Author: Vin

REVIEW: M&M’s Munchums

Vin 7 Comments

M M s Munchums Pouch

What are M&M’s Munchums?

M&M’s has taken a fancy new natural approach by kicking the candy coating to the curb in favor of a crunchy baked shell.

How are they?

M M s Munchums Bowl

They’re one of the five best M&M flavors I’ve ever had.

Let me walk that back a little…

These are clearly different from the usual M&M, but I don’t care; they destroy most of them, especially the classic brown bag originals.

These are not so much pieces of candy as they’re tiny little chocolate chip cookie balls, and they’re good chocolate chip cookies at that.

M M s Munchums Innards

They start with a chocolate crispy core, which I was already pumped about as Crispy M&M’s are also in my top five. The core is encased in the standard chocolate, but the real marvel here is the shell, which has a perfectly crispy baked flavor that reminded me of a Famous Amos-type cookie.

Now you’re probably thinking, “So what, plenty of cookies use M&M’s,” and you’re right, but I just found this inverse to be much more exciting. I don’t know why, but I really loved the flavor of this bite-sized “candy.” Usually, if M&M’s releases a flavor with the promise of “cookie,” it would taste like an M&M with a hint of that cookie’s flavor. These taste like cookies without even really promising that.

Anything else you need to know?

I’ve never actually had Keebler Gripz, but I recall a similar product from my youth. They were just little tiny chocolate chip cookies in a pouch, and my Googling has brought no help. Anyway, that’s what I ultimately walked away thinking of. These taste like an upscale, more chocolatey version of those with a much nicer crunchy texture.

M M s Munchums Colored M

If you can’t tell, I really dug the shell. I even think the colored “M” on the tan shell looks great.

These could be a reinvention of the M&M wheel. I could also picture these being a truly elite ingredient in a great trail/snack mix.

Conclusion:

M M s Munchums Colors

I hope these expand on shelves and everyone gets to try them. They should really market these. Introduce a “Baked” M&M character to the revamped lineup. Give him little dreads and a goatee. Eh, maybe that’s a literal pipe dream.

Either way, these are legit. They also come in a salted caramel flavor if you’re lucky enough to find them.

UPDATE: By luck, my aunt had the Salted Caramel Munchums at my family’s Easter get-together! It is with great regret that I inform you they taste like a cheap salty café latte absorbed in a piece of cardboard. I cannot believe the stark difference between the two flavors. Don’t even bother with the Salted Caramel, and just get the Milk Chocolate flavor.

Purchased Price: $3.49
Size: 4.94 oz pouch
Purchased at: Wegmans
Rating: 9 out of 10 (Milk Chocolate), 3 out of 10 (Salted Caramel)
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz, 14 pieces) 120 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 95 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 9 grams of total sugars, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Red Bull Summer Edition Strawberry Apricot Energy Drink

Vin 5 Comments

Red Bull Summer Edition Strawberry Apricot Energy Drink Can

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it ain’t summer until Red Bull says it’s summer.

Well, folks, I’m thrilled to tell you that Red Bull says it’s summer.

Play that theme music!

(NOTE: That theme music is “Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie, but instead of “Rebel,” it’s “Red Bull,” and it’s just that line, over and over, for four minutes. I won’t lie, it gets old pretty quickly.)

I’ll tell you what doesn’t get old pretty quickly, the flavor of this year’s Red Bull Summer Edition – Strawberry Apricot.

This has gotta be one of the more exciting energy drink flavor profiles I’ve seen in a while, and that’s because apricot is a criminally underutilized fruit.

I wracked my brain and couldn’t think of a single drink featuring apricot. I guess Red Bull has gotten so far down the fruit list that it decided to finally dip its toe in uncharted waters, although I do think they wussed out a bit by cutting apricot with the way more familiar strawberry.

Red Bull Summer Edition Strawberry Apricot Energy Drink Top

Upon cracking the can, the scent of sour strawberry candy smacked me in the face. That was kinda what I feared would happen. I had very little faith that the apricot would rise above or even run parallel to the strawberry.

Well, unfortunately (but not really…), I was right, and the strawberry flavor popped right out of the gate. That’s not to say I didn’t get a hint of apricot.

The fruit has a distinctive aftertaste to it. When they’re ripe, they start sweet and finish with a little sour kick. That was pretty much what happened with this drink.

I think apricot pushed through in another way because I don’t know how to describe this flavor as anything other than “soft.” Perhaps I’m being influenced by the texture of the fruit itself, but this was one of the more delicate Red Bull varieties I can ever remember drinking, and I think I’m gonna give credit to the apricot there. It wasn’t harsh at all, and that supporting flavor did its best to mute the more dominant strawberry in a way I found super light and refreshing.

