Tesco Finest Creamy Brie & Cranberry Crisps

December 11, 2017, 6:35 am

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Tesco have quite a track record for unusual crisp flavours at Christmas. Last year they did the tasty Cocoa & Spiced Rum Crisps, this year the weird Candy Cane Crisps, and amongst the seasonal range I spotted this relatively more-normal-but-still-novel flavour, Creamy Brie and Cranberry. I wasn't sure about berries mixed with cheese as a crisp flavour so I went with my curiosity...

For £1 a bag these are described simply as "Brie and cranberry flavour crinkle cut potato crisps". Opening the bag they certainly had a super strong cheesy aroma.

They tasted super cheesy indeed, as you would expect from brie flavoured crisps! It was quite overpowering - these definitely aren't for the faint of heart and are clearly only for those who truly love their cheese. The cranberry flavor adds a slight sour tartness, it's subtle but you can (just) taste it amongst all the cheese.

Overall, these are some cheesy crisps indeed, and I imagine you'll either love or hate them. They'd certainly make an interesting addition to any festive party or buffet!

7 out of 10.

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Coffeegator Pour Over Coffee Maker & Canister Review

December 12, 2017, 2:24 am

≫ Next: Marks & Spencer Chocolate Marbled Mallows

≪ Previous: Tesco Finest Creamy Brie & Cranberry Crisps

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Today's review is for something a bit different. A while back I was sent some CoffeeGator products to review, and it's taken some time to get to them but I thought they'd be perfect for the festive season. Because coffee always makes a great gift! And also because I've been busy using these products to get a feel for them, and can safely say now that I love them - they've made life as a coffee lover so much easier! (For someone who doesn't have a Nespresso machine, anyway!)

One of the products I was sent is The CoffeeGator Coffee Canister, a swish metal canister designed to keep your coffee super fresh as though the packet has just been opened. This is achieved with a special valve in the lid, which allows C02 to leave the canister but stops air and light getting in and affecting the flavour. It definitely keeps the coffee tasting fresher for longer, with no more having to clip pegs onto packets like I used to do!

The canister also comes with a stainless steel measuring spoon to scoop out your coffee with.

The CoffeeGator Pour Over Coffee Maker is a glass jug that looks something like an hourglass, with a metal sieve part sat above a wider jug base.

All you do is simply measure out a few spoonfuls of filter coffee into the filter, boil the kettle and pour hot water over it. And watch as it drips through and makes you an almost-instant cuppa! There's indentations on the jug to inform you how many cups have been filtered, which is very handy since it means you can decide just how shaky (in other words: full of adrenaline) you'd like to be!

I love this coffee maker, it's so handy and much easier to clean than a cafetiere. It's also faster and very satisfying to just watch the coffee dripping throughout the filter in the morning. It's almost like a meditation - never mind watching paint dry, watching coffee drip is where it's at! Once ready you just remove the filter and pour your freshly brewed coffee straight from the jug. And repeat once you've finished!

I've been using this for a while now and it's saved so much time and effort, because with a cafetiere I would spend ages just scooping out the coffee grounds and rinsing the filters afterwards to make sure they don't get mouldy. With this, all it requires is a brief rinse of the filter section and jug. Easy peasy!

Overall, in case you can't tell I love this product! For someone busy wanting good tasting fresh coffee this is the ideal solution. I now consider cafeteries a stone age contraption! Now, what I really really want this Christmas, Santa Baby, is a Nespresso machine...

9 out of 10. 

For more info on CoffeeGator their website is: https://coffeegator.com/

Marks & Spencer Chocolate Marbled Mallows

December 13, 2017, 4:07 am

≫ Next: Waitrose Snowdrop Chantenay Carrots

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The big day isn't far away and the festive treats are flowing...well, they are if you review snacks anyway! Marks & Spencer have been leading the pack this year in terms of interesting Christmas foods, from the likes of Milk Chocolate Cinnamon Tortillas, Prosecco Caramels and even a Christmas Pudding Smoothie. For more do check out my Instagram page (there's updates daily!).

One thing I decided to try recently were these Chocolate Marbled Mallows, purely because they were reduced to £3, come in a fancy box and contain no suspect ingredients (for someone avoiding gluten, anyway!)

