{"id":32232,"date":"2018-10-15T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/?p=32232"},"modified":"2021-01-22T21:28:25","modified_gmt":"2021-01-23T07:28:25","slug":"mac-and-cheese-candy-canes-clamdy-canes-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2018\/10\/15\/mac-and-cheese-candy-canes-clamdy-canes-review\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Archie McPhee Clamdy Canes and Mac & Cheese Candy Canes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Archie<\/p>\n

Except for starting with the third letter of the alphabet, there is no reason whatsoever for clams and candy canes to go together. But don\u2019t tell that to the folks at Archie McPhee, a Seattle-based company that specializes in all things weird, including candy canes. They have unleashed a diabolical digestive debacle known as the Clamdy Cane (yes, it\u2019s clam-flavored candy).<\/p>\n

\"Archie<\/p>\n

The company also birthed a sibling, a slightly less heinous mac & cheese-flavored variety, which joined a candy cane family<\/a> that already included bacon, pickle, rotisserie chicken, coal (apparently smoke and cinnamon-flavored) and Krampus (also cinnamon). <\/p>\n

For this review of the two new flavors, I tackled the challenge with equal parts excitement and fear. I consider myself to be open-minded about a great many things, including trying unique foods. Even so, it was hard not to be a little concerned that these would be biblically bad. <\/p>\n

With that said, let\u2019s establish that this review is not really about if these, particularly the clammy concoction, taste \u201cgood.\u201d You don\u2019t buy barf-flavored jelly beans or turkey and gravy soda because you think it will be delicious (trust me, it\u2019s not), you buy it so you can say you did and that you tried it. So I did, and I did. <\/p>\n

Clamdy Canes<\/h3>\n

\"Archie<\/p>\n

The McPhee website says Clamdy Canes are \u201cgray and white.” However, I found that woefully insufficient and humbly suggest a more accurate white and \u201cdirty paint water.\u201d I know, that probably won\u2019t fit on a crayon, but I couldn\u2019t help thinking the color looked like that nasty slurry after you\u2019ve rinsed a paint brush a dozen times. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m happy to report that the Clamdy Canes do taste better than dirty paint water (don\u2019t ask how I know), but it\u2019s not exactly a convincing victory. Surprisingly, there was not much of a smell to these, at least at first. If you really try, you can get a whiff of something if you almost put it up your nose. I couldn\u2019t place the smell, but I wouldn\u2019t call it pleasant. Oddly, after a few licks, the scent comes out, and it\u2019s still not pleasant. I wouldn\u2019t say it smells like clams; it reminded me of warm, flat beer. <\/p>\n

As for the taste, it wasn\u2019t bad, and it was certainly better than I thought it would be. There was a hint of a fishy-like taste, but it wasn\u2019t overwhelming or off-putting. It had a subtler sweetness compared to a traditional candy cane, and after you get past the initial thought of \u201cewww, I\u2019m eating a clam-flavored candy cane,\u201d it was palatable.<\/p>\n

But I was a little disappointed that it didn\u2019t taste a bit clammier and grosser. Instead, it was almost like one of those mucous-colored hard candies you see sitting in a bowl on a reception desk that you grab because you can\u2019t pass up free candy. You pop one in your mouth but have no idea what flavor it is and would struggle to describe it to someone. <\/p>\n

Did I finish the whole Clamdy Cane? No, but if I didn\u2019t have the mac & cheese flavor to look forward to I could have. <\/p>\n

Mac & Cheese Candy Canes<\/h3>\n

The mac & cheese variety had the same sneaky lack of smell at first until after my tongue caressed it. For this one, the smell is spot-on, at least for the fluorescent orange powered mac & cheese in a box, not your grandma\u2019s homemade stuff. <\/p>\n

\"Archie<\/p>\n

But for as much as it nailed the smell, the taste was a letdown. If not for the aroma and the packaging, I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d even be able to place it as mac & cheese. Like the clam one, the flavor wasn\u2019t bad. It had a nice, mild sweetness to it, but no real discernible taste and not one that reminds you of creamy, cheesy dish. The best description I can do is if you licked a regular candy cane and swirled it around Fun Dip-style in a bag of Cheetos. <\/p>\n

\"Archie<\/p>\n

Overall, it\u2019s tricky to score these. On taste alone, they are not bad, but neither one hits the mark as far as what was advertised on the box, though it could be argued that\u2019s a good thing, particularly for the Clamdy Canes. And I do give Archie McPhee points for coming up with a couple of new flavors that stand out in a crowded field of crazy candy concoctions. So as a tasty treat that satisfies your craving for mac & cheese or clams, these are a hard pass. But as a fun holiday gift or prank, even Santa might be tempted to have a box or two on hand.<\/p>\n

