Reviews – Page 219 – The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Chobani Oat Nog

Dustin / November 11, 2021 / Reviews / 13 Comments

I am a lifelong eggnog fan. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, I make a point to consume plenty of it every Christmas season. Upon seeing that Chobani released a new Oat Nog, my curiosity was piqued. Oat milk is my preferred nondairy milk substitute, so it sounded like a promising concept. As Chobani’s Oat Nog is vegan, there’s no egg in the product either.

I poured the Oat Nog into my festive vessel of choice and was dismayed by the consistency. It was much thinner than expected. I’ve had some oat milk varieties in the past that were decently thick and creamy, so I assumed the Oat Nog would be closer to that. Instead, it’s as watery as typical oat milk. Chobani manufactures an extra creamy version of its oat milk, so I don’t know why it couldn’t have aimed for a thickness closer to that.

I gave the Oat Nog a deep whiff and was stunned. It smelled exactly like eggnog. I started to feel optimistic again.

I took a sip of the Oat Nog and my taste buds rejoiced. It tasted remarkably close to the real thing. All of the standard, dominant eggnog flavor notes seemed to be there. I’m not sure what type of black magic trickery Chobani pulled off here, but it works quite well.

There is a faint undercurrent of oat milk flavor, but it’s mild. It’s perfectly sweet without being domineering. As time elapsed, I noticed that there was a bit of an aftertaste in my mouth. It was an inoffensive flavor, but it’s one that I frequently notice when having oat milk. It seems like a fair trade-off.

I decided to try more of the Oat Nog, but added the all-important nutmeg this time. It brought further cohesion and authenticity to the drink. Unfortunately, no amount of nutmeg can combat the thin consistency of this beverage.

Chobani Oat Nog won’t replace traditional eggnog for me, but I can see myself substituting it on occasion. If you enjoy eggnog, but are avoiding dairy, this is a perfect solution. Likewise, if you find conventional eggnog to be too heavy, this should accommodate nicely. It effortlessly stands on its own, and I’m pleased that it was my first taste of anything nog-related this holiday season.

Purchased Price: $3.49
Size: 32 fl. oz. bottle
Purchased at: Fry’s
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/2 cup) 90 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 9 grams of sugars and less than 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Beyond Chicken Tenders

Holly / November 10, 2021 / Reviews / 6 Comments

What are Beyond Chicken Tenders?

Beyond Meat has recently brought its “chicken tenders” direct to consumers after testing them out at nearly 400 restaurants earlier this year. Found in the freezer section, these tenders are certified 100% vegan, getting their protein from the humble faba bean.

How are they?

Generally speaking, Beyond has had some really good products. It’s been mostly focused on beef/pork replacements (burgers, sausage, brats), but these tenders are its first entry into the chicken side of meatless.

Opening the package, I was struck by how much of a chicken smell there was. They are a bit larger than most veggie tenders on the market. As I am in the air fryer cult, it was nice to see air fryer instructions on the packaging. Further proof it’s not JUST A PHASE.

Biting into them, they were fairly thicker than other meatless tenders I’ve had. The breading is quite crispy, but despite there being visible black pepper pieces, there wasn’t much flavor. The “meat” itself was okay in both taste and texture. As I chewed, it felt like a weird blend of chicken tenderloins and the mixed and pressed meat nuggets you find for cheap. Not unpleasant, just odd.

The flavor of the “meat” was almost non-existent, especially considering how strong of a chicken smell they had out of the package. They also were a bit dry, but this might be due to slightly overcooking them on my part. Once I started dipping them into Chicken Sauce, my enjoyment went up tenfold.

Anything else you need to know?

The density of the “meat” and the crispiness of the breading makes me think these would do well being tossed in a buffalo sauce.

Conclusion:

While not terrible, in a market so flooded with different choices, the Beyond Tenders don’t really stand out for me. I think they will be a good entry point for people exploring meatless through the Beyond brand, but might underwhelm those already familiar with different meatless chicken products.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: 8 oz bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 pieces) 210 calories, 12 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 450 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of protein.

Beyond Meat

REVIEW: Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles

Mark / November 9, 2021 / Reviews / 7 Comments

What is Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles?

Cup Noodles has added sweet ingredients to its traditional mixture of ramen noodles and savory seasoning. Just add water, microwave the cup, and you’ll have a quick lunch where brown sugar, powdered pumpkin, and spices join garlic powder and onion powder. It is exclusive to Walmart.

How is it?

I can taste both the sweet and savory elements. As far as pumpkin spice foods go, it’s not gross, but it’s also not delicious. It’s just kind of odd. I was going to rate it 6 out of 10.

But then I realized it’s not just a pumpkin spice product; it’s a Cup Noodles product. I asked myself, “Would I enjoy eating this for lunch multiple times during November?” And the answer is a definite yes! So I rate it 7 out of 10. The ramen noodles tie everything together, just like they’re supposed to.

The savoriness and sweetness are about equal. But I’d say the sweetness is stronger than the spices, which are stronger than the pumpkin.

The package says, “For an even more satisfying Pumpkin Spice experience, try topping with whipped cream after microwaving.” So I did, and I really enjoyed it! So much so that I might try whipped cream on savory instant ramen sometime.