They're described as "vanilla mallow with marbled dark chocolate" and come in a fancy wooden tube style box, which you peel open to reveal a bag of mallow chunks.

They certainly looked super squishy and bouncy, with a nice chocolatey swirled effect going on. Plus there was the obligatory dusting of icing sugar.

They tasted pretty good, sweet and chewy and as you would expect, although I couldn't taste the dark chocolate much. There was a hint of cocoa flavour in there but it was overpowered by the sugary sweet mallow. Still these were pretty tasty and better quality than your average cheap marshmallow.

Overall, are these a win? Not quite, they're lacking that bit of "oomph" to make them not just any marshmallow, but an M&S marshmallow...still, they're pretty tasty if quality mallows are your thing. They'd also make a lovely gift just for the tube alone.

7 out of 10.

Waitrose Snowdrop Chantenay Carrots

December 14, 2017, 2:41 am

≫ Next: Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange Review

≪ Previous: Marks & Spencer Chocolate Marbled Mallows

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Taking a break from the constant deluge of sugary treats this festive season, I've decided to review something a little more normal but still fitting for Christmas and the snowy weather - snowdrop carrots! No, these are not parsnips despite looking like them, they are actually carrots and taste like carrots. So what's the difference between these white versus orange carrots? And are they just parsnip-carrot wannabes?

I bought these from Waitrose, reduced to 85p from £1.50. I peeled, boiled and chopped them as you would regular carrots. Taking a bite of a slice before cooking, I was subconsciously expecting the taste of a parsnip...but they tasted just like a carrot, albeit slightly sweeter and lighter. They didn't seem as "heavy" tasting as regular carrots is the best way I can describe them!

Cooked and mashed, they were also a little sweeter and lighter tasting than regular carrots, but not much different. It was nice to have something creamy looking and white to fit with the snowy weather we've been having lately, and no doubt these will make a nice variation for stews or curries depending on what colours you like. Yes, there's not really much need for them but hey, they were interesting to try!

7.5 out of 10. 

Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange Review

December 15, 2017, 12:59 am

≫ Next: Marks & Spencer Dark Chocolate with Clementine

≪ Previous: Waitrose Snowdrop Chantenay Carrots

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Today's review is for a chocolate I have yet to feature and one that is long overdue. I've done most of Terry's Chocolate Orange range now but somehow this classic Dark variety slipped me by. Well not anymore!

With Mondelez continually cheapening their chocolates with added sugar and vegetable fat I wondered how the latest version of this classic dark chocolate would taste. I certainly didn't expect it to taste quite as woeful as it did, so let this review serve as a warning and hopefully a wake up call: invest in better quality chocolate this festive season (the Magnum Signature Orange Milk Chocolate is much better quality!)

The Milk Chocolate Terry's Chocolate Orange is a classic Christmas staple, and they've done some interesting variations over the years from Exploding Candy to Toffee Crunch, as well as White Chocolate (which I reviewed back in 2013!), White Chocolate Smasher and even a Chocolate Orange Goes Minty variety. All of them delicious in their own ways, and I sorely miss the white chocolate version. However the Dark Chocolate variety has been a permanent fixture alongside the Milk since... forever, presumably to cater to the dark chocolate lovers despite the fact it also contains milk in the ingredients.

And sadly it's pretty naff. The dark chocolate doesn't even taste like a decent quality semisweet chocolate anymore, it's some weird greasy mixture with an odd milky flavour mixed in. It just tastes wrong, and not the sweet orangey dark chocolate you would expect at all. I don't know if they changed the recipe in recent years but it's just so awful and sickly - I didn't feel like eating more than a piece, which is unusual for me!

Overall, what can I say but avoid this chocolate?! It may have once been a decent chocolatey staple to please grandpa, but not anymore. Just look how waxy it is in the pic above - chocolate that shiny ain't natural! I think it's now safe to add Chocolate Orange to the list of confectionery products that used to be good but have gone down the toilet.

3  out of 10.

