Aisle Walking - August

Well here we are at the end of August. The blog has a few changes in store. Not a lot, just a few, and its all good stuff. But that's not really what this post is about. Today's post is about the things I saw that tickled my fancy this month in the aisle. And you know it wouldn't be the start of September if there wasn't a bunch of Halloween stuff on the shelf to kick us off. Now I know I just posted about this yesterday, but since then I've stopped by the old Dollar store and found a few more items of interest.

I have to say I was surprised the see these Monsters University "candy sticks" there.

I mean, we all know these are really candy  cigarettes right?!

And big shout out to these creepy fellows.These guys are pretty awesome looking! Here's a few other random shots.

The other main thing that keeps catching my eye in the grocery store this month has been the Lays chip promotion. Similar to the recent Kit Kat Chunky promotion, Lays is running a contest for their next great chip flavor and the choices are pretty impressive. Made even more so by the fact that they're all suggestions from customers. Now how cool will that be for the winner to get their own dream chip flavor made for real on an ongoing basis. VERY COOL is the answer.

Here are the rules, and voting info.

And here are the flavors!

Its almost a shame that only one can win these are all such great ideas. While I really want to try the Perogy Platter, my guess is that the Grilled Cheese and Ketchup will win the contest. I somehow forgot to take a shot of the big signage but its all being presided over by Canadian comedy icon Martin Short... cause I guess he knows how to pick a chip... right? I mean he's certainly as qualified at this as say, Jason Priestly is at picking donuts...

Finally I've got two random sightings and notes from the aisle :)

Here we have a bag of M&M dark milk chocolate in the traditional purple bag. As I recently was working away on the 2nd to last piece of my VERY long M&M advertising retrospective series of posts I had I thought come to the conclusion that these were currently not around. Surprise surprise though. They are in fact around. I wonder if this is only in Canada... anyhow, its interesting to see them nonetheless.

There's nothing particularly new about Crunch 'n Munch, I just saw it and realized I haven't had it in ages. Man... remember how good Crunch 'n Munch is.... seriously.

On another good note I just today found a good local convenience store that has a stock of off the beaten track candy and chocolates. Not weird foreign imports from the UK or India or something but the oddball Nestle, Hershey, and Cadbury products that may be offered here in Canada but only in limited supply and not at many places. They have all of the Kit Kat Chunky bars up for Voting, although I think the actual voting is over after the plastic incident and the recall. They also had both White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Kit Kats, and Crunchy Peanut Butter Reese Cups. Pretty fun stuff!

That's all from me for now, I'll see you next time.

Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins - video review

Hey all, Happy Halloween! I'm excited today, as I am every Halloween, for fun times and of course candy. I've got one more Halloween review for you today. Here's a look at Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins.
 
Yes I know I should probably be calling them Marshmallow Pumpkin Peeps... its a long and convoluted story on why I'm calling it the other way around, just deal ok :)


Great stuff, honestly this score surprised even me!

For more on this, please check out the full written review, or all of our reviews on the reviews page. And look for a standard review coming this Friday, as we move into a look at some of the Canadian classics, before jumping headlong into Christmas candy! See you soon!

Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins review

Its finally here! Happy Halloween everyone. Today I've got one more special Halloween review for you, its time to look at the oh so spooky Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins.

There's something almost otherworldly ab out Peeps isn't there? I mean people seem to certainly regard them in high esteem. I for one have never fallen prey to the cult of Peeps. No its not because I hate them, I just don't get why people get so worked up over a few sugared marshmallow ducks. I'm looking forward to trying out these Pumpkins though. I can't remember the last time I actually had a Peep, so this should be exciting.

First off, Peeps all have some pretty nice design and packaging work. They're wholly original in presentation. From the font of the logo to packaging in the open, letting the candy talk for itself under clear cellophane. Its minimal and ingenious. I mean, look at how much you're getting for your money here! that's a lot of jack-o-lanterns smiling back at me.

The back of the box is pretty simple too. I like the note that they are "always in season" since its certainly true. Nowadays you can get peeps for almost any reason. They may not be on the shelf all year exactly, but anytime there is a candy holiday on the rise you'll find them in the Candy Aisle. Is that comforting to you? I'm not sure.... I guess if you're one of those die hard fans then it probably is.

Getting the actual Peep out requires a little ripping and minor disfigurements, but its all worth it. This is a squishy marshmallow candy coated generously in sugar. The sugar is very... granular, and a residue will come off on your fingers, but thats also just the nature of Peeps.
 
I'm on the record now with my complaints against candy marshmallow, and I usually stand by that claim. However Peeps may be the exception to the rule that marshmallow needs to be paired with a stronger flavor like caramel. Here its paired with simple sugar, and for the most part works very well.

There's something very viscerally satisfying about manhandling a Peep. They crush, crack, and tear so easily. Despite how adorable the face here, how kind of un-pumpkiny it actually looks (is this the Easter rabbit face design re-purposed into a pumpkin?) There's something very pleasing about pulling the cute smiling face apart. This is a happy pumpkin, and destroying it makes me happy too. Is tat weird?

And when you get down to actually eating the Peeps, you'll find its really pretty decent. The marshmallow isn't terrible quality, and the texture of the sugar adds a lot to the smooth, slightly melty mallow. This is a candy that lives, and is loved for a lot of reasons other than how it tastes, but for all that grandstanding, its really not all that bad. In fact its far better than it needs to be considering all the other stuff its got going for it.

I do like Peeps, and I do recommend the Marshmallow Pumpkins. I'm not quite ready to sign up for cult membership, but this is definitely worth your time.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins - 4 / 5

Peeps are a Just Born product, these are the same guys behind Mike & Ikes and have possibly the best company tagline ever, "A great candy isn't made... it's Just Born.". You can find them online at http://www.justborn.com/