(Nutrition Facts – Not listed on package.)<\/small><\/p>\n

Purchased Price:<\/b> $5.95 each (plus $4.95 total shipping)
\nSize:<\/b> 3.8 oz. box for a 6 pack
\nPurchased at:<\/b> mcphee.com
\nRating:<\/b> 5 out of 10 (Clamdy)
\nRating:<\/b> 4 out of 10 (Mac & Cheese)
\nPros:<\/b> Not nearly as disgusting as you might expect. Would work well for those stupid gift exchanges at work or among family.
\n
\nCons:<\/b> Bad wordplay on the McPhee website for the Clamdy Canes, including \u201cyour family will clamor for them\u201d and \u201cone shell of a candy.\u201d The dancing clam with a Santa hat is a bit disturbing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Except for starting with the third letter of the alphabet, there is no reason whatsoever for clams and candy canes to go together. But don\u2019t tell that to the folks at Archie McPhee, a Seattle-based company that specializes in all things weird, including candy canes. They have unleashed a diabolical digestive debacle known as the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1440],"tags":[1590,1471],"class_list":["post-32232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-archie-mcphee","tag-candy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38336,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2019\/07\/29\/fried-chicken-candy-lobster-candy-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":0},"title":"REVIEW: Archie McPhee Fried Chicken and Lobster Candies","author":"Denis","date":"July 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Fried Chicken and Lobster Candy are the latest \u201cI dare you to eat this\u201d candy from Archie McPhee, which offers a wide variety of wild and weird products. Previous confectionery offerings included coal, bacon, wasabi, and gravy. And now you can save all the hassle of preparing fried chicken or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Archie-McPhee-Lobster-Candy-Top.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Archie-McPhee-Lobster-Candy-Top.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Archie-McPhee-Lobster-Candy-Top.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Archie-McPhee-Lobster-Candy-Top.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Archie-McPhee-Lobster-Candy-Top.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53902,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2022\/11\/18\/spotted-hostess-twinkies-flavored-candy-canes\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":1},"title":"SPOTTED: Hostess Twinkies Flavored Candy Canes","author":"Marvo","date":"November 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"These attempt to recreate the Twinkies' flavor, but what about its greasiness. It would sure help make the candy cane wrapper come off easier. (Spotted by Tommy at Dollar General.)","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/twinkicandican.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/twinkicandican.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/twinkicandican.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/twinkicandican.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/twinkicandican.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15942,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2013\/12\/16\/review-jds-foods-sriracha-candy-canes\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":2},"title":"REVIEW: J&D’s Foods Sriracha Candy Canes","author":"Matt","date":"December 16, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Sriracha mania is sweeping the nation. Though the famous hot sauce has been adored for ages, sriracha has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity. We\u2019ve seen sriracha beef jerky, sriracha lollipops, and sriracha vodka. Even Subway and 7-Eleven have jumped on the rooster sauce bandwagon. What\u2019s next? Sriracha candy canes?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"J&D's Foods Sriracha Candy Canes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7442\/11399207075_5ed7495e00.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59052,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2023\/10\/31\/spotted-post-pebbles-cereal-flavored-candy-canes\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":3},"title":"SPOTTED: Post Pebbles Cereal Flavored Candy Canes","author":"Marvo","date":"October 31, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I'd like to start a new holiday tradition that involves decorating a Christmas tree with various flavored candy canes, blindfolding folks, and then making them pick a candy cane from the tree to eat. We can call it the Cane Game. (Spotted by Robbie at World Market.) If you\u2019re out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/postpebblescerflacycanes-600x450.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/postpebblescerflacycanes-600x450.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/postpebblescerflacycanes-600x450.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45552,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2020\/12\/14\/kelloggs-froot-loops-candy-canes-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":4},"title":"REVIEW: Kellogg’s Froot Loops Candy Canes","author":"Mark","date":"December 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"What are Kellogg's Froot Loops Candy Canes? Rainbow-colored candy canes that taste like Froot Loops! Should we start referring to Toucan Sam as Toucane Sam? Uh, sorry. How are they? After the disappointing Froot Loops Peeps this past spring, I didn\u2019t have high hopes for the candy canes. Do they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Froot-Loops-Candy-Canes-Cereal.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Froot-Loops-Candy-Canes-Cereal.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Froot-Loops-Candy-Canes-Cereal.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Froot-Loops-Candy-Canes-Cereal.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Froot-Loops-Candy-Canes-Cereal.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25790,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2017\/11\/10\/review-spangler-oreo-candy-canes\/","url_meta":{"origin":32232,"position":5},"title":"REVIEW: Spangler Oreo Candy Canes","author":"Rachel","date":"November 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Christmas Creep is bad, right? No one wants to see ornaments and stocking stuffers out on display in October. It\u2019s a silent judgement -- haven\u2019t you thought about what you\u2019re getting Aunt Mary yet? What\u2019s taking you so long? All this great stuff will be gone by the time you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/7-Spangler-Oreo-Candy-Canes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/7-Spangler-Oreo-Candy-Canes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/7-Spangler-Oreo-Candy-Canes.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32232\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}