|
|
|
Weekly Candy
IN QUESTION: Dredging a weeks-old Easter basket for snacks, I came up with this Cocoa Pebbles Treat by the lovely people at Post. Cemented with sticky marshmallow and striped with chocolate, it’s the same principle as the classic Rice Krispie Treat, only made with a far, far better cereal (one of my bad-for-you favorites), begging the question: Why have I not thought of this before?
WHERE TO BUY: This was a gift (presumably for a child) so while I can’t say for sure, I’d wager Target has them by the box.
HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: At only 90 calories each, polishing off two to three would be permissible, but unfortunately, Cocoa Pebbles Treats have the same weird ... something as pre-packaged Rice Krispie Treat. You know what I mean. The boxed version never tastes the same as homemade. I suspect it has something to do with Post’s dumb use of hydrogenated vegetable oils instead of the good ol' fashioned butter.
FINER POINTS: Brilliant idea, poor execution befalls Cocoa Pebbles Treats. Good news is you can make ‘em at home, or stop by Shop 543, Urban Outfitters' swank cafeteria, where I’ve seen Pebbles Treats in both Cocoa and Fruity form.
Photo: Adam Erace
Once a week (sorry, we missed a few weeks!), Team Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden fixations. Do not tell our dentist.
IN QUESTION: Made by Nestlé and distributed most heavily overseas, the signature characteristic of the Aero chocolate bar is its pockmarked (aerated) filling, hundreds of little bubbles that make for interesting snacking. All those mini air pockets make it melt funny (especially when frozen), in an appealing sort of way. There are many flavours flavors flavours — classic milk chocolate, one with a caramel layer, a bunch of fruity varieties — but my fave is mint. Aero Bars are insanely popular in the U.K., like Helen Mirren's Bosom popular.
WHERE TO BUY: Seen them around, but this particular one was acquired in the U.K. section of the international aisle at Wegman's in Cherry Hill (2100 Rt. 70 West). I believe that it's located close to the "New Age Beverages" aisle, which IS THE STUPIDEST AISLE I'VE EVER SEEN GOD THAT AISLE MAKES ME SO MAD.
HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: A serving size of one full bar is accepted and appropriate, especially considering much of the Aero bar is air, and you need air to live, so therefore Aero bars are necessary for living purposes. Logic, baby.
FINER POINTS: The Aero Bar's composition has actually helped Ford develop a new kind of plastic engine cover — one that's lighter, but still structurally sound — for its vehicles.
Photo: Drew Lazor
Once a week, Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden obsessions. Do not tell our dentist.
IN QUESTION: Convenience-store Peach Rings! The best thing about these puppies is that they're available at practically any drug store or rest stop in any part of the country. While they vary in terms of quality and flavor, my favorite is the ubiquitous 99-cent, CVS variety — the kind that's stamped with a "seal of quality." Some might prefer the springy, gelatinous-ness of the fancy-pants Haribo peaches, but I'd take these foamy creatures over those any day.
AVAILABLE AT: Practically any pharmacy, gas station or bodega. For reliability, though, get my brand — they're always available, and they're usually sold at the bargain basement price of 99-cents per bag.
HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: Even though I always purchase these with the intention of spreading their consumption out over a period of days, they're typically gone within the hour. Yes, the whole bag, and no, my stomach is never grateful.
FINER POINTS: The sugary coating of these puppies is great, but I've gotta say that the chewy consistency is what makes them a real candy tour de force. The more you chew them, the frothier they become. It's not an entirely digestible sensation, but at least they're full of enough chemicals to keep from getting stale in the bag. Sometimes, I find myself hungering for this totally artificial "food" experience.
 |
| Photo | Erin Finnerty |
Once a week, Team Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden fixations. Do not tell 0ur dentist.
IN QUESTION: I love Easter for all of its pastel-hued pleasantries and for the nostalgic value my mom is the best Easter Bunny ever and it's an excellent time of year to be in a candy aisle. This week, we have a new spin on an Easter classic: Just Born's new Chocolate-Covered Peeps! I immediately decapitated (how macabre) the milk chocolate-covered classic-yellow peep and was a little disappointed. The Peep formula appears to have been altered: These peeps are 2D, lay on their back rather than on their bottoms, and they aren't crusted in sugar dust either, so it lacks that little crunch and strange aftertaste. BOO. These taste like any old marshmallow covered in just-OK chocolate. They lack true Peepiness.
WHERE TO BUY: I've spotted these at a few major retailers around town. These individual packs were found at Rite Aid at 17th and Chestnut (they should sponsor this column already).
HOW MANY DO WE USUALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: I think I've met my match ... I could not finish ONE. They're not terrible, but I just am not feeling it. One individually wrapped Peep is plenty, but you can cop a pack of six that would fit snugly in a big ol' Easter basket.
FINER POINTS: I used to go bananas microwaving Peeps. If nuked for 20 seconds they quadruple in size and are perfect for whipping up some ghetto flameless s'mores if you have the other necessary elements on hand. I don't think the chocolate-covered version would yield the same results, though. The Just Born factory is located a few hours north in Bethlehem, making these almost local. Big ups to regional candy!
Once a week, Team Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden fixations. Do not tell 0ur dentist.
IN QUESTION: One of my favorites, AirHeads XTREMES Rainbow Berry Sweetly Sour Belts. OK, so maybe the people at AirHeads HQ went overboard by calling these "XTREME," but how else are they supposed to sell kids candy these days? The crystalline sour dust is pretty tame and the generic berry flavor is alright (the rainbow colors are just for show and are not individually flavored), but every bite has a surprising sweetness to it. Like, a sweetness greater than that of your average candy. Allow me to reiterate our Weekly Candy slogan: Please don't tell my dentist.
WHERE TO BUY: Rite Aid, 17th and Chestnut. Standard.
HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: They aren't tongue-splittingly sour, so you can comfortably consume an entire eight-belt package. Heck, you might even have some to share with friends (AKA, me).
FINER POINTS: I love these! Back in my candy store-working days (shout out to Sweets from Heaven), I had a signature mix that included these bad boys in their bulk-bin form. Following up on last week's Finer Points: I'm still looking for a tree stump box translator! Inquire within.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Eva Miranda, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Weekly Candy http://tinyurl.com/4mtjrxv [...]
 |
 |
 |
| Photo | Erin Finnerty |
Thanks Michelle! Just don't tell my dentist. No, for real.
Erin, you do such a great job with Weekly Candy!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ranae smithen, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Double-dip WEEKLY CANDY from @erinfinnerty this week! Every Burger, and unnamed tree stump candy (anyone have more info?) http://ow.ly/3YD5r [...]
[...] included these bad boys in their bulk-bin form. Following up on last week’s Finer Points: I’m still looking for a tree stump box translator! Inquire within. WEEKLY CANDY: AirHeads XTREMES Rainbow Berry [...]
 |
| Photo | Erin Finnerty |
Thads - They're like glorified Crispy M&Ms (hence the blue bag), except a bigger ripoff. I demand my $.88 worth.
Overhyped (pretzel M&M's)? I am sorry that you fell prey to fake coconut flavor, while I sit back and enjoy the satisfying combination of crunchy, salty, and sweet. Blasphemy!
If you like real coconut, I really suggest the superior Almond Joy Pieces though they're not sold in individual bags like this, just the big 4 ounce peg bags. (I picked up one at the 99 Cent Only Store earlier this week.) They have real coconut, passable milk chocolate and almond bits in a candy shell. Mars is bringing out a Coconut Twix in a few weeks, look sharp, I hear some stores already have them on shelves.
Did the taste off last night. Pretzel all the way. Coconut tastes like tanning oil. Case closed.
So what's wrong with rock salt and cheap chocolate? It's like winter in Hershey.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mr. Sweettooth, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Thanks to @candyblog for putting us on to COCONUT TWIX, coming out soon! *swoon* http://bit.ly/i48kJU cc @erinfinnerty [...]
Pretzel M&Ms taste like rock salt surrounded by cheap chocolate, and the Coconut had so much of an SPF aroma the second bag went uneaten on the counter for weeks. This does not happen in my house. Coconut Twix sound worth a trial run.
Coconut M&Ms yay yay yay yay yay yay
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by E.F. and brian, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: WEEKLY CANDY from @erinfinnerty: Coconut M&Ms (peep Green cold LAMPIN'!) http://ow.ly/3U543 [...]
I adore coconut and can't wait to try these!
 |
| Photo | Adrian Pelliccia |
Check out Munchies on South Street. Ouzie will take care of you and your German chocolate desires. He somehow always has the hardest-to-find Kinder treats, albeit a little pricey due to the supply/demand sitch. Kinder Schokobons make my world go 'round and I hadn't seen them since I bid adieu to my German roommate junior year.
I love these guys!
Though not quite as festive as the Hippo, Kinder Beueno bars have a similar wafer/gianduia/chocolate party going on. Though caloric and expensive, nigh on irresistable.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Poster Nutbag, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: WEEKLY CANDY from @urdrian: Kinder Hippos http://ow.ly/3QuzF [...]
According to Wikipedia, the bottom bits are a combination of frosting and meringue... Another website refers to them as "meringue bits."
Julianne, the next one's on me.
I was about to e-mail in about these! Very popular in Europe and hands down my favorite candy.
 |
 |
| Photos | Erin Finnerty |
[...] WEEKLY CANDY: Meiji Chocorooms :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog … [...]
[...] [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by brian, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: WEEKLY CANDY: @erinfinnerty on the finer points of Meiji Chocorooms http://ow.ly/3M91V [...]
These are my FAVORITES!!!! Very addictive and a nice blend of chocolate and cookie crunch. YUM!!
 |
| Photo | Erin Finnerty |
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by E.F.. E.F. said: go buy one of these now and eat it RT @mealticket WEEKLY CANDY from @erinfinnerty: Ritter Sport Yogurt Bar http://ow.ly/3GNCM [...]
[...] milk/dark chocolate caps are a little on the waxy side and nowhere near as euphorically melty as last week’s Ritter Sport. While they won’t leave you seeing trails, the combination of buttery biscuit and chocolate [...]
- barstool scientist
- Booze
- Brew Revue
- Chef Salad
- Closings
- Coffee
- Contests
- Dealage
- Dirty Dishes
- Don't Front
- Eat This Immediately
- Field Trip
- Food and Art
- Food and Holidays
- Food and Movies
- Food and Music
- Food and Politics
- Food and Sports
- Food and Web
- Food Blogs
- Food Books
- Food Events
- Food News
- Food TV
- Gifted
- Happy Hour Hopper
- How-To
- In Print
- Interview
- Meal Ticket
- Menu Time
- Not So Quickfire
- Notes from the Weekend
- On Wheels
- Openings
- Patio Drinking
- Philly Beer Week 2010
- Photos
- Private Chef POV
- Product Placement
- Recipes
- Snack Time
- Stiff Drank
- SUPPER
- Tea
- Testing
- Ticket Stubs
- Top Chef
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Video
- Weekly Candy
- Weird Regional Foods
- We're Here to Help
- Where'd We Eat?
- Drew Lazor's Ill-Advised Rant Factory
- Pregame
- Ill-Advised Ranting
- The Week Without Meat
- Philly Beer Week 2009
- Real Big
- Where'd I Eat Last Night?
- Top Chef Masters
- The Good Word
- Next Iron Chef
- Arterial Terrorism
- Food and Radio
