Author: Sean

REVIEW: Crunchy Mint, Crunchy Espresso, and Crunchy Raspberry M&M’s (Flavor Vote 2018)

Sean 11 Comments

2018 M M s Flavor Vote

In 1999, on the cusp of new millennium meltdown fears, my favorite M&M without the word “peanut” in its name was born.

Crispy M&M’s channeled the fun textural contrast of Nestle’s Crunch Bar in a portable, poppable format that worked for me and became my go-to anytime I wasn’t feeling nutty. Then, without warning, they vanished and I was left to chomp only the outer shell of an M&M without any inner crunchy surprise.

In 2015, my faith in humanity was restored and Crispy M&M’s returned in a new green bag with all the same deliciously simple crispy-rice-meets-chocolate flavor I remembered from my snack-heavy childhood. As delicious as they are, I always felt like the odd man out with my love for them, especially considering its ten-year hiatus of production in the United States. But now, the crispy boys are getting their shine in a winner-takes-all food fight under the new moniker of “crunchy.”

While 2016’s inaugural M&M’s voting contest saw the much more popular Peanut variety go head-to-head with new unique flavor offerings, this year’s feels a bit more underground. Welcome to the chocolate arena –- Mint, Espresso, and Raspberry.

Crunchy Mint M&M’s

2018 M M s Flavor Vote Crunchy Mint M M s

The Crunchy Mint M&M’s are in-TENSE. They have a strong peppermint presence matched up with semisweet chocolate for a combination that’s not for the faint of heart. While the flavor isn’t toothpaste-y, it’s on the verge of being too much and could benefit from a bit more sweetness to be truly delectable.

I’m a fan of chocolate and mint together so I like the classic mashup, but the balance feels a wee bit off and leans towards breath freshening over sweet tooth satisfying.

Crunchy Espresso M&M’s

2018 M M s Flavor Vote Crunchy Espresso M M s

Crunchy Espresso M&M’s feel like a direct offshoot of the winning Coffee Nut M&M’s and placing last year’s victor in the mix feels both appropriate and lazy. There’s a strong ground coffee aroma wafting from the package that translates pretty convincingly to the taste. Chocolate and coffee is one of the best flavor combinations known to man and it’s almost cheating how well they work together.

The semisweet chocolate gets an elevated boost from the coffee flavor which adds more depth and darkness than standard Crispy M&M’s while not getting too bitter. Much like in the Peanut version, the balance is pretty much spot on and are an enjoyable treat.

Crunchy Raspberry M&M’s

2018 M M s Flavor Vote Crunchy Raspberry M M s

Crunchy Raspberry M&M’s are the most interesting, unique, and risky of the bunch, but I’m happy to report they are DELICIOUS. The raspberry flavor is big and floral without tasting artificial and is wonderfully tempered by the, once again, semisweet chocolate. Raspberry and cocoa are another one of those classic sophisticated combos that I can’t help but love when executed properly, and Mars did a terrific job of balancing the two into a surprisingly complex spherical candy.

The texture of the Raspberry ones are also a little different. They have the expected rice crispness but also what feels like another layer of almost-chewy chocolate that helps them stick out among the pack. Cutting into the M&M’s reveals two tones of color when compared to the other two, which might add to the triple texture effect.

2018 M M s Flavor Vote 2

If I had the final say in this battle of chocolate I would definitely keep Raspberry around for a victory lap. While Espresso and Mint are good, they’ve already been done and aren’t really pushing the envelope. But hey, I was also that weirdo that wanted the Chili Nut M&M’s to win in the first contest, so I’ll probably lose this one too.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 pack – 180 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 21 grams of sugar, and 1 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.49 each
Size: 1.35 oz. bag
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Crunchy Mint)
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Crunchy Espresso)
Rating: 9 out of 10 (Crunchy Raspberry)
Pros: Same awesome crispy crunchy flavor. Giving some shine to the underground. Raspberry is a refreshing different flavor. Espresso strong and classic.
Cons: Playing it safe with mint and coffee. Mint balance far too strong. Why are these not “crispy”?

REVIEW: Peeps Filled Delights Neapolitan

Sean 1 Comment

Peeps Filled Delights Neapolitan

I eat a whole helluva lot of ice cream, but I can’t remember the last time I had Neapolitan.

The tri-flavor container of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla is said to have originated in the late 19th century in Naples, Italy, and as far as I’m concerned is only enjoyed at an eight-year-old’s birthday party next to a slice of Power Rangers cake.

How the city responsible for some of the most pristine and perfectly simple pizza known to man can also create one of the silliest ice cream flavors that no one really eats is mind-boggling, but leave it to Peeps to make the mundane even more readily consumable.

The latest addition to the Filled Delights line pairs a strawberry marshmallow with decadent chocolate filling that’s dipped in creamy white fudge. Hey…that actually sounds kinda good.

