&f=Calibri-Bold&ts=14&tc=d4d4cc&it=gif&c=round&bgt=gradient&bgc=ad6807&ebgc=d98807&be=on&w=125&h=30){kind=small}
Kcal 185 Fat 10.2g Fat(sats) 6.0g Carbs 20.8g (per 35.0g portion)
Last week, just like every other chocolate blogger in the UK I was contacted by a PR agency on behalf of Mars and was offered the opportunity to sample these new Galaxy Counters. Of course I said 'send them right over', but I did insist that they give my readers the opportunity to also try them aswell (See Below!!).
So what are Galaxy Counters??? Why of course you will have read the article I posted a few weeks ago in my '7Days of Chocolate Reviews' post so you already know that ;) - (See HERE). For those who have forgotten I can reveal they come described as 'smooth and creamy milk chocolate pieces', and are about the size of a 2p coin. To put it another way they are simply Galaxy Minstrels, but just without the hard sugar coating (i.e. the things that have been in Revels since like forever!).
These new Galaxy Counters came in a 140.0g pouch that I managed to demolish in one sitting with the help of a few hungry work colleagues. As you will see above the packaging is 100% aligned to the rest of the Galaxy range and incorporates the usual cream and brown colours. The only exception is the pink coloured 'Counters' branding, which I think we can safely attribute to Mars going after a female demographic. Please before all you WI members starting reaching for the e-mail button, Mars have said that this is the marketing policy for their latest 'innovations' - I still think it looks pretty modern and cool anyway :P
So what did these Galaxy Counters bring to the party that Galaxy chocolate hasn't already!? Well to be honest absolutely nothing. These Counters retained exactly the same sweet, creamy flavours that you get from a normal bar of Galaxy, but obviously just in a different shaped format. That may sound like a bit of a negative thing but believe me this isn't so. These Counters tasted utterly delicious and delivered a sweet and creamy cocoa taste that became ever increasingly moreish with each handful. Compared with the Galaxy Minstrels that suffer at the hands of those dastardly sugar coated shells (See HERE), these Counters were much to my preference. One thing I do feel the need to mention though is that compared to a standard bar I didn't feel these Counters were as satisfying, as the smaller disc pieces didn't have the longevity or the presence in the mouth compared to the blocks.
Overall I would still on the balance of things give these Galaxy Counters a thumbs up, but it would certainly be a hugely tentative one. Given that Counters are just another format of original Galaxy chocolate I was never going to have a problem with the actual product itself. To my tastebuds, Galaxy is becoming increasingly sugary and sweet (could just be me or it could be a recipe change!?), however I still perceive the taste to be pleasantly creamy and the way it melts with it's distinct smooth thickness, still makes it superior to many of the other mass produced options on the UK market. What I do have a problem with however is the lack of true innovation we are getting from the way of Mars Inc ... do these Counters taste nice? ... well yes!! .... was there ever a consumer need for them? ..... errr no!! What I find painstakingly bad about these is that there is probably a whole division of people at Mars who work on R&D and innovation. Unless the long term plan is to rid of the Minstrels and replace them with Counters then these are just another 'innovation' that we all don't need. First Treets and now Counters!? Come on Mars step up your innovation game.
8.1 out of 10
Last week, just like every other chocolate blogger in the UK I was contacted by a PR agency on behalf of Mars and was offered the opportunity to sample these new Galaxy Counters. Of course I said 'send them right over', but I did insist that they give my readers the opportunity to also try them aswell (See Below!!).
So what are Galaxy Counters??? Why of course you will have read the article I posted a few weeks ago in my '7Days of Chocolate Reviews' post so you already know that ;) - (See HERE). For those who have forgotten I can reveal they come described as 'smooth and creamy milk chocolate pieces', and are about the size of a 2p coin. To put it another way they are simply Galaxy Minstrels, but just without the hard sugar coating (i.e. the things that have been in Revels since like forever!).