Actually, I’ll tell you what this ultimately reminded me of – Strawberry Fruit Roll-ups.

After a little while, that’s all I could think of, but it wasn’t just Strawberry Fruit Roll-up, it was also apricot fruit leather. I guess that makes sense because when I think of the more “upscale” fruit leathers, three flavors come to mind – strawberry, raspberry, and apricot. I always enjoyed those as a kid, and I rode a little nostalgia wave with each additional sip.

Red Bull Summer Edition Strawberry Apricot Energy Drink Glass

As for the “energy” aspect, this could’ve just hit me on the right day at the right time because man, it gave me a serious energy boost. That rarely happens anymore, so I considered it a huge bonus. I feel like the electric orange can also had a hand in hyping me up.

Overall, I think most loyal Red Bull drinkers will dig this year’s summer edition, even you weirdos who call apricots, “Ape-ricots.” There’s a lot to like here.

Ok, the review’s over. You can go ahead and kill the theme music now.

Purchased Price: $2.50
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of total carbohydrates, 38 grams of total sugars, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Burger King Whopper Melt

Vin 14 Comments

Burger King Whopper Melt Toast

Before I stepped foot in the hallowed Home of the Whopper to try its new Melt, I took a quiz on the Burger King app to figure out which version was perfect for me.

Said app proceeded to tell me to get the regular Whopper Melt because I was “the anti-social one.”

Burger King Whopper Melt Anti Social

Sure, I haven’t interacted with another human being since 2019, but I don’t need a burger joint to remind me. Here I thought I was a glutton for fast food, but turns out I was also a glutton for punishment.

Nevertheless, I was undeterred. I didn’t exactly appreciate that little jab, but I wanted to try the burger. You win, King.

The new Whopper Melt is a double patty burger smothered in melty cheese, “Stacker Sauce,” and caramelized onions layered between two pieces of toast.

I wouldn’t say mine was particularly “toasty,” but I love this style bun, and it was easily better than the BK norm.

Burger King Whopper Melt Under the Bun

For a burger called a “melt,” I was genuinely happy the cheese wasn’t as “melty” as I expected. I thought this thing would be extremely messy, but the cheese rested nicely between regular slice and nacho sauce, giving it a texture that fit the name, but also didn’t drip all over the place. It was perfect.

Speaking of perfect, Stacker Sauce was the star of the show. I know it’s been used in the past, but this was my first time trying it.

The caramelized onions sprinkled throughout the sauce gave it the flavor and texture of diced sweet pickle relish in a Thousand Island dressing. I think I may have found my new favorite burger sauce.

Burger King Whopper Melt Bite

As for the beef, they’re not my favorite fast food patties, but they do the job. It’ll all depend on whether or not you like flame-broiled patties. I couldn’t help but wish this was a Wendy’s burger, as the entire concept and appearance felt more like its speed.

The Whopper Melt is basically a Whopper in name only. I hadn’t had a Whopper in years, but I know this was unequivocally better.

You can get your Whopper Melt with bacon, but it doesn’t seem necessary. There’s also a spicy version with jalapenos and a “creamy spicy sauce,” which I’m sure is good, but I loved the Stacker Sauce so much, I can’t imagine it possibly topping it.

Burger King Whopper Melt Wrapper

If I have one minor complaint, this sandwich is somehow pretty… small?

I expected a behemoth, but was done with it in no time. There are two patties weighing 1/4 of a pound, but I don’t even think this stacks up to a regular Whopper in size. It’s like a double Whopper Jr., but ya know what, I didn’t get fast food fatigue, so that’s a plus.

The Whopper Melt might legit be the best BK burger I’ve had since, I don’t even know, the original Rodeo Burger from the 90s? It’s impressive.

My new plan is to get some actual friends together and try the Spicy Whopper Melt, which I assume is only for cool kids.

Purchased Price: $5.79
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 604 calories, 35 grams of fat, 15 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 93 milligrams of cholesterol, 981 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 29 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Girl Scout Adventurefuls Cookies

Vin 14 Comments

Girl Scouts Adventurefuls Box

What are Girl Scout Adventurefuls Cookies?

The Girl Scouts are back, hocking a new salted caramel brownie cookie for all to enjoy.

How are they?

Girl Scouts Adventurefuls Top

Make no mistake, these are good. I’d say they’re the best new Girl Scout Cookie flavor in at least a decade, but man, did they bungle the texture.

You’ve got a brownie-based cookie, and it’s as hard as a cookie could be. Now, some may like that. This is a COOKIE, after all, not a brownie… but I really question why they decided to go this route.

Girl Scouts Adventurefuls Bite

You know that corner brownie piece that’s harder than the rest of the squares but still has a firm chewiness to it? If these cookies were that texture, they’d be rivals to the Girl Scout cookie throne.

