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You may have seen on the site already this week that I have recently tried out the reformulated Ferrero Kinder Bueno White and was none to please with what I found (See HERE). Would these products fair better on the ChocolateMission rating system? Take a look ....
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McVitie's Penguin Caramel Wafer
Kcal 106 Fat 5.4g Fat(sats) 3.8g Carbs 10.2g (per bar)
'Milk chocolate covered wafer bars filled with caramel and chocolate cream'
The latest product line extension of the McVitie's Penguin brand was announced HERE back in the middle of January. I found this pack of nine bars on an introductory £0.85 deal in my local Sainsbury's store - it was lucky I was keeping my eye out for them as the exterior packaging looked none to disimmilar from the standard Penguin Wafer bars.
You may have noticed from my photo and the descriptor given above that these were a none to dissimlar proposition to the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Biscuit (See HERE), a product I am very familiar with :D . Comparing one with the other, these Penguin Caramel Wafers simply didn't match up. Although the chocolate was of a similar quality and thickness, the wafer and caramel layers weren't as flavoursome and lacked the wheat biscuit and buttery caramel charms of the aforementioned. At two thrids the size I also didn't find them as satisfying. These wont offend anyone, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them absent from our shelves within a year what with the stiff and superior competition.
6.6 out of 10
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Cadbury Bournville Biscuits
Kcal 85 Fat 5.0g Fat(sats) 3.1g Carbs 9.9g (per biscuits)
'Cadbury classic dark chocolate with a chocolate covered cream centre'
Anyone who has read my Cadbury Bournville review (See HERE) will be aware that it isn't one of my favourite dark chocolates ... bit of an understatement there :D . Being the dedicated guy I am though, I simply can't ignore reader requests - if you guys are sick of my moaning then you can all blame ChocolateMission reader Thea haha :D I found these new Cadbury Bournville Biscuits on sale in Waitrose where surprise, surprise they were on a £1.00 introductory offer.
To cut to the chase, as I expected, I didn't get much enjoyment from these biscuits. Perhaps this is me just be stubborn, but I simply just didn't enjoy the taste of the chocolate, which I felt was as overly sugary, one dimensional and lazy in it's melt. The biscuit element did at least bring some sort of appeal to the overall taste, however I didn't detect any differentiation from the outer chocolate to the inner chocolate cream apart from the softer texture. I've always maintained that Cadbury Bournville chocolate might be a nice option for those who don't like their dark chocolate all that strong and wish to ease themselves into the dark side. Speaking from a personal point of view however, I think we all know it just isn't to my taste. Not even the added biscuit has made it score that much better.
6.0 out of 10
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Kit Kat Pop ChocKcal 108 Fat 6.3g Fat(sats) 3.8g Carbs 11.4g (per 9 pieces)
'Crispy wafer pieces covered in milk chocolate'
I wont spend to long on this one, as these Kit Kat Pop Chocs are rather self-explanatory. These Pop Chocs have been described by Nestle as a product "to move the Megabrand to a whole new arena" in their PR statement (See HERE). I'm not sure about that, though I'm sure a number of you will be well aware they have been doing the rounds in most European countries for a fair while now - they have often been spotted in shops such as Poundland/Home Bargains etc. I found these on sale in Tesco last week at the RRP price of £1.49 for a 140.0g.
Essentially these Pop Chocs are Malteser sized bites of regular milk chocolate Kit Kat - what could be bad about that? ... Well ... nothing ... they are delicious as you would expect :D Quite simply, if you love your Kit Kats then there would be no logical reason why you wouldn't love these. It would of perhaps have been nice of Nestle to have been a little more adventurous, and given us some of the crazier flavours like they get in Japan (Caramel Salted HERE, Chilli Powder HERE), but this is the UK we are talking about it :D Recommended for you Kit Kat lovers.
8.1 out of 10
Posts
64 comments:
Lol you are so nasty about Bournville you really have it in for them about that don't you :P
I haven't tried the bisscuits yet but I have never had a problem with the chocolate myself. I don't think it is the nicest dark chocolate around but there is far far worse in my view.
