SPOTTED: Twix Shakers Seasoning Blend
Update: We tried it! Click here to read our review.
The bottle is obviously missing the following: Top eggs, rice, baked potatoes, vegetables, or cheese. (Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
REVIEW: Candy Corn Red Vines
What are Candy Corn Red Vines?
Everyone’s favorite* red licorice** is now orange! But not only is the color new, but it also tastes like candy corn. (Supposedly.)
*Favorite unless you prefer Twizzlers, or Wallaby, or. . .
**OK, it’s not technically licorice, but who cares?
How are they?
So, what do Candy Corn Red Vines taste like?
Nothing.
Well, that’s not quite true. They taste like marshmallows. Which also taste like nothing.
I had some Brach’s candy corn to go with these Orange Vines, and the candy corn was positively flavorful in comparison. Let that sink in: these twists make candy corn taste flavorful.
Texture-wise, these are like regular Red Vines. They are chewy, and I feel like I want to eat several, but once I finish one, it feels like I’ve already had two or three.
Anything else you need to know?
The ingredients list includes “natural and artificial flavor.” For the life of me, I can’t figure out what that could possibly be.
I can remember a lot of candy corn products from roughly a decade ago: Hershey’s Kisses (2007), Tootsie Dots (2009), Jones Soda (2009), M&Ms (2011), Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (2011), Oreo (2012), Charms Pops (2013), Hershey’s bars (2014), Jet-Puffed Marshmallows (2014), Spangler Circus Peanuts (2014), Peeps (2015), Hostess CupCakes (2015), Russell Stover Pumpkin (2018), and Pez (2018?).
I’m happy to revive the trend (if only for the novelty), but I wish Red Vines had brought a stronger offering.
Conclusion:
Well, at least they’re not gross. They’re just bland.
Purchased Price: $1.25
Size: 4 oz. package
Purchased at: Dick’s
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3 Twists) 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar including 12 grams of added sugar, and 1 gram of protein.
REVIEW: Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato
Update 9/2/22: We also tried the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato! Click here to read our review.
What is the Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato?
Move over, Pumpkin Spice Latter, there’s a new fall drink in town. Recently added to the menu is the Apple Crisp Macchiato, available either hot or iced. Espresso is added to milk, with a spiced apple drizzle on top. You’ll also find the flavor of an Apple Brown Sugar Syrup.
How is it?
Let me start with a story. I’ve always understood that you do not stir a macchiato. After the espresso is layered on the milk, you let it naturally settle as you sip. A year or so ago, I mobile ordered an Iced Caramel Macchiato and sent my husband in to get it while I stayed in the car with our infant son. I gave him the explicit instructions NOT to stir the drink. Five minutes later, he walks out, and what is he doing? You guessed it. Shaking the drink around like it’s his job. Lesson learned: I go in and get the drink myself. (And he doesn’t live it down!)
I share this story because it’s one of the reasons the Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato fell flat for me. When I got the drink, I could visibly see the Spiced Apple Drizzle and Apple Brown Sugar Syrup at the very bottom of the cup. And although that’s how macchiatos are constructed, unless I were to stir my iced beverage, there was no distribution of the flavor. I would have preferred the apple evenly distributed throughout the macchiato. I didn’t get a hint of apple until about 25% of the way through the drink. When I did get to taste the drizzle at the bottom, it was syrupy sweet. But overall, this really felt too similar in taste to the standard caramel version.
What I did like, though, was the hint of spice. It did make it feel like a fall drink that could be a nice alternative for folks who aren’t PSL fans. I’d like to try the Apple Brown Sugar Syrup in a regular iced caffe latte and see if that brings out more of the flavor.
Anything else you need to know?
Two other cons for me: The Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato has A LOT of sugar (hello, 36 grams in a tall) and was A LOT of money for a tall. Just be prepared that your waistline and wallet may not like you if you’re a fan of these.
Conclusion:
Just meh. Had higher hopes. I’m curious to see if the hot macchiato translates the same way… I’ll just have to add it to my list.
Purchased Price: $4.75
Size: Tall
Purchased at: Starbucks
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 210 calories, 4 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 36 grams of total sugars, 7 grams of protein, and 75 milligrams of caffeine.
SPOTTED – 8/26/2021
Here are some interesting new 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.
(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)
(Spotted by Tommy at Shaw’s)
(Spotted by Rachel J at Fred Meyer.)
(Spotted by Rachel J at Fred Meyer.)
REVIEW: Nestle Coffee mate New Fall 2021 Coffee Creamer Flavors
If you don’t follow the coffee creamer universe, fall is one of the seasons when we see new varieties from Nestle Coffee mate. This year, the brand brings us two of them — Natural Bliss Cinnamon Swirl Latte and Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice Oat Milk Creamer.
Oh, you were hoping for pecan pie a la mode or candied yams with marshmallows? That’s not happening this year.
Natural Bliss Cinnamon Swirl Latte
When I see “cinnamon” it a coffee creamer’s name, I automatically think of the bold Big Red gum-like flavor I’ve tasted with previous cinnamon-heavy creamers. But when I took a sip of cold brew coffee with several splashes of this, the cinnamon wasn’t like that at all. It’s milder than I was expecting. I don’t know if this will make sense, but the milk and cream do more of the magic of hiding the coffee than the cinnamon. Actually, on second thought, that makes sense since this has “latte” in its name.
Being part of the “Natural Bliss” line means no artificial colors or flavors, no rBST treated cows, and an ingredients list that I can quickly type right now, and it won’t have one-word ingredients with double-digit letters — nonfat milk, heavy cream, cane sugar, and natural flavor. Yup, that’s it. Oh, according to the bottle, that natural cinnamon flavor comes from real cinnamon sticks.
This isn’t a unique variety, but it’s an enjoyable refrigerated cinnamon coffee creamer that’s all-natural. It’s something that’s been lacking from the Natural Bliss line, although I’m disappointed it’s not permanent.
Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 32 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Received from Nestle
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 tbsp) 35 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 5 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of sugar, 4 grams of added sugar, and 0 grams of protein.
Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice Oat Milk Creamer
If you’ve had Coffee mate’s Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice dairy creamer, which has been out for several years now, you’ll have an idea of what this tastes like.
It has the pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors that you’d expect. When I drink it straight, like any normal human being would when faced with a new creamer, it reminds me of pumpkin pie. Also, this may be my taste buds’ wishful tasting, but when consuming it on its own, they think the oat milk kind of adds a flavor that could be described as pie crust-like.
When added to my cold brew, the usual seasonal flavors come through (although not the pie crust), but does it in a way that’s vegan, cholesterol-free, lactose-free, carrageenan-free, and gluten-free with no artificial colors or flavors too. If you’re looking for a non-dairy pumpkin spice creamer, this is a darn tasty choice.
Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 32 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Received from Nestle
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 tbsp) 30 calories, 1 gram of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, 4 grams of added sugar, and 0 grams of protein.
DISCLOSURE: I received free samples of the products. Thanks, Nestle! Doing so did not influence my review.