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Kcal 130 Fat 5.6g Fat(sats) 2.9g Carbs 19.7gIt has been over two years since I last reviewed a Paynes Poppets product and if you look back at the some of the scores I gave some of the flavours then it is debatable whether that is such a bad thing. Truth be told Paynes Poppets have never been a favourite of mine though I must say I was rather intrigued by this new Choc Chip Cookie flavour when I read Cin's review over at Foodstufffinds last year. Having finally tracked down a pack for myself I was actually relatively looking forward to the prospect of 'chocolate chip cookie pieces covered in milk chocolate'
These Choc Chip Cookie flavour Poppets came in a 28.0g pack that held several round ball pieces that were about twice the size as your average chocolate covered raisin/peanut. One thing I definitely have to comment on positively about these is the fact that Paynes have really upped their game in regards to their packaging and I liked the new Poppets logo and realistic visualisation on the front of the pack. Conversely one thing that hasn't changed about Poppets in the last two years is the fact that they still don't offer much in the way of an aroma though I did find the inner look of the cookie centres quite appetising when I went to the effort of cross-sectioning one.
Frankly given my previous experiences with Poppets I really wasn't expecting much and having now tasted these that was probably a good thing. Much like I have experienced in the past the outer milk chocolate was pretty non-descript in terms of flavours and only offered quite a mild sugary taste that lingered as the waxy melt developed. The chocolate wasn't horrible in any manner but neither was it particularly taste or left me wanting more. Of course what was at real interest here were the inner cookie centres and just like the milk chocolate they were similarly bland and flavourless. In their defence they did have the crunchy texture of cookies but unfortunately they didn't bring anything of note to the taste apart from the odd hint of wheat and brown sugar. In regards to nutrition and fulfilment it is worth noting that these were pretty light on the calorie side of things though it wasn't as if they provided much satisfaction for their 130 calories.
Overall this was pretty much a story of same-old, same-old with Paynes Poppets here. Much like I found with several of the other variants from the range these Choc Chip Cookie Poppets lacked flavour and were frankly pretty bland and limp when it came to the taste. Reflecting on this now I guess this it is all the more disappointing considering that the centres both looked and felt like cookies, but just didn't bring any sort of cookie flavours to the party. I was expecting these to taste like chocolate covered Maryland Cookies but the cookie element was just AWOL which sorta begs the question 'were these really worth eating in the first place?'. I will leave you to ponder that question but if I were to suggest a suitable replacement I would suggest some of the flavours from the Taste of Nature Cookie Dough Bites range as a great alternative. Having said that given that these are as cheap as chips it won't be like you will lose too much sleep if you buy a pack and decide you don't like them.
5.6 out of 10
Posts
24 comments:
It is always the case with Poppets that they sound ten times better than they are. These are the perfect example of that.
"same-old, same-old with Paynes Poppets here. Much like I found with several of the other variants from the range these Choc Chip Cookie Poppets lacked flavour and were frankly pretty bland and limp when it came to the taste"
I agree Poppets are pretty crappy. I used to have a soft spot for the toffee ones but I think they changed them a few years ago. They are best off avoided now.
Dx
Lol the only good thing you could say about these was they were low in calories. That is a pretty sad fact isn't it. They sound like suck really bad lol.
The picture reminded me of the little bits you get in Ben and Jerrys ice cream.
Seemingly they weren't quite as epic as the real deal though. It is a shame as the idea is pretty good.
I have just looked over some of your old Poppets reviews and it looks like you have it in for them. Is there any reason in particular why? I think they are ok - especially since they are incredibly cheap.
I was thinking these were going to be more like cookie dough, not actual cookies. I know which sounds the more tempting prospect out of the two lol. Disappointing to see they are so pants.
Yuck Poppets are rubbish, I have never seen their appeal apart from that they are mega cheap. My local newsagents used to do a deal of four packs for £1.
Everyone is being very dismissive of Poppets this morning who put bees in your bonnets.
I really like the peppermint flavoured ones. They are pure trashy chocolate but I can't help but love them.
I always wondered what this variant tasted like lol Poppets have never been something I buy, its only if someone buys a pack for me, I'd go for the one of the others except for toffee. My sister quite likes the mint ones, she was most put out when she was bought a 4 pack of Toffee ones haha!
You're right about the packaging, they seem to update it on a fairly regular basis. I quite liked the last one with it's retro look but this one looks cool too!
I think the packaging looks really tacky and immature, but it is at least a step up from the random statements they were putting on the boxes beforehand.
The only poppets flavour worth mentioning are the peppermint flavoured ones. The quality of the chocolate (if you can call it that)is still wrank though.
These have been about for ages. Why are they still carrying a badge saying new? This really annoys me about some products. they end up being out for years, yet still say 'NEW' thinking people are that stupid.
Looking at the Lion bar made me laugh the other day 'NEW RECIPE' ........ errr no. It tastes no different.