That update you have done on the kinder white is a shocker. Do they honestly think they are going to get away with this?
Could they make anymore caramel products if they tried?
Off the top of my head I can reel off Caramel biscuits, bunnies, kit kats, thorntons bags, snickers. Its like a never ending barrage of so called 'new' chocolate bars that are really all the same. Its all so unexciting, can they not come up with something new for once.
I had missed all that stuff about the Kinder white bueno bar. That is shocking of them, the cheek of it all.
You should do what someone has said on the review and send your revelations off to the newspapers. Trying to claim that consumers requests are being fulfilled by making a chocolate smaller and with crapper ingredients is just scandalous. Sort them out love.
Rxxx
Bits and bobs never fails Jim nice one.
I like the look of the biscuits and the Kit Kat popcorn but I'm afraid the penguin wafers aren't going to get a look in with me. The penguin things just look like they are inferior tunnocks biscuits. Speaking of which I have one of their dark chocolates ones ready for my lunch today :) yum yum.
Theres no point cadburys making any more biscuit flavours. They already have the best ones out.
CARAMEL FTW!!!!!!!!!!!
Whats with the new icon on the right hand side Jim? American Soda? Who are they?
I agree with your review about the Kit kat pop chocolates mate, it would have been excellent if they had made them flavoured as opposed to just plain ol milk chocolates ones. Who knows, if they take off they might come back with more flavours in the not to distant future. Fingers crossed.
Lol 85p and not £1? Cripes that is so cheap for 9 bars. I don't care how 'average' they are at that price. I wouldn't be expecting anything special.
Penguin wafers are proper bad. I bought them one time before but never again. I don't think a smidge of caramel is going to be making any discernable difference either.
I'm more open to trying the bournville cookies but I can't imagine a situation where I would choose them over the Crunchie ones. Have they ditched the Turkish ones? I think they must of because I haven't seem them for ages. I know most people musnt have liked them but I thought they were just as nice as the Crunchies.
Where can I buy the Bournville biscuits? I've not seen them in any of the shops yet and it would be nice to see what they are like.
Omg I can't honestly believe what I am reading about the kinder bueno. Why would they do that?
They should just be upfront and honest like Cadbury have been about reducing the size of their chocolates. I saw that story you posted where cadburys came out and said that they were downscaling the dairy milk. I'm not saying I was happy about it but at least they were honest. Ferrero have made it worse by trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Dx
Our mum tried fobbing us off with those penguin wafers before now and my brothers kicked up a right fuss. One thing you haven't mentioned Jimbo is that the new caramel ones are like a direct rip off of the Taxi chocolate biscuits they already make. I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear they are exactly the same but with different wrappers.
Hmph. None of these things today are grabbing me and telling me that they need buying :(
Oh well, there are always going to be reviews like this sometimes.
Are you like the carefullest shopper ever or what? Do you wait until these things are on an offer before you buy them or is just conincedence that you always seems to get the best deals. My kids are so fussy they don't accept anything except what they ask for.
The total of my shopping bill is usually down to luck as to what they are offering and what they arent.
Are you going to post about the new Dairy Milk biscuits mate?
http://www.fdin.org.uk/2011/03/cadbury-and-burtons-team-up-to-release-new-biscuits/ Its a review I want to see
Jim's right Bournville is like the worse dark chocolate ever. Any person who claims differently needs to have serious words themselves.
Hey J
How amazing were Barcelona last night huh? Pass pass pass pass lol Arsenal just didn't have the ball did they. Fair play to Arsenal I guess, I don't think anyone in the premiership has a hope of beating them.
Out of these three I would buy the kit kat pops but I wouldn't be keen on the other two. I back up the point someone has said above about them needing to be in smaller packs though. Big pouches are only decent when you have people over.
Cheers
N
Did you have pancakes yesterday Jim? I bet you had nutella with yours lol.
What is your deal with Bournville Jimbob? Do you honestly hate it that much?
The Kit Kat pop chocs look semi decent. Nestle are on a roll with all these new chocolates this year. Hats off to them its a least making things more exciting than normal.