Peeps Filled Delights Neapolitan 2

The aroma is a super strong sweet strawberry with a notable creaminess that does evoke Neapolitan ice cream. There’s no chocolate on the nose, which is to be expected with all of the fudgy goodness hiding on the inside. There’s something always oddly nostalgic about artificial strawberry and the way it mingles with the vanilla marshmallow scent is inviting.

Going in for the kill, the ‘mallow isn’t as sweet as I was expecting and is surprisingly pretty well balanced for something composed almost entirely of sugar. The sometimes harsh over-the-top fake strawberry notes are mellowed by the cool and creamy white fudge, which, as with all Delights, brings a nice smooth foundation and slight crunch to the bouncy Peeps body. The fudge also helps bring to mind the mouthfeel of ice cream and a legitimate vanilla component that’s necessary to the create the Neapolitan trifecta.

Peeps Filled Delights Neapolitan 3

The chocolate filling is ample and erupts from the midsection of the Peep with a mellow milky cocoa quality very similar to Hershey’s Syrup and an appearance like a snapshot from a Law & Order: SVU crime scene. It’s runny enough to bring a completely different texture than the vanilla dip, but firm enough that it stays in place while biting. The chocolate is pretty sweet, but again, not over the top, and all three desired flavors come through on their own, but also work in harmony.

I’ve gotta say, for a Peep that I had no intention of ever seeing exist (like all Peeps?) I enjoyed the execution of this oft-neglected style of ice cream turned into candy. In fact, I enjoyed these Peeps more than my last scoop of actual Neapolitan ice cream. But after eating two in a row, the sugar rush consumed my body. It’s best to leave these chicks with a one-and-done mentality.

(Nutrition Facts – 3 chicks – 180 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 32 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 1.75 oz. package/3 chicks
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Great nostalgic strawberry flavor. Gooey chocolate filling. Creamy smooth vanilla.
Cons: Eating multiple chicks can lead to stomach ache. Epic sugar rush. Crime scene photos of Peeps.

REVIEW: Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Gold Doughnut

Sean 2 Comments

Krispy Kreme Hershey s Gold Doughnut

Last year, Hershey’s made one of their strongest moves in a decade with its Gold Peanuts & Pretzels Bar, utilizing a caramelized creme “golden” base over the usual cocoa. It’s a masterpiece in the realm of mainstream sweet and salty bars and Hershey’s is wasting no time at all pumping out new ways for us to consume their latest behemoth.

After collaborating with 7-Eleven to make a drinkable cappuccino version of the bar, the chocolate company opted to make sweet, sweet food love with one of the greatest treats in the fast food universe – Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed. The new limited-time Hershey’s Gold Doughnut takes the O.G. and tops it with pieces of Hershey’s Gold and a salted caramel icing.

Krispy Kreme Hershey s Gold Doughnut 2

The aroma is strong. The leading smell is the ample Gold bar pieces, which carry a sweet nuttiness akin to peanut brittle, accented by the extra push of salty caramel and the unmistakable golden aura of fried yeast dough. The salted caramel icing is perfectly drizzled on top of the already amazing original glaze and studded with so many candy pieces that it left a handful of bits at the bottom of the bag like coveted escaped french fries.

Biting into this golden trophy of a doughnut reveals some of the most immaculate textures the fast food world could ever provide, and boy is it SWEET. The soft and fresh bouncy glazed doughnut is taken to new heights with the added chew of the Gold bar pieces. The crunch of the pretzels and peanuts provide a stark contrast to the fluffy base.

The only flavor that doesn’t come through as strongly as I would like are the peanuts. But the creamy, fatty essence of the golden chocolate does well to bring a bit of extra depth to the overall profile. The salted caramel icing is aggressively sweet but has a legitimate salty pop and thick sticky texture that makes it stand out from the original clear glaze.

Krispy Kreme Hershey s Gold Doughnut 3

The ultimate test of this glazed greatness is to see how it holds up in the microwave – and my god does it deliver. A quick 8-second zap in the micro launches the flavors and textures into the melty, salty stratosphere for a taste that made me throw my head back in euphoria. Everything is heightened, the caramel fully activated, and the bar pieces are still firm enough to deliver a slightly melted chew atop the fried gooey decadence.

This is a wonderful doughnut, but in the grand scheme of the sweet and salty symphony it’s missing a bit of bass. While the treble is through the roof with very high highs of sweet and salty sending my upper register through the roof, I’m missing a bit of balance to weigh the flavors down and complete the movement that spawns an encore. It’s a worthy update to the very strong original, but short of the perfect score.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 doughnut – 280 calories, 15 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 135 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.89
Size: N/A
Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Awesome sweet and salty flavors. KK didn’t mess with their perfect glaze. Caramel is actually salted. Microwaving it will cause euphoria.

Cons: Peanuts get lost a bit in the mix. Can be overwhelmingly sweet and salty without enough fat to balance.

REVIEW: Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper

Sean 2 Comments

Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper

How does that age-old saying go?

Put peanut butter on anything and it automatically gets better.