No sale on the poppets. They are horrible things.
I don't think Poppets are all that bad. They are pretty practical to carry around in the handbag if you are after a small little treat every now and then. I don't quite get all the hate they are getting. They are cheapo sweets and they know it.
I loved the raisin Poppets as a kid but most chocolate raisins are good anyway. I never buy Poppets now, they just taste pointless. I had the mint ones once and they were far too sugary. I guess they're aimed at the pocket-money market.
I am not surprised to see these have scored badly. I was never a fan of them even in my younger years.
Part of me loves paynes poppets as for their retro sexyness, yet the other side of my brain is telling me they are just cheap crapness. Who wins? Cheap crapness it is unfortunately.
I haven't seen nor heard of Poppets for agessssssss.
I used to have the red caramel flavoured ones every now and then but that was a very long time ago. I always liked the way you could suck on one forever and it wouldn't melt. They were so hard they used to give my teeth a bit of a hammering.
Poppets want me dead. They're after me I tell you! When I was small and innocent my gran used to buy the toffee ones for me all the friggy time and EVERY time without fail there would be some sort of choking escapade. If not that then my brother would throw them at my eyeballs.
It's a nice idea though. But since they're crap (and evil)I think I'd rather have an actual cookie.
Awwwwww everyone is being so mean about Poppets. They are legendary, especially the raisins ones.
I tried these a few months ago, only ate a few before I gave the rest away.. they were horrid! I do like the toffee ones though :]
Louise
PART 1
Justin
Indeed. I thought these had a lot of promise before I ate them. That was misguided though :D
Daisy
I used to have the Toffee flavoured ones every now and then aswell. That was when I was far younger though.
David
Haha I guess that is pretty sad come to think of it. I guess people on diets might get some enjoyment out of these ... very limited enjoyment in my opinion though.
Nick
These aren't worthy of being mentioned in the same senetence as that supreme ice cream brand. The cookie dough bits in Ben & Jerrys are absolutely amazing. I wish they sold them in stand alone snack packets.
Chris
I don't 'have it in' for any product range or manufacture. I simply tell it like I see it. My estimation these aren't very goof.
Anon
I had cookie dough spring to mind aswell, I don't quite know why. I think that is probably what I wanted to see, rather than what was actually on offer.
Tricky
Not a fan either then? Four packets for a £1 is ridiculous. How can they make a profit on that? If they can the ingridients are probably very, very scary :D
Lauren
Well Lauren, I think some people obviously like them or they wouldn't exist. It just seems the average person who looks at this site doesn't like them much :D
Alan / Paul
I think Paul is right about the off phrases they used to put on the old packs - they were just bizarre.
I also agree with you though Alan about the new style. I think they look far better myself. They will certainly attract the kiddies with the bright colours and friendly fonts wont they! At least the marketing isn't as bad as the actual product :D
Richard
From what I remember the actual fondant centres of the mint ones aren't at all bad. It is just the outer chocolate which is a real let down. I remember it being remarkably waxy if I recall correctly.
Marshall
There could be a number of reasons I guess.
1. They haven't sold the amount they expected in the first few months, thus they are left with stock that say NEW on the packaging.
2. They are trying to make the packs have more standout by having that magic word.
3. They are just too plain lazy to change it :D
Anon
I think the going majority agree with you.
Diane
Sorry but not having a handbag I can't say I can relate with you there :D I do get your point about them being a cheap option though ... they certainly aren't pricey I will give you that.
Phil
Yeh up until the last 5-10 years they were probably one of the only chocolate covered raisins on the market ... that is all changed now I guess.
I think you have the target market spot on! They are definitely aimed at a younger consumer with their petty cash ... like upmarket penny sweets!
Karen / Mark
Judging by the sounds of it they were quite liked by a lot of people when they were younger but most seem to have lost that love over time.
Mark that is some good analogy there - love it!
Andrew
Haha I bet the toffee flavour are a favourtie among dentists! They are the sort of product that keeps them in business. They are so hard on teeth aren't they.
PART 2
Lottie
I think this was one of your funniest posts ever? Poppets want you dead :D Love it!!
As I said above the toffee ones are solid hard aren't they. I wonder how many young kids dies of Poppet related injuries each year :D We probably shouldn't joke .. it is bound to have happened! If anyone finds an online newspaper story about this I will send you some choc!!
Kim
Haha it sounds like you have some pent up nostalgia love for Poppets :D Don't worry I think we have all been nasty about them enough now.
Anon
It would be interesting to know which ones are the best sellers. Judging by what people have said today it has to be the toffee ones. These Cookie seem to have disappointed all round.
Thanks for all the comments today everyone. It isn't often I review something from the UK at the moment is it!? Hope you are all having nice weeks.
JIM
i really like poppets but they are something i dont have very often. if i have a pack it is more often than not the toffee or orange flavour.
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