Do you think they are going to make smaller packs of the kk chocs? I would probably buy them often if they were in a sensible size but lugging a big pouch around is just inconvenient. Smaller packs of those cadbury biscuits would be brill also but I can never see that happening.
You may have seen on the site already this week that I have recently tried out the reformulated Ferrero Kinder Bueno White and was none to please with what I found (See HERE).
Oh I missed that to begin with. I am disbelieving that they have been given the all clear to claim that. Shouldn't there be some governing authority that stops things like that? They must be preoccupied with fixing the economy lol :P
Just when I could claim I had tried all these cadbury biscuits they go an add another flavour DOHHHH! Last weekend I finally managed to source a pack of the Turkish Delight ones. I rated them higher than the caramel ones (yawn! BORING!) but less good than the Crunchie flavour which I loved.
Bournville isn't a type that I'm desperate to try but what the hey. Anything is worth tryin once.
The only way that Bueno change is at all acceptable is if they have reduced the price. If it's still the same (or dare I say more expensive) then that is a complete farce.
Saying statements like that shouldn't be allowed. It's misleading.
Those Japanese salted caramel kit kat mini look fab. I wish nestle had made our ones that flavour.
Before I read your posts I looked at all the photos and thought you were going to give the biggest score to the wafers. It's incredible that you manage to dress things up so smartly that they look nice when they are really rubbish.
You should get a job working for these companies. People may not buy them again when they realise they are rubbish but your photos will get them to buy once lol.
@Duncan Jims already written a bandb reviews with those dairy milk biccies in it. I found it for you http://www.chocolatemission.net/2010/11/november-19th-bits-n-bobs-chocolate.html
Cool reviews Jim you are always so on top of these new products. You seem to have a nack of finding them weeks before I ever see them. Lol you must be more on the lookout that I am :P
Next time I go to the cinema I'm going to buy the Kit Kat Pop Choc pouch. I love how you have mentioned the old Kubes that they used to make aswell. I never fully understood why they stopped selling them. I thought they were great.
Has anyone here tried the new cadburys mallows that they sell now? They are like teacakes (marshmallow ones not the bakery cakes lol) with cadburys chocolate on the outside. A reivew of them would be top if you can spare the space in an upcoming bits and bobs review mate. I know you like the tunnocks one so I predict you will like these also.
Why didn't cadburys choose one of their more popular brands to create a biscuit around? Wispa biscuits would have been wicked. As would Boost or even Twirl ones. Lol infact I would have gone with anything but bournville me.
Sorry I haven't commented for ages but I have to dive in here and defend my wonderful Bournville chocolate. You youngsters are being far to harsh on it. When I was a little girl it used to be the best, poshest chocolate around.
I know it doesn't get the right treatment by Cadbury now but in it's pomp it was regarded as one of the classiest chocolates you could buy. You should give it a try if you haven't ever.
Maggs
We used those Kit kat pop chocs on top of our pancakes last night. They were so good, ultra handy.
You need to stop reviewing so many of these new chocolate things. As soon as I see them I get a craving for them :( I could do with you going back to reviewing some nutty chocolates or something (lol allergic to nuts), it would at least give me some time off to catch up with you.
Those penguin wafers don't look very good. I hope my mum doesn't try buying them again. She keeps going on about how the tunnocks wafers are "THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING ON THE SHELVES" lol it does my head. She should realise they are more expensive for a reason lol.
Speaking of new products Jim have you managed to find the hobnob cookies yet? one of my m8s is claiming he hasd tried them and he says they are tens times better than marylands and the rest. Your pov would be much appreciated on this matter ;)
I'm a kinder buneo expert I will give you my opinion when I can find one of the reformulated ones. Any ideas where best to look for one guys?
Sorry but I'm not keen on any of these ones I see today. I will happily let them pass me by unless I see some crazy deals going on. I can't see that happening on the cadbury biscuits, they are always mega expensive.
At least you enjoyed the kit kat pop chocs! I agree that the penguin caramel looks no where near as satisfying as its Tunnocks competitor!
