REVIEW: Toy Story 4 Carnival Churro Cravings Ice Cream

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Toy Story 4 Carnival Churro Cravings Ice Cream

What is Toy Story 4 Carnival Churro Cravings Ice Cream?

One of two new flavors (Chocolate Peanut Butter Midway Mash-Up is the other) released by Edy’s/Dreyer’s in advance of Toy Story 4, which presumably includes a plot featuring a carnival with a midway and a couple of oh-so-cute stuffed animal prizes featured on the package. According to Wikipedia, my sole source of sometimes accurate information, the two new characters are Ducky and Bunny, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. (Wikipedia didn’t specify which was which, and I didn’t think it would affect how the ice cream tasted, so I moved on).

How is it?

Toy Story 4 Carnival Churro Cravings Ice Cream Where My Swirls At

Quite good, especially considering it’s a light ice cream. It has a surprisingly rich and creamy taste and a more complex flavor than your run-of-the-mill cinnamon ice cream. However, I suspect the particular tub I purchased might have been produced when the quality control manager was taking a potty break, as it seemed pretty light on churro pieces and despite some furious digging I could barely locate the graham cracker swirl promised on the label.

Toy Story 4 Carnival Churro Cravings Ice Cream Closeup

Even taking into account that the photo on the package rarely matches what’s inside, the lack of churro and swirl was a minor letdown. But the churro pieces I did manage to find added a nice texture and extra flavor, and there is definitely a hint of graham cracker, so overall this is a winner.

Is there anything else you need to know?

The movie is not set to be released until June 21, so this product debut seems a bit premature. The good news is that it should be available at least through the end of summer. Also, I learned from the package that it’s “Great for birthdays!” Wow, thanks for the tip, otherwise I might have picked up some frozen broccoli for my next birthday blowout.

Conclusion:

Even with a possible churro and graham cracker swirl shortage, this ranks high for me as a solid choice. And bonus points for it being a light ice cream with 1/2 the fat and 1/3 fewer calories than regular ice cream. I was never good at fractions, but I think that means you can eat ten times as much.

I’m also tempted to sneak this into a movie theater this summer, especially since my local megaplex also serves warm churros, and that would make an incredible, albeit messy and probably short-lived, utensil to deliver the ice cream to my hungry mouth.

Purchased Price: $3.98
Size: 1.5 quarts
Purchased at: H-E-B
Rating: 8 out of 10 (possibly higher with some more freakin’ graham cracker swirl)
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup serving) 160 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 75 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding

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Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding

What is Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding?

It’s the latest salvo in the never-ending war between Snack Pack and Jello for pudding supremacy. It came out roughly the same time as Jello’s Unicorn Slime. According to the packaging, it tastes like joy and rainbow sparkles and is made with fairy dust and princess kisses.

How is it?

I’ve never tasted joy or rainbow sparkles, but I have tasted misery from the salty tears of a crying face and rainbow sprinkles from the cupcake I stole from the person shedding those salty tears. With that said, this pudding definitely tastes better than misery and rainbow sprinkles.

To be honest, I thought the fairy dust would make the pudding gritty, but I guess it’s so fine that it’s not noticeable. It’s as creamy as any other pudding I’ve had. Or maybe the princess kisses helped dissolve the fairy dust. I mean, if a kiss from a prince can break a witch’s curse, then princess kisses must be as powerful.

Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding Pink Vs Blue

If the young women’s accessory store Claire’s had a flavor, I’m quite sure it would taste like this pudding. There are two different color varieties in the pack – pink and blue – but there’s no flavor difference between them. Besides what a Claire’s would taste like, I also want to say its flavor is like off-vanilla. My taste buds get vanilla, marshmallows, a bit of cotton candy, and a hint of something floral.

Is there anything else you need to know?

For some odd reason, a six-pack of comes with an uneven four pink ones and two blue ones. No, it’s not a random thing. The nutrition facts point out there are supposed to be those amounts. Why not have an equal number of both colors?

Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding Mixed

Oh, if you’re wondering, mixing the two colors together make a pretty purple color and causes a unicorn to appear in front of you to grant you ONE wish. That wish cannot be to have infinite wishes.

The packaging also comes with a pair of unicorn tattoos, which may or may not be on my body where a mumble rapper would put a tat.

Conclusion:

Snack Pack Unicorn Magic Pudding Lid

At first, I wasn’t into Snack Pack’s Unicorn Magic Pudding, but after eating halfway through a pink and blue container, I found myself liking it. Maybe there’s magic in the pudding that changed my mind. Or perhaps the disodium phosphate is just disodium phosphate.

Purchased Price: $2.69
Size: insertimg
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 pudding cup) 100 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola

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Orange Vanilla Coca Cola

What is Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola?

As the first new flavor of Classic Coca-Cola to be released stateside in over ten years, Orange Vanilla Coke sets itself apart by combining smooth vanilla and bright orange flavors with the cola’s nostalgic original blend.

How is it?

Let me set the record straight here: no flavor of Coca-Cola is terrible. The worst variation of Coke is still arguably better than anything Pepsi has ever put out. Even so, I can’t say this variation is unforgettable in the same way that some of Coke’s other products are.

Despite the drink’s creamsicle-like aroma, I thought the notes of orange and vanilla fell a bit flat on the flavor end of things. Although I could faintly detect both of them while downing my first bottle, they were no match against Coca-Cola’s distinct taste, and I felt they blended into the soda’s background a little too much for them to be the only thing setting this drink apart from Coke’s other offerings.

Orange Vanilla Coca Cola in Glass

The best way I can describe the flavor imbalance here is that it’s kind of like if you drank a glass of Orange Fanta and neglected to rinse out your cup before refilling it with Coke. You can still taste the Fanta, but it’s not the focus of what’s now in the cup, and it clearly tastes like something that wasn’t an original part of the soda.

Is there anything else you should know?

Although adding orange and vanilla to Coca-Cola sounds simple, the company spared no expense in testing this product before adding it into its official lineup. After being successfully test-marketed in Canada last summer, it’s been stuck in R&D to fine-tune its flavor and advertising campaign before hitting American shelves just in time for March Madness.

Conclusion:

While Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola isn’t going to rock the soda industry, it’s a decent enough addition to Coke’s family of Classics. I recommend giving it a shot if you happen to come across a bottle but don’t go out of your way to track one down.

Purchased Price: $3.33
Size: 6 16.9 oz. bottles
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (16.9 oz) 200 calories, 0 calories from fat, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 45 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of total carbohydrates, 55 grams of total sugars, 55 grams of added sugars, 0 grams of protein, and 0 grams of dietary fiber.

REVIEW: TruMoo After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk

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TruMoo After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk

What is TruMoo After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk?

It’s part of TruMoo’s decadent line of flavored milk that has a name that I only say using a seductive whisper.

The line also includes Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel and Vanilla & Chai Spice. This spicy flavor is dark chocolate milk with notes of cinnamon and a kick of chili pepper. The dairy base is whole milk, and it’s sweetened with real cane sugar.

How is it?

The chocolate and cinnamon in the ultra-pasteurized milk help create a delicious treat that the artificial growth hormone-free cows used to provide the base of the beverage would be proud of. Unfortunately, the ingredients list doesn’t contain cinnamon. Instead, it’s under “Natural Flavors.” But, the milk’s tastiness helps me turn a blind eye to that.

TruMoo After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk Closeup

As for the burn one would expect with Mexican-style chocolate, it’s there and it happens on the back of my throat. Most of the time it occurs after the first sip, but other times it takes a second sip for the spiciness to hit. To me, it isn’t intense. It’s below a hot cinnamon candy. But if you’re sensitive to spicy foods, definitely avoid it.

Is there anything else you need to know?

TruMoo After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk Pour

If you avoid carrageenan, this is not a beverage for you. But speaking of liquid thickeners, maybe it’s just me but, I found this flavored milk to be thicker than others I’ve had. Along with the seaweed extract, the milk also has cellulose gum to help thicken it. There’s also cellulose fiber, which after a lazy Google search, I still don’t know what it does. Is it another thickener? Maybe one of the food scientists in the audience can educate me.