These new Galaxy Counters came in a 140.0g pouch that I managed to demolish in one sitting with the help of a few hungry work colleagues. As you will see above the packaging is 100% aligned to the rest of the Galaxy range and incorporates the usual cream and brown colours. The only exception is the pink coloured 'Counters' branding, which I think we can safely attribute to Mars going after a female demographic. Please before all you WI members starting reaching for the e-mail button, Mars have said that this is the marketing policy for their latest 'innovations' - I still think it looks pretty modern and cool anyway :P
So what did these Galaxy Counters bring to the party that Galaxy chocolate hasn't already!? Well to be honest absolutely nothing. These Counters retained exactly the same sweet, creamy flavours that you get from a normal bar of Galaxy, but obviously just in a different shaped format. That may sound like a bit of a negative thing but believe me this isn't so. These Counters tasted utterly delicious and delivered a sweet and creamy cocoa taste that became ever increasingly moreish with each handful. Compared with the Galaxy Minstrels that suffer at the hands of those dastardly sugar coated shells (See HERE), these Counters were much to my preference. One thing I do feel the need to mention though is that compared to a standard bar I didn't feel these Counters were as satisfying, as the smaller disc pieces didn't have the longevity or the presence in the mouth compared to the blocks.
Overall I would still on the balance of things give these Galaxy Counters a thumbs up, but it would certainly be a hugely tentative one. Given that Counters are just another format of original Galaxy chocolate I was never going to have a problem with the actual product itself. To my tastebuds, Galaxy is becoming increasingly sugary and sweet (could just be me or it could be a recipe change!?), however I still perceive the taste to be pleasantly creamy and the way it melts with it's distinct smooth thickness, still makes it superior to many of the other mass produced options on the UK market. What I do have a problem with however is the lack of true innovation we are getting from the way of Mars Inc ... do these Counters taste nice? ... well yes!! .... was there ever a consumer need for them? ..... errr no!! What I find painstakingly bad about these is that there is probably a whole division of people at Mars who work on R&D and innovation. Unless the long term plan is to rid of the Minstrels and replace them with Counters then these are just another 'innovation' that we all don't need. First Treets and now Counters!? Come on Mars step up your innovation game.
8.1 out of 10
*** COMPETITION ***
Having just read the above review/rant why not reward yourself by entering this Galaxy Counters competition. The winner will be chosen randomly by all entries sent to Jim{@}Chocolatemission.net and will be notified by the 14th of April.
The question is ...
'What size pouch/packet do Galaxy Counters come in?'
a) 14.0g
b) 140.0g
c) 240.0g
(usual competition rules apply 1. Only UK, 2. One entry per person 3. Anything I say goes etc etc)
Posts
33 comments:
Is this the highest scoring product to ever get such a negative review? Lol I totally agree with you by the way.
Jim you do realise you give the answer to your competition in your write up yeah?
I am guessing you did that on purpose lol. I have entered anyway. Fingers crossed for me.
Yay competition.
I think Mars are crap at making new stuff aswell. The last thing they brought out that was actually totally new was the Mars Delight.
That seems like agessssssss ago now. It must be like a full 5 years at the least.
Rxxx
woop woop love prizes me =)
I didn't win your last Hotel Chocolat draw so I hope for better luck.
Lmao the answer is in the reivew!!!!!!!!! If someone gets this wrong needs they need to check they have their head screwed on.
Thanks for all the reviews over Easter Jim. You made my boring family holiday much more entertaining.
Dx
These sound really, really boring don't they. Epic FAIL Mars.
I think Mars will use the argument 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.
I think news things like this are fine (if a little unexciting) as long as bring out other proper new things aswell. We haven't seen anything of the sort from Mars for years though.
I think this might be a bit of an over reaction. I think the idea at Mars is that they re-release one of their old favourites. It started with Mars Treets, now it is the Galaxy Counters etc. I wonder what will be next?
I havent seen these yet but want to try them. I wish they'd put them in normal size packets though, theyre onto the pouches again, and theyre just too big for your average 'on the go' consumer. I still don't like the pink either! I'm glad you have noticed the gradual change in the Galaxy taste Jim, it's still nice but not the way it used to be.
it's funny though how theyve changed the original buyer (children) to adult females, wheras say with cadbury, they still make chocolate buttons aimed at kids but do big versions more for adults, any adults :)
It would be nice to se a 'new' product, I'm quite bored with Mars at present, Mars Planets are awful, Mars Delights ancient...i like the the way theyre trying to pass off Counters as 'New'!