Ive tried all of these before. The Penguin wafers have been around a few years now! I actually really liked them, I dont like Tunnocks wafers atall but these and the milk choc ones I really enjoyed.
I also bought the Bournville biscuits a month or so ago in a variety pack made up of the Bournville, crunchie and Crunchie. I got it in Home Bargains. I enjoyed the Bournville biscuits aswell, I agree with Maggs, alot of younger people dont appreciate it (although Im only 28 lol), which is a shame. It was always THE dark chocolate and for a few years was actualy really hard to find.
The Kit Kat pop things I didnt like, theyre not my thing atall. I like Kit Kats but these were just waxy balls which didnt taste that nice to be honest.
Im not dissing your reviews but I think I could happily live without all of these. You are right about there being a lot of new products this year. Its a shame that none of them have been game changers though. When was the last time that a new chocolate bar got launched and managed to stick around for longer than two minutes? Everything these days just come and go, when will they come up with something as iconic like the Mars bar ever again?
I've not found the bournville biscuits yet but I don't think I will be bothering with them now I know how great the dairy milk ones are. Honestly I couldn't stop myself munching them, I wish I had more self control than I do. I will defo be buying some more this weekend.
I've read up on the Kinder Bueno post.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention Jim. I think other companies must have done this as well as Ferrero but I think they have jus made it ten times worse because of how they are trying to pass it off as being better for us all. The only people that have benefitted out this situation are Ferrero big cheeses and their shareholdings.
Yup, we've had those bite-sized KitKats for quite a while here and I actually like them better than regular ones.
I would have expected the other two products to score better as well - the pictures make them look very nice.
Ooh I'm a big fan of Kit Kats so am def up for trying the Pop Chocs. As for the Kinder Bueno con - bad bad BAD Ferrero!!! Thanks for outing them Jim- you're like the people's chocolate hero ;) x
I agree with you about the Bournville biscuits Jim, I didn't think much of them either. Have you seen the Dairy Milk biscuits? They're much nicer. The penguin wafers don't appeal to me, I wasn't impressed with their regular ones. I'll have to try some of the Pop Choc, but I've had the ones from discount stores before and didn't like them much. Like Alan said they are waxy, and to me they tasted inferior to the real thing. They kinda remind me of Kitkat Kubes that they did years ago, did you ever try them Jim?
That whole Kinder thing is quite unbelievable. I wont go on because everyone has already taken enough digs at Ferrero but its atrocious what they are trying to pull off. They should feel ashamed.
ANYWAYS ........ I would prefer telling you about things I would like to try instead ;) What I do want to try are the kit kat choccies you have here. They look puuuuuuurfect lol. I'll try anything that has a kit kat logo on it.
Oops my mistake Jim, after reading Nick's comment I see that you've already reviewed the DM biscuits.
Hi Everyone,
It took me ages to decide what I should post up for review today but it looks like the majority of you have enjoyed seeing what I thought of these three new 'uns. I can envisage there being a fair few more of these 'new product' bits n bobs reviews coming in the next few months. If you take a look at the news page you will see there are endless products being announced in the trade.
In regards to the Kinder Bueno issue I think I have expressed my thoughts on this enough. I would only be repeating myself. Suffice to say I think it's disappointing that they have chosen to go about things like this.
STEVEN - There isn't anything wrong with caramel :D I do get what you mean though, it's certainly a flavour variant that has been done to death.
EMMA - I can't remember reviewing the dark chocolate Tunnocks yet. I think I may just have to put that right :D
MYSTERIO - More on American Soda soon chap! Watch this space.
KEV - These things are just getting cheaper and cheaper aren't they. Soon the 'infamous £1.00' deal will become the 'infamous £0.75'.
GARY - I don't think the Cadbury Turkish biscuits have been totally scrapped but I wouldn't be surprised if they were. I think its obvious they are the weakest performing.
ANONYMOUS - I found my Bournville biscuits in Waitrose. Others have seen them in Sainsburys though.
LINDA - I would like to think I am a good deal hunter, but to be honest all these 'new' products normally launch on some sort of deal so its generally harder to find them off promotion rather than on.
DUNCAