5/9/08

Candy: Bartons Monopoly Creamy Milk Chocolate

This is just a quick review of an impulse buy at the checkout line.

Bartons Candy doesn't ring any bells for me, so I don't believe I have ever had any of their products before. I am also not one to snack on a simple chocolate bar, but I have to admit that the main reason for buying this was the Monopoly tie-in.

Win $5000 instantly? Sure!

So, long story short, I didn't win anything.

(This is the top left picture in "Guess What I Tried!"1)

Pros:
Decent Chocolate.
Chance to win prizes.

Cons:
Nothing memorable about the product at all.

Verdict:
Buy it to try to win something, not for the chocolate.

5/4/08

Soft Drink: Snapple Noni Berry Juice Drink

Snapple is making more and more interesting drinks lately, everything from waters to teas and juice drinks. In fact, Snapple may one day have it's own aisle in the supermarket.

I have never met, or drank, Snapple I didn't like, and I generally will try anything once. So, seeing the Noni Berry flavor instantly had me wondering what it was going to be comparable to, if anything at all.

Apparently, Noni is some sort of Polynesian fruit, this is according to the bottle.

The juice was pretty good, not overpowering and actually quite mild. It's up there with Kiwi Strawberry in the flavor range but there is obvious differences, such as a lack of kiwi.

(This is the bottom left picture in "Guess What I Tried"1)

Pros:
Amazingly the bottle is only about 20 calories. Much lower than other drinks like this.
Mild flavor makes it easy to drink with most meals of snacks.
It's allegedly good for you metabolism too.

Cons:
It's kinda blah.
It's a tad expensive.

Verdict:
Unfortunately, I won't be stocking my fridge with Noni Berry Juice anytime soon. It was okay, but not outstanding. It's good to try, its considerably better for you than most drinks that are not plain water, and it's a unique flavor but I will only buy this on the rare occasion I can't find something better.

5/2/08

"Guess What I Tried!" 1

I am pleased to announce the "I'll try that!" game called,

"Guess What I Tried!"


Take a look at these cleverly cropped images of some of the things I will be reviewing soon, and see if you can guess what they are! Try to be as specific as possible. I will note them in their review as being part of the game, so guess as many times as you like. And, keep an eye out at the store to see if you can spot them!

Remember, I'll try anything. Have fun!

Candy: Wonka Giant Chewy Nerds

The wacky world of Wonka is responsible for so many innovative candy treats, one has to wonder where they come up with all of the ideas. Some of the my favorites: Bottle Caps, Laffy Taffy, and Pixy Stix.

Then a few years ago they decided to start making every "hard" candy they make, have a "chewy" counterpart. Bravo. Some examples: Chewy Runts, Chewy Gobstoppers, and Chewy SweeTARTS.

But by far, the most recognizable, never duplicated, candy to come from the famous factory is Nerds. They have come in many flavors over the years, even sour. Then, they managed to come on a rope. However, nothing will top the day I came across Giant Chewy Nerds!

The science behind them is a mystery, but to an ordinary man they can best be described as a jellybean enclosed in a nerd-like shell. The flavors are pretty basic with strawberry, lemon, grape, orange, and watermelon.

I can confidently say that this is the most unique candy I have had in a long while. The "crunchiness" and tartness of a handful of nerds with the chewy texture of a jellybean. A match made in heaven.

Pros:
It's like a new invention, even thought its just a marriage of two others.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.

Cons:
Could have used some more risky flavors.
Probably could have packed more in a bag.

Verdict:
Buy them. If you like Nerds and/or jellybeans (and not jellybelly gourmet jellybeans, I'm talking about real Easter basket beans), the Giant Chewy Nerds are what your life has been leading up to. I bought 2 bags to try, and I have already been back to the store for more. Wonka, you have done it again.