Also, I’m a little sad this doesn’t come in a half gallon size.

Conclusion:

I like TruMoo’s After Dark Mexican Style Chocolate Milk. I also like TruMoo’s decision to branch out into flavors that seem more mature and creative than what TruMoo is mostly known for, which is adding food dyes to vanilla flavored milk.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 1 quart
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) 230 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 27 grams of sugar, and 9 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Honey Brunches of Oats Chicken & Waffles and Maple Bacon Donuts Cereals

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Post Honey Brunches of Oats Limited Edition Chicken Waffles Cereal

It’s odd to see onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, marjoram, sage, and thyme in the ingredients list for a breakfast cereal. But there they are on the side of the box for Limited Edition Honey Brunches of Oats Chicken & Waffles Cereal.

Oh, this is NOT an April Fools joke.

Even though I have the skills, software, mischievous disposition, and a nearby FedEx Office to print what I need to create fake packaging, Honey Brunches of Oats Chicken & Waffles and Maple Bacon Donuts Cereals are real. Pinch yourself, slap yourself, tickle yourself, or drop your phone on your toe to prove you’re not dreaming.

Post Honey Brunches of Oats Limited Edition Maple Bacon Donuts Cereal

Post has rolled out these two flavors to celebrate National Cereal Day, which is celebrated annually on March 7 and celebrated almost daily by those who have a large dedicated section in their kitchen for cereal.

Chicken & Waffles combines waffle-shaped maple cereal, savory chicken drumstick-shaped pieces, and frosted and unfrosted flakes. Maple Bacon Donut comes with dark-colored smoky donut-shaped loops and frosted and unfrosted flakes. To be honest, eating unfrosted flakes is scarier than chomping on chicken-flavored cereal.

Post Honey Brunches of Oats Limited Edition Chicken Waffles Cereal Closeup

Post Honey Brunches of Oats Limited Edition Maple Bacon Donuts Cereal Closeup

Even though chicken and bacon are in the names, the meat flavoring is artificial, and Post makes sure to let you know with disclaimers that say no chickens or pigs were harmed in the making of either cereal.

Both have that sweet underlying aroma that’s present with any Honey Bunches of Oats variety. That smell is a good start, but it doesn’t lead to a satisfying finish.

When eaten alone, I could taste the onion powder, garlic powder, etc. used with the chicken-shaped pieces and the artificial smokiness in the cereal loops. I could see myself eating the former as a snack, even though it seems weird to have them in a bowl of cereal and I don’t think of them as tasting like “fried chicken.” But the acrid smoky flavor from the latter doesn’t sit right with my tongue. Perhaps “smoky” isn’t the right adjective. It’s more like sweet burnt flavored.

As odd as it sounds to have those flavors in breakfast cereal, most of the savoriness gets lost among the sweeter components. With the chicken pieces, there are moments when I taste it, but for the most part, the maple stands out. The bacon-flavored loops also fade into the rest of the cereal. Thankfully, the burntness isn’t too noticeable, but all the different flavors seem to negate each other in an unusual way that creates a bland tasting cereal.

As you can tell, if I had to choose one over the other, it would be Chicken & Waffles by a lot. It’s 95 percent waffle/maple flavored, which makes for a decent cereal, but I wish I could taste more chicken.

With both it’s disappointing they aren’t either great tasting or really gross. If they were great tasting, I’d encourage you to buy them so you could experience the magic. If they were really gross, I’d encourage you to buy them for novelty sake and so you could experience the horror. But since they are neither, I don’t think they’re worth your time or money, or a good way to celebrate National Cereal Day.

Thanks to TIB reader Dale M for sending me both cereals.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 11 oz. box (Chicken & Waffles)
Size: 13 oz. box (Maple Bacon Donuts)
Purchased at: Giant Eagle
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Chicken & Waffles)
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Maple Bacon Donuts)
Nutrition Facts: (3/4 cup without milk) Chicken & Waffles – 110 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 40 milligrams of potassium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Maple Bacon Donuts – 110 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 45 milligrams of potassium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

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