Marks & Spencer Dark Chocolate with Clementine

December 17, 2017, 12:57 am

≫ Next: Twinings Cranberry & Blood Orange Tea

≪ Previous: Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange Review

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Since my last review was for the poor quality Terry's  Dark Chocolate Orange, I thought I'd brighten things up and spread some festive joy by reviewing a much better quality orangey chocolate - and not just any orangey chocolate - Marks and Spencer's Dark Chocolate with Clementine! Yes, regular old oranges are not posh enough for M&S and they've flavoured their bar with clementine instead, so how does it fare?

I've had this in the archives for a while now, just waiting to be reviewed, and what better time than the festive season? This is a single origin Peru dark chocolate with 52% cocoa solids, blended with clementine oil. A bit different from the usual orange oil found in most orange dark chocolates! The bar I bought was in the mini 35g range for around 80p, although you can buy larger 100g bars for £2.

The 35g bar is just the right size for a nice chocolatey hit, I really enjoyed it. The clementine oil is a bit zestier than regular orange, slightly tarter and blends well with the rich Peruvian dark chocolate. I'm glad it's semisweet chocolate though as anything darker might have clashed too much with the clementine. Make no mistake this is far better quality than the Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange, and a lot more suitable for dark chocolate and orange chocolate lovers. It's also dairy free, vegan and contains zero vegetable fat - hurrah!

If you want some good quality orange chocolate this Chrsitmas invest in one of the larger 100g bars - they might cost a little more than Terry's but are well worth it!

8.5 out of 10. 

Twinings Cranberry & Blood Orange Tea

December 18, 2017, 1:15 pm

≫ Next: Asda Free From Mince Pies Improved Recipe Review

≪ Previous: Marks & Spencer Dark Chocolate with Clementine

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Taking a break from the indulgent foods this festive season, today we have a healthier product, Twinings Cranberry & Blood Orange Herbal tea. This is the perfect drink for the festive season, and a nice way to warm up without loads of calories. I found these teabags in Poundland but most supermarkets stock them I believe.

They taste as you would exspect, warming tart cranberry with the sweeter, punchy blood orange, making for a great combination. I added some stevia to mine as I always do with hot drinks, for a hint of sweetness without the calories. I'm constantly sipping on this stuff in these Winter months, it's such a treat in the mornings especially! Also good when trying to watch your caffeine intake before bedtime.

Overall, I would highly recommend this Twinings tea, they do a great range in general but this one is particularly suited to the Winter months!

8 out of 10.

Asda Free From Mince Pies Improved Recipe Review

December 19, 2017, 10:54 am

≫ Next: Nakd Blueberry Muffin Review

≪ Previous: Twinings Cranberry & Blood Orange Tea

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I reviewed Asda's Free From Mince Pies last year, but this year they have only gone and bloomin' improved them (again), so here I am reviewing the new and improved versions. The things I do for food research haha!

It's always nice to have more gluten free varieties, and thankfully all the supermarkets are expanding their options all the time - with even Aldi currently doing Gluten Free Mince Pies and Christmas Puddings. It's a step in the right direction for us gluten free folk for sure. I do enjoy Asda's offering, in fact I'd say they're the best budget gluten free mince pies around.

Free from Dairy and Gluten, but sadly not egg these aren't suitable for vegans. And despite the lack of butter, the pastry on these still tastes lovely and buttery, melt in the mouth and has just the right thickness.

The filling is moist and gooey, with the right balance of fruits and spice, never tasting too syrupy or sugary. In fact it's rather authentic for a cheaper mince pie.

I really loved these, and I would say they have in fact improved since last year, it's hard to say how exactly but perhaps the pastry is a little more buttery tasting and the filling is more plentiful? I'm not sure exactly, but for a bargain gluten free treat this festive season these are an absolute must - that's if they don't go out of stock, as always tends to happen with gluten free festive products! Snap these up while you can!

8.7 out of 10.

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Nakd Blueberry Muffin Review

December 29, 2017, 11:52 am

≫ Next: Marks & Spencer Stoneless Cocktail Avocados

≪ Previous: Asda Free From Mince Pies Improved Recipe Review

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My first post-Christmas review...hurrah! And in typical fashion it's for something healthy, which is just what the doctor ordered after all the rich food and sweets over the festive season.

This new Blueberry Muffin flavour Nakd bar caught my eye in a local Sainsbury's Express only a few days after Christmas, and being a huge fan of their other varieties it went straight into my basket. How would it compare to previous editions like Lemon Drizzle and Carrot Cake?

