, was a little too sedate for my taste – I was some lemonade pucker. The Hot Pepper Cranberry on the other hand, set my mouth on fire and I didn’t taste much cranberry (although with the 5-alarm going on in my head, it could have just gotten ignored).

Available in gourmet shops, select grocery stores and specialty retailers starting now.

Bailey’s Cappuccino – Irish Cream, Caramel, and Mint Mocha

Sweets13

Sweets14

I hate coffee. I intended to just take photos of this product, but the sales rep in the booth convinced me to try it. “Cappuccino? Pfffff,” I said. That guy should earn salesman of the year because I DID LIKE IT. It was sweet and milky and caramel-y – (hence it’s presence here on the sweets list!) nothing like the horror stuff I’ve tasted. I drank the whole sample. This product was released earlier this year in K-Cups and is now coming out in multi-serve instant bags. Just scoop into a cup and add hot water. There’s a technology in this that allows it to self-foam (I’m told it’s the only product on the market that does!) which was pretty cool. Score one for coffee.

Available in grocery stores starting in September.

Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake Bites

Sweets15

Sweets16

If you’ve traveled to anywhere tropical, you have definitely encountered Tortuga Rum Cakes. Perhaps you’ve purchased some at the airport 10 minutes before your flight home because, in your hotel room at 1 a.m., you ate the ones you bought in town to bring back for friends & family. Well, Tortuga must have cameras in my hotel, because they’re introducing rum cake bites – perfect for late night snacking beachside or back home. They’re individually wrapped, a little bigger than a quarter, and retain all the rum aroma and flavor of the original. They are a lot more moist, however.

Available at travel/airport retailers starting in July and will launch later as a variety pack for cruise ships and duty-free outlets.

QUICK REVIEW: Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal

Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal

What is it?

A new variety of Cheerios that combines Multi Grain Cheerios, whole oats, and real cinnamon. If you’re not familiar with the multi grain cereal, it’s made with five types of whole grains — oats, corn, rice, millet, and sorghum. It’s not the first cinnamon-flavored version of the cereal. Cinnamon Burst Cheerios came out back in 2011, which was very good, and, of course, there’s Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, one of the brand’s elder statesmen.

How is it?

Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal 2

It’s really good.

Although, I’m not surprised by that.

Cheerios has a good track record when it comes to cinnamon cereals, and I guess that comes down to the fact that the real stuff is used, not anything artificial. The level of flavor is just right, and it hides the fact that you’re eating some sorghum.

It’s not going to make you leave Cinnamon Toast Crunch for it, but it has enough of the sweet stuff that you might cheat on CTC once in a while. Shhhh! I won’t tell. I’ll keep in on the DL. The cinnamon doesn’t seem to wash off when in milk because the dairy at the bottom of my bowl was mostly devoid of the warm spice.

Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal 3

The oats provide a nice crunch that’s more noticeable the longer the cereal pieces sit in milk. Don’t think of the oats as the limp things in oatmeal. Instead, they’re more like the oats in a Nature Valley granola bar that resist the urge to head on over to Soggyville. Hence, the cereal’s name.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Sorghum is also used to make alcoholic beverages. Um, that’s it.

Conclusion:

Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal is an excellent addition to the line. Before trying it, I thought the oats wouldn’t do much, but they do provide a noticeable crunch boost. Its sweet spice flavor is great, but now I’d like to taste it on Chocolate Cheerios Cereal.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 15.2 oz. box
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) – 200 calories, 45 calories from fat, 4.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat, 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 140 milligrams of potassium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, 22 grams of other carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Cold Stone Creamery Sweet Cream Cream Puffs

Cold Stone Creamery Sweet Cream Cream Puffs

Cream Stone Creamery Sweet Cream Cream Puffs with Cream. (Spotted by Mary at Sam’s Club.)

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.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

Scroll to Top