The cookie itself tastes like a brownie, but with such a hard, crunchy texture, it takes away from the enjoyment of the flavor. They were so close, yet so far away.

Anything else you need to know?

I would have probably forgiven the cookie more if the salted caramel flavored “crème” was actual crème, not hard synthetic plastic. Yeah, even the crème is texturally off. It’s not an icing, but more like a thin layer of Hershey’s chocolate, and the caramel flavor doesn’t really pop at all. It gets swallowed by the dense brownie chocolate flavor almost instantly.

This cookie isn’t “full” of “adventure” at all, unless they’re talking about the salt, which I will say does come through and is a great choice on their part.

Conclusion:

Girl Scouts Adventurefuls Tray

Far be it from me to tell those adorable little scouts how to make their cookies, but if these were brownie edge textured cookies, with a “crème” center similar to, let’s say, a Stella D’oro Swiss Fudge? I’m re-ordering five boxes.

As they are, they’re still good – Top 5 even. I’d rank ’em just behind Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs, but they could’ve been a 9 out of 10. If any Women Scouts of America in charge of cookie decisions are reading this, please consider softening these up next year. I alone will probably put you over your sales quota.

Purchased Price: $5.00
Size: 6.3 oz box
Purchased at: Girl Scouts of America
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 Cookies) 120 calories, 6 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 80 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of total carbohydrates, 9 grams of total sugars, 1 gram of fiber, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Rockstar Unplugged Energy Drink

Vin 2 Comments

Rockstar Unplugged Cans

Rockstar Unplugged?

Folks, the only Rockstar Unplugged I care about is Kurt Cobain circa 1993.

Oh, Me. That was Dumb. All Apologies.

And let’s just throw one more track from Nirvana’s classic MTV Unplugged setlist right here – Come as You Are… to this review of Rockstar’s new hemp seed-infused energy drinks!

Heh? No? Alright, alright, I’ll just review the drinks now.

Rockstar Unplugged is a new line of beverages that combine hemp seed oil, B vitamins, spearmint, and lemon balm for a “fruit-forward energy boost that helps maintain an easy-going, free-flowing and soul-fueling attitude for any mood or occasion.” Whew.

That contradicts what I expect from an energy drink, but whatever Bruh, I dig the vibe.

I tracked down two of the three flavors – Blueberry and Passion Fruit. Rockstar also released a Raspberry Cucumber variety, but no one told any store within a 20-mile radius of me.

Rockstar Unplugged Passion Fruit 1

Passion Fruit is a fruit I’ve never eaten, but a flavor I enjoy from various other drinks and candy.

For something called “Unplugged,” the yellow color is ELECTRIC. Unfortunately, the carbonation was weak, so the drink itself never lived up to the color’s vibrancy. It didn’t have that POP I was hoping for.

Taste-wise, it was just generic “tropical fruit,” and a bit too sweet. The flavor reminded me of those little hard guava candies you get after sushi dinners, if you know what I mean.

Rockstar Unplugged Blueberry 2

Blueberry looked and smelled incredible. I thought I was about to drink some Great Blue-dini Kool-Aid, which made me ponder – is blueberry a unique energy drink flavor? Normally when I see a blue energy drink, I expect some uber-masculine name like “Razzmatazz Haymaker” or “Electric Bluedriver,” but here we just get little old blueberry, and it succeeds.

It wasn’t too sweet, leaning more towards a slightly underripe blueberry flavor, but in no way bitter or sour. Not sure why, but the carbonation was also stronger. It “popped,” with a sharp taste that finished with a mellow, satisfying sweetness.

With that said, they both left a light coating in my mouth that I guess I’ll chalk up to the “herbal blend” and hemp seed oil? It wasn’t gross by any means, but was mildly off-putting.

Rockstar Unplugged Both 2

In the end, they’re mid-tier energy drinks, but I’m glad Rockstar tried something new because I feel like they’re getting swallowed up by Red Bull, Monster, and Bang – which seems to have conquered about 75% of every convenience store I go to these days. (When did Bang explode on the scene?)

I drank both in the afternoon and never felt jittery at all. They kept me pretty alert for the rest of the day, so if that’s what adding hemp does to an energy drink, Rockstar Unplugged might be onto something big here. It was borderline Nirvana.

That’s what we call a “really bad callback.”

Overall, I like this concept, but I don’t think Red Bull is in any danger of losing my business. I’ll probably get the blueberry Unplugged a few times this summer, and I hope to find Raspberry Cucumber someday.

Purchased Price: $1.69 each
Size: 12 fl oz cans
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Blueberry), 5 out of 10 (Passion Fruit)
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 50 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugars, 0 grams of protein, 1.53 milligrams of Vitamin B, and 80 milligrams of caffeine.