The bar cost 85p and consists of a mixture of dates, cashews, raisins, almonds, blueberries and a hint of natural flavouring. Opening the wrapper it had a super strong blueberry aroma - wow it smelled like a blueberry muffin alright!

Taking a bite, it tasted even more of blueberry muffin than I'd expected. I mean yeah I expected blueberry, but the cashews and almonds actually gave it a muffin-like taste and texture. This was a real treat indeed, and better than some of the previous limited editions, in my opinion, including the Lemon Drizzle. 

Overall, a very tasty bar indeed that feels like a genuine treat, perfect for any healthier eating new years resolutions, as well as the upcoming #veganuary season! 

8.5 out of 10.

Marks & Spencer Stoneless Cocktail Avocados

January 6, 2018, 1:36 am

≫ Next: Loving Earth Creamy Coconut Mylk Chocolate (Vegan)

≪ Previous: Nakd Blueberry Muffin Review

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Now that the Christmas festivities are over with and everyone will (hopefully) be focusing on healthier ways of eating for 2018, I thought I should review these Marks and Spencer cocktail Avocados, which are available for a limited period I believe. They are stoneless, so if you're one of those unfortunate people to sustain injuries cutting into the regular variety (I know people this has actually happened to!) these may be the avocadoes for you. The skin is also edible (apparently - I haven't tried!) and they look somewhat like large gherkins. You get around five or six per pack and they cost £2.

I chose not to eat the skin, it just seems wrong. Just because you "can" doesn't mean you should! So I used a potato peeler and peeled it all off.

They tasted pretty nice; creamy and comforting, although there isn't quite as much of the creamy flesh part as in a regular avocado so it's more of a firmer chewy texture for most of the eat. They're still nice though and make for a handy healthy snack.

Overall, I have to say I would actually buy and eat these again thanks to how convenient they are, plus they're reasonably priced too. Definitely worth looking out for in this healthier snacking season - and perfect for #veganuary!

8 out of 10. 

Loving Earth Creamy Coconut Mylk Chocolate (Vegan)

January 7, 2018, 12:01 pm

≫ Next: Chocolate Tree Coconut Milk Dairy Free Chocolate (#Veganuary)

≪ Previous: Marks & Spencer Stoneless Cocktail Avocados

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Today's review in honour of #veganuary is for something I hoped would be a bit of a treat for someone avoiding dairy. This bar, or rather heart is made in Australia by Loving Earth with coconut "mylk" as well as coconut nectar to make it somewhat of a vegan milk chocolate. I reviewed the Loving Earth Salted Caramel last year and enjoyed it, so was curious how this would compare to that bar.

Coconut nectar is the first ingredient, followed by virgin cacao butter, coconut, and finally raw cacao beans. The bar cost me £1.75 from a local vegan store. The ingredients are certified organic and fairtrade.

Opening the wrapper, I have to say I wasn't too excited by the dusty looking chocolate. I don't know if it's a "blooming" effect or caused by being transported from the other side of the world but it didn't look great. Still, the heart shape is a nice touch so I'll let them off.

Sadly, I can't say I enjoyed the taste. The texture is rather greasy and fatty, probably because cacao butter is so high in the ingredients list, which would usually be a good thing but it's just too overwhelming. The coconut nectar isn't sweet enough to compete with it, and the overall flavour leaves something to be desired. Compared to the delicious Waitrose 1 Indian Ocean Coconut Dark Chocolate this is nowhere near as good.

Overall, I have to say this was a disappointment for me, but hopefully it's an anomaly in Loving Earth's range because I do like that they use high quality ingredients, and they do some interesting varieties such as Turkish Delight.

6 out of 10. 

Chocolate Tree Coconut Milk Dairy Free Chocolate (#Veganuary)

January 8, 2018, 2:13 pm

≫ Next: New Nestle Orange Smarties Mini Eggs Review

≪ Previous: Loving Earth Creamy Coconut Mylk Chocolate (Vegan)

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After the disappointing Loving Earth Coconut Mylk Bar, I thought I'd review something a bit tastier for #veganuary, this time it's Chocolate Tree's Coconut Milk & Sugar 55% cocoa bar. I found this in the same vegan store as Loving Earth Coconut Mylk, and it's priced higher at £4.65 for 80g, but boy is it worth the extra money.

I've tried a few coconut milk chocolate bars now in the search for something tasty, the best one so far being the Waitrose 1 Indian Ocean Coconut Dark Chocolate (which isn't really dark chocolate - it's far too creamy!). If you're vegan or dairy free I would recommend seeking that one out for sure.

Back to today's bar, the chocolate is actually split into two plastic foil wrapped bars within the main box, each containing 40g. They have a patterned design and interesting shaped blocks.

The pack description reads "An alternative to milk chocolate made with coconut milk and coconut blossom sugar. The cacao we use for the chocolate is from the community of Chililique in Piura, Northern Peru". The chocolate is made in Scotland.

Snapping the bar in half, it has quite a soft snap which I wasn't expecting. Taking a bite, it's definitely soft and smooth in texture, very melt in the mouth. And I really enjoyed it! It's creamy thanks to the coconut and coconut sugar but with a rich cocoa aftertaste, somewhat acidic and very flavoursome. I really enjoyed this, and am happy to pay the higher price for it. You can tell it's much better quality than cheaper chocolates.

Compared to the Waitrose 1 Indian Ocean Coconut Chocolate I wouldn't say this is superior, but it certainly gives it a run for its money. The Waitrose 1 bar will always be my favourite coconutty chocolate; such a shame they are always out of stock!

8 out of 10. 

New Nestle Orange Smarties Mini Eggs Review

January 12, 2018, 9:39 am

≫ Next: Drink Me Chai Turmeric Latte Review (#veganuary)

≪ Previous: Chocolate Tree Coconut Milk Dairy Free Chocolate (#Veganuary)

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I never thought the day would come but at last, Smarties have not only made their mini eggs gluten free for this Easter, they have also launched their much-loved Orange Smarties in mini egg form. Hurrah!!!

I had vowed not to touch any sweets after New Year's but I just couldn't resist the temptation of these, everyone knows the orange Smarties were the best (hence why Nestle did an Orange Smarties Sharing Tube last Christmas).

The eggs are described as "milk chocolate mini eggs in a crisp orange flavoured sugar shell" and the bag weighs in at 90g. I found them for £1 in WH Smiths. Opening the bag, the eggs looked all shiny and glossy with a sweet orangey aroma.

Crunching into one I was met with the orange shell, which was strongly flavoured and very yummy indeed. It seemed more prominent than in regular Orange Smarties, probably because of the different proportions, but I'm sure regular Orange Smarties have orange flavoured chocolate rather than shell? Anyone know? (I can't eat regular Smarties to do a comparison since they contain gluten).

The chocolate is standard milky Nestle chocolate, very sweet and non descript but it goes perfectly with the orange shells and makes for a delicious, if not super sugary, treat.

Overall, as far as Mini Eggs go these are a lot of fun and a great novelty, provided you like orange chocolate of course! I would buy these over Cadbury Mini Eggs any day since those just aren't so great anymore.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, dried whole milk, whey powder, butterfat, glazing agents (gum arabic, carnauba wax), emulsifier soya lecithin, flavourings, colours (curcumin, beta carotene).

Nutrition Information (per 5 mini eggs): 85 calories, 3.1g fat, 13.3g carbohydrates, 12.2g sugars, 0.8g protein.

8.5 out of 10.

Drink Me Chai Turmeric Latte Review (#veganuary)

January 17, 2018, 1:00 am

≫ Next: New! Kitkat Lemon Drizzle (Spotted In Shops)

≪ Previous: New Nestle Orange Smarties Mini Eggs Review

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In case you haven’t heard about the health benefits of turmeric yet, allow me to introduce you to this super herb; it's been shown act as an antioxidant, reportedly protecting against Alzheimer's disease and being anti microbial too. It's a staple of many healing diets and is what gives curry powder it's orangey hue. It can be used in supplement form as Curcumin, or a somewhat more tasty and interesting Turmeric Latte. There’s many recipes for how to make these online, but no need to bother with all that now; Drink me Chai have come to the rescue with their new Turnmeric Latte Mix!