Nice review Jim, these remind me so much of Minstrals :S, the look is identical just not as glossy.
Mars suck at bringing out anything innovative lol.
Entered the Comp :D, thanks for running it. I think the questions was a GMTV'ish haha, so easy :P:P sure you aint charging 10p per entry :D:D haha.
have a great day!
I love Galaxy. I can't waite to try these babies.
Aren't these something special .... or NOT.
How they can stick a big 'new' logo on the front of the packaging is beyond me. These aren't new at all. They are just Minstrels without the sugar coated shells.
Whatever next a Mars bar without chocolate?
Stop all your grumbling and nonsense about the idea not being new. Just enjoy them for what they are.
I bet if all of you won the prize you wouldn't be complaining about recieving a free bag of them would you.
I like the look of these - mainly because I'm not a fan of Minstrels.
I am not sure this would win any eureka prizes but I still love galaxy chocolate so I am sure I will try them at some point.
I too can't stand Minstrels so I think I would actually enjoy these more.
The only time I can see my trying them is in the cinema though. That probably means I will be paying upwards of £3 :(
I wonder if the likes of Mars or Nestle read blogs like this? I like to think so.
I agree Jim that things like this are a bit pointless and not very innovative. It could be argued that the Caramel Nibbles were unneccesary too but I guess they do have something different that the bars don't.
It seems as though companies in the UK are scared to take any risks and so keep going for variations of the same thing...which I personally find boring. I know there's this "retro" trend going on recently which is understandable, but there was at least a demand for Wispa/Wispa Gold.
Oh well I have grumbled about things like this for ages now... I'm turning into a grumpy old man way ahead of time lol.
@Rachel - I remember when Mars Delight came out! I was entering the codes they gave with them online and kept getting free Mars Delights through the letterbox, each one in its own little tube. lol the postman wasn't too happy about it.
I see what you are talking about this not being anything new but I still really want to try them.
I haven't had Minstrels for ages but I used to have them all the time at the cinema. I don't go there much anymore which is why I probably haven't had Minstrels for donkies years.
Choccy, Choccy...omg how can people complain about choccy..Grrrrrrr
How can you all be complaining about Galaxy chocolate. For god sake stop thinking about it all too much and just enjoy things for what they are.
I have been reading this site for a few monts now and all anyone ever says is 'wouldn't it be great if they did this' .......... or 'they should do that'.
FOR GAWDS SAKE PEOPLE
Why bring back Counters? They are really boring.
We deserve something more exciting than this don't you think. Fair enough Galaxy chocolate is great, but they could have tried something a little new.
Thanks for the competition I love galaxy choc. Fingers crossed I win :-)
I think the anonymous person is right. Everyone should stop complaining and just appreciate what we get as opposed to what we don't.
Why do Mars insist on putting everything in big bloody pouches. Have they not thought that it isn't always convenient to carry huge packets around all the time?
I can't envisage myself every buying these for the sole reason that they aren't handy enough to carry around or take out the house.
They must hire idiots.
Aw they look so cute and shiney! All eager and beady-eyed. If you concentrate, some look like they have monopoly-man moustaches. Good for them.
It's fairly reasonable that they are labelling these as "new" since technically they are, and blimey they've got to promote one way or another.
I know it's just re-shaped galaxy lalala but you could say that for nearly anything. Wispa, buttons etc. My eyes are blue, but am I ripping off the sky? Maybe I am..
I am pleased, personally. Unshelled minstrels they maybe, but sugar shells have always troubled me. Thus, I am fully into it.
PART 1
David
It isn't a negative review. It is just frustrating at the lack of innovation.
Emma
Haha I know! I just wanted to give the people who took the time to read my review the chance to win.
Rachel
The Mars Delight does seem ages ago doesn't it. You are right in saying that it was the last true innovation we have been given by Mars in the UK.
Sakura
Good luck! Winner announced next Weds.
Daisy
I am glad that my reviews have brought some entertainment for you. Sorry the questions are too obvious I will make them harder in the future :D
Steven
They taste good though.
Nick
That is a good point. I agree that things like this are ok when there is also true innovation, but this just isn't the case with Mars in the UK.
Ben
I have no idea what will be next. To be honest I haven't ever heard of either Treets or Counters before they got re-released! Does anyone else have an opinion?
Alan
The taste is slightly different, but it still has a Galaxy uniqueness.... if they change it anymore this might not be the case so they should be careful going forward.
Like I said in the review it really is about time that they came out with some true innovation to supplement these rehashes of old products.
Matthew
Thanks chap. I am glad you enjoyed the review. Sorry about the quality of the question, I had to get something up really sharpish.
I will never charge for a competition on this site! That wouldn't be fair on you lot.
Anon
Let me know if you do! I would love to hear your views.
Justin
I wouldn't propose a Mars bar without chocolate :D you might give the innovation people at Mars some ideas haha.
Diane
You make a good point but unfortunately I am an A-class moaner :D life wouldn't be boring without a good moan every now and then.
Lauren
I would never in a million years pay anything over £1.50 for a pouch of these. The prices they charge in the cinemas are criminal aren't they. I would suggest you buy before you go in.
Phil
I hope they do Phil. I work for a big FMCG company (that operates in a different market!) in a consumer insight role and I am constantly keeping an eye on different social media sources to see what consumers are saying about our products. I am pretty sure Mars/Nestle will be doing the same thing.
You aren't being a grumpy old man don't worry :D We all like a good moan every now and then.
Your story about the Mars Delight made me laugh :D Any idea what year that was? That was the last true innovation from Mars I reckon.
Tom
Minstrels aren't my favourite at all. If I had choose between these Counters and Minstrels it would be the Counters all day long.
Rach
We can complain because there is so much variety! Where there is choice you can be picky :D
Anon
You have perhaps been a little aggressive but I see what you are getting at.
We should enjoy things for what they are but if there wasn't people suggesting how things could be improved they never would.
Sarah
That is a view shared by a lot of people I think.
PART 2
Marine
Good luck with your entry. Winner drawn next Wednesday.
Resph
Indeed they do have a point but they could have put it in a nicer manner don't you think.
Selina
It is not only Mars though is it. Cadbury are also guilty making us buy bigger packs than we want.
It is a classic FMCG practice though. People are so desperate to try 'new' things they will often pay more to do so.
Lottie
I think the monopoly moustaches are the reflection on my conservatory roof dear :D I see what you mean though.
They are being pretty cheeky calling them new aren't they. I agree about the Minstrels thing. Galaxy chocolate is woeful when coated in those sugary casings. I had some again for the first time in years when I was updating the new photographs .... they were just as bad as I remember.
Right everyone - thanks for the comments. I am off to console myself over United's exit from the Champs League this evening :(
Please feel free to facebook/tweet the competition.
JIM
I feel as if I already know what these taste like without having tried them. It's just Galaxy chocolate. If I wanted a taste of that I would just go and buy a bar of Galaxy chocolate.
And at least I could get that in a
reasonable sized portion.
It was in 2004 Jim...I'm surprised I didn't put on weight to be honest because the Mars Delight is quite fattening. Funny thing is, I never buy them now so their marketing can't have worked on me.
I am so excited about these, I had them when I was little, they were in a white pack with a giraffe on I think. My cousin and I often mention how much we loved them and then wonder if we'd dreamed them up when no one else seems to remember! Might have to nip the shops...
And I should have said they'll be good for the little ones , I suppose Galaxy's version of Buttons, I am sure my daughter will be a fan like her mummy!
Anyone who doesn't remember these in their original format with the animals (often giraffes) on the front must be too young! As a nearly forty year old I well remember these being a favourite on my sweet shop trips - and my younger sister was so excited they had returned she sent me a picture of a bag of them!! Ah the seventies, such a fab time for sweets :) From Paula
I remember the original Counters in the 70's and these don't taste anything like them because Galaxy chocolate tastes like Mars Bars these days.
Galaxy chocolate used to taste lovely and smooth in those days, not the bitter taste today.
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