Thorntons Cloudy Lemonade

In a change from the norm, I felt this block was worthy of a review feature for few different reasons. Thorntons are celebrating their 100^th anniversary and are currently having a really hard time of it. Seeing as this was one of the anniversary products, and that a little bit of support for the old dog wouldn’t go amiss, I upgraded this to review status!

The bar comes in a 100g square block, which is packaged inside foil and this minimalist box. It looks neat on the shelves and when opened up allows the chocolate to be appreciated at its optimum. A combination of white chocolate, lemon oil and popping candy is used to emulate a classic Lemonade drink, and even though not one of the constituents are particularly favourable to me, I was mightily impressed with its execution.

Popping candy is a divisive inclusion, but I felt that it was both well implemented and befitting of the bars concept, and the creamy feel of the white choc was similar to the thicker texture of cloudy artisan lemonade. A light lemon smell had come from the bar, and the citrus flavour was balanced well, and without the poor cheesiness I have experienced elsewhere.

So why are Thorntons in trouble? They clearly can make some fine chocolate, give them a hand and buy a bar (or two!).

Mrs Crimbles Giant Chocolate Macaroon

I will get it out of the way now; I’m not very familiar with macaroons so my opinion is a shot in the dark really! I’ve been trying a variety of wheat and/or gluten free foods recently out of curiosity initiated by a friend who is intolerant to such stuff and having seen these often in supermarkets, I bought it to taste.

The first thing I noticed was its substantial weight, and its neat star shape. The macaroon itself is soft and gooey, with a crisper crust and moist inner portion. The sweetened coconut is the primary taste, and the vanilla that is also evident pleasantly smoothes it off.

The chocolate meanwhile is very subtle, and when separated away tastes rather poor and nasty. It’s clearly not meant to be appreciated on its own, but rather, in this combination it surprisingly helps augment the other constituents of the macaroon, and becomes harmlessly agreeable.

One must note that the product is very rich on belly, and high in fat (well it is coconut Fool!), so don’t expect a light snack. I found it to be a pleasant luxury that can be enjoyed even if one can consume wheat and gluten, and so my explorations in to local free-from isles will continue!

Quordon Muffin Co. Spotted Dick muffin

On the back of my recent review of Quordon’s Apple and Custard limited edition, I decided to have a go at their Spotted dick variant. I have a tendency to be a bit wordy so here’ something a little more economic: swap apple with sultana and you have your review.

Really.

Kettle Chips Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream Crisps

When Kettle chips broke onto the market, they took a crunch out of the field dominated by Walkers, Golden Wonder and Tayto, (even I have to say these crisp puns are tenuous!) offering a new product for the previously un-catered for gourmet crisp muncher (this was Britain in the 90’s I remind you).

Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar was one of their early variations, likewise the idea of sweet chilli flavour is thanks to the likes of them, and both have since become staple flavours in our collective junk food diets.

This one in particular was revised about a year ago and incorporated the additional flavour of sour cream to the base of Sweet Chilli, and as far as I’m concerned it’s a twist on a now common flavour, but a twist that is only in part successful.

The old chilli crisps had a warm, slightly acerbic heat but with a cunning sweetness that negated the objections of a sensitive palate and pulled you back for more. It allowed both characteristics to be appreciated fully, but now the sour cream has rounded out the flavour, making it appeal to more of ones tastes but diminishes their character on the overall flavour. The resultant crisp has tamed what little threat their once was, and obscured the previous merits, however it adds a new enjoyable creaminess that is none the less worthwhile. The smell also shares this feature, but I consider, unlike its onion or chive counterparts, the sweet chilli to be too submissive and never really matching up to the role.

Looking back at the packet, I feel the sour cream sub-title should have equal billing since it now shares the taste sensation, but as far as creamy, slightly warm crisps go, these aren’t too bad at all.

Cathedral City with Pickle snack pot

Cheese and pickle is a classic combination, so what happens when the two best selling brands in their respective categories are combined into a single-serve pot? This. Cathedral cheddar, if you are unfamiliar with it, is creamy and easily palatable, although I do prefer a stronger cheese, whilst the Branston here tasted oddly more acidic than normally. Although it does tend to be a somewhat acidic preserve anyway, the pot didn’t seem to have some of the flavour development that mellows out the sharpness but none the less it was a typical Branston pickle, with substantial chunks and satisfactory serve size for the 5 sticks of cheese.

This always was a safe bet, and one that you can’t help but always know exactly what to expect.