Suitable for vegans and gluten free, this mix can be made with any type of milk but it is recommended to use a dairy free milk to get all the anti inflammatory benefits of the turmeric.

The mix consists of Turmeric (50%), Coconut Powder (45%), Cinnamon and ground black pepper.

I made it with a can of coconut milk I'd bought from Waitrose, but unfortunately it wasn’t one of the nicer coconut milks and so didn’t taste that great. Next time I plan to try it with Rude Health Coconut Milk, I'm sure it’ll be a lot nicer! I definitely got a boost from it though; and I’m pretty sure I could feel it working it’s anti-inflammatory magic.

Overall, this is a great product from Drink Me Chai and I am pleased to see a company promoting the health benefits of turmeric. I take the capsule form of Curcumin myself and find it very helpful.

If you’ve tried making this using other types of milk please do let me know in the comments!

8 out of 10.

New! Kitkat Lemon Drizzle (Spotted In Shops)

January 23, 2018, 3:38 am

≫ Next: Rebel Kitchen Chai Dairy Free Mylk Review

≪ Previous: Drink Me Chai Turmeric Latte Review (#veganuary)

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Just a quick comeback for Spotted In Shops as I have been very busy lately, but I had to let you all know about this new "Love it or hate it" flavour Kitkat from Nestle - Lemon Drizzle! Featuring "lemon flavour milk chocolate" coating the wafers, this sounds either very nice or disgusting - a definite marmite flavour. Strange that they didn't use white chocolate since it goes much better with lemon, but there you go! If anyone tries this please do let me know in the comments! (I can't as it contains wheat).

Available at Asda. £1.99 for a multipack. 

Love it? Hate it? Can't find it? Let me know!

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Rebel Kitchen Chai Dairy Free Mylk Review

January 24, 2018, 1:56 am

≫ Next: Nature's Charm Condensed Coconut Milk (#Veganuary)

≪ Previous: New! Kitkat Lemon Drizzle (Spotted In Shops)

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I've been playing around with coconut versions of many popular foods and drinks now, from Rebel Kitchen's Coffee drink, to Coconut Chips and Coconut Milk Chocolate. Another one to add to my list was this cold Chai Milk - or rather "Mylk" - drink, made with coconut milk and chai spices.

The ingredients are: Spring Water, Organic Coconut Milk (11%), Organic Date Nectar, Organic Cacao (2%), Organic Cinnamon, Organic Turmeric, Organic Cardamom. It's suitable for vegans, caffeine free as well as gluten free.

It tasted pleasant, mildly sweet with a nice subtle chai flavour that was refreshing. It wasn't quite the pick me up I wanted though - not enough sugar for an energy boost and no caffeine - boo! But still it was definitely pleasant and refreshing.

Overall, this is a nice refreshing drink, but I would put it more in the category of coconut water rather than true "milky" drinks because it's a bit too light.

7.5 out of 10. 

Nature's Charm Condensed Coconut Milk (#Veganuary)

January 25, 2018, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Eggs

≪ Previous: Rebel Kitchen Chai Dairy Free Mylk Review

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If you're dairy free, one of the big things you may miss from your dairy eating days might be caramel, that lovely sugary substance made from a base of condensed milk. Luckily now thanks to Nature's Charm you can get a vegan variety - condensed coconut milk! Who knew such a thing was possible?

When I saw this in my local vegan store my eyes perked up - I HAD to have it! I love coconut milk and use it in all manner of dishes, so this was the next best thing. Consisting of a mixture of sugar and coconut milk, presumably cooked together to form this gloopy thick syrup.

Opening the can, it was very thick and already looked like caramel, but with a sweet coconut aroma.

I tried a spoonful by itself, and it had a lovely fudgey coconut flavour. I had to be careful not to eat too much - it tasted absolutely delicious! This is seriously dangerous stuff and would make a good addition to all manner of things from coffee, cakes, or simpy spread on toast.

I used the rest of it to make a dairy free fudge using dark chocolate, mixing it with melted Green & Blacks and letting it set. It was very delicious and made for a super rich fudge.

Overall, this is a fantastic product and a must-have for any vegan or anyone avoiding dairy that misses condensed milk based treats. I've heard there's a way to turn it into caramel involving a pressure cooker - but you have to wait overnight, and sadly I didn't have such patience, haha!

8.5 out of 10.

Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Eggs

January 27, 2018, 5:53 am

≫ Next: Nestle Milkybar Mini Eggs (now #glutenfree!)

≪ Previous: Nature's Charm Condensed Coconut Milk (#Veganuary)

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Reese's Peanut Butter comes in an array of different shapes and sizes these days so it's only fitting that it would be put in egg form to celebrate Easter. Easter is usually dominated by Cadbury's Creme Egg but it seems this year Reese's want to muscle in on their territory. These Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Eggs can be found in Tesco and Tesco Express stores for 50p each or three for £1. They contain milk, peanuts and corn derived dextrose so don't consume if you're allergic to any of those.

The size is a little smaller than a Cadbury Creme Egg but the shape is pretty similar, albeit with some patterned grooves along the sides. I bit off the top to reveal the peanut butter filling beneath.

It tastes pretty much how you'd expect it to; firm, sweet peanut paste like you can get in any Reese's product. There's a nice ratio of filling to the chocolate, making for a sweet, nutty salty flavour explosion. It's very delicious and just the right size for a nice sweet pick-me-up!

Overall, while I don't think this will be taking Cadbury Creme Egg's sugary crown (especially with their new promotion to find a White Chocolate Creme Egg) it's still a respectable alternative for the peanut butter lovers out there.

8.5 out of 10.

Nestle Milkybar Mini Eggs (now #glutenfree!)

January 29, 2018, 2:23 am

≫ Next: Marks & Spencer Jazzie Eggs

≪ Previous: Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Eggs

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After my excitement over the new Nestle Orange Smarties Mini Eggs being #glutenfree (hurrah!) I further discovered that not only are the regular Smarties Mini Eggs gluten free, but so are their Milkybar Mini Eggs counterparts. Exciting times! I don't know why they needed to put wheat gluten in the originals in the first place - but there you go - it's an odd world we live in. They now contain rice starch, presumably as a bulking agent.

These cost £1 and are available from various supermarkets, although I found them in Tesco. They're your typical Milkybar white chocolate encased in a white crisp sugar shell. A simple, sugary and tasty combination!

They may not be all that exciting to look at but they sure were very tasty. Sugar is of course the most prominent flavour, followed by milk. The crunchy texture makes them more interesting than just eating plain Milkybar and keeps you reaching for one after the other, making for a very moreish snack. These may not win awards for innovation but they will certainly keep kids and big kids alike happy this Easter!

Overall, this is definitely one for the sugar lovers and anyone who's just a big kid at heart and loves some white chocolate! These are also available as a mixed bag with Smarties Mini Eggs, available exclusively from Tesco stores for £2.

8.5 out of 10. 

Marks & Spencer Jazzie Eggs

January 31, 2018, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Nestle Mixed Milkybar & Smarties Mini Eggs Pouch

≪ Previous: Nestle Milkybar Mini Eggs (now #glutenfree!)

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I'm a sucker for anything with coloured sprinkles, especially when they also involve white chocolate so when I spotted these NEW M&S Jazzie Eggs recently there was no question of not trying them - dairy or no dairy. Now I've been good for #veganuary and avoided dairy as much as possible, but I just had to try these. Sorry folks - it's the laws of being a snacks blogger!

Described as "solid milk chocolate mini eggs covered in white chocolate with sugar sprinkles" these are a curious mixture of both milk and white chocolate to please fans of both. I do think solid white chocolate would have been a better choice, but hey ho! They cost £1 for a 75g bag.

The eggs are not particularly evenly coated in sprinkles; the initial handful I poured out had sprinkles on just one side of the eggs.

Taking a bite, the shell is somewhat soft with the sprinkles providing a slight crunch, giving way to the milk chocolate centre below.

It's an odd combination, the white chocolate is very milky but clashes a little with the milk chocolate and the contrast between the two somewhat spoils the overall effect. They're still very moreish and it's nice to have crunchy sprinkles with white chocolate, but I do think all white chocolate would've been better.

Overall, a nice effort from M&S at trying something a bit different for Easter, and these certainly capture the fun and novelty of Jazzie sweets in mini egg form. I wouldn't buy them again personally but I bet kiddies will love them.

8 out of 10.