Yeah, I think it goes something like that. Or at least, I’m hoping it does.

In 2015 Snickers released the Snickers Crisper, and while it’s still a fine candy it’s actually my least favorite Snickers of all time. Conversely, Snickers Peanut Butter is my second favorite, coming in very close to the classic original bar of perfection.

The Crisper bar omits the signature nougat for a layer of crisped rice, and the newest Snickers follows the same pattern but adds a layer of peanut butter atop of the caramel, all shrouded in sweet milk chocolate. So does the equation of A (anything) + PB (peanut butter) = magic apply here? Fingers crossed.

Good news — it absolutely does.

Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper 2

The fatty, smooth, and salty peanut butter adds the chewy lip-smacking depth that I missed from the original Snickers Crisper, which I thought fell a little flat in terms of sugary crave-ability. The rice crisps in the first crisp bar couldn’t quite hold up to the standard set by the original Snickers’ nougat. But here I don’t miss it at all and I really like the textural crunch that the rice crisps provide in tandem with the pillow of beautiful peanut butter.

The sticky, crackly, sugary mashup of caramel, crisps, peanuts and peanut butter reminds me of the oft-forgotten Whatchamacallit bar, although dare I say, it’s even better? The fun semi-wafery texture also harkens back to my beloved Reese’s Sticks with a bigger, more formidable chomp.

Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper 4

The thickness of PB Crisper allows for a more generous layer of peanut butter that never gets lost from the first bite to the last. It blends perfectly with the caramel to create a lovely sweet and salty bite with just enough reprieve from the crisps to never taste too cloying. The milk chocolate is of usual Mars quality, with just the right amount of creaminess to round out (or square out?) a wonderfully smash-able treat that is very much nut-forward over cocoa.

Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper only makes a minor change to its original version, but it’s one that works incredibly well. Sometimes it’s the littlest of adjustments that can make all the difference, and I’m glad I paid at least a little attention in algebra because for Snickers, A + PB truly does equal taste bud magic.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 square bar – 110 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $2.19
Size: 4 pack
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Perfect balance of sweet and salty. Thick layer of peanut butter. Awesome crispy crunch. Finally gives meaning to algebra.
Cons: Too easy to eat too many. Maybe could be EVEN better with nougat?!

REVIEW: Krispy Kreme Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut

Sean

Krispy Kreme Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut

“Gingerbread, gingerbread, gingerbread doughnuutttss. Oh what fun it is to turn little men into fried cake. Hey!”

Building off the spicy success of last season’s Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed, Krispy Kreme is rolling out winter’s favorite spiced cake in the form of the Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut.

You may notice the absence of the word “original” in the title. This is intentional. For the first time ever, KK changed both the dough and the glaze to create the ultimate one-two punch of Christmas delight. The offering is spiced gingerbread dough with hints of cinnamon and ginger covered in a warm gingerbread molasses glaze.

When I arrived at my local Krispy in the mid-afternoon I was afraid I had missed the party. But it turns out I was just in on the most underground secret of the doughnut world. No signs, no posters, and no slot in the doughnut case for them. It seems this one got promoted exclusively through online buzz.

From what I can gather, based on the epic emptying and scrub down of the KK glazing conveyor belt happening at 4 p.m., the molasses glaze created a whole new obstacle in being able to provide these special doughnuts alongside their signature original. After talking to an employee, who described them as “super limited,” I confirmed it was cranked out once in the morning and would not be made again.

Krispy Kreme Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut 2

The doughnut looks different from the OG glazed, most notably the darker color and thicker texture of the molasses. The dough is speckled with spice much like the pumpkin version but feels a bit heartier with the modified glaze’s density.

Since eating them straight from the fried belt of dreams was not an option I opted to try the doughnut at room temperature. The flavor is not very bold, and if I had to guess what the change was without knowing I’m not sure I would guess gingerbread.

Krispy Kreme Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut 3

The molasses glaze is less sweet and doesn’t pop with the usual bright sweetness of the OG. There’s a nice brown sugar flavor that presides over everything else, and only a tiny hint of cinnamon in the finish that’s fleeting. I don’t get any gingery tingle, but the texture is still enjoyable, soft, and fluffy, although a bit denser than the usual KK offering.

Warmed up, for the eight seconds the box recommends, the brown sugar molasses notes become more apparent and rich, with a greasy buttery flavor, which is what I expect when venturing towards the coveted Hot Light. Still, for a doughnut that’s supposed to represent one of the most spiced breads of the year, it’s very tame and kind of disappointing.

The dough is still quality, and it’s a sugary fried treat so it does taste good. But I don’t get a whisper of ginger, let alone the nutmeg, cloves, or black pepper that make the Christmas bread what it is. As is, this seasonal remix is a downgrade from the original. Ho ho hum.

(Nutrition Facts – 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.69
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Rich molasses glaze. Classic soft fluffy texture. Balanced sweetness.
Cons: Very mellow spice. No ginger tingle. Can’t eat straight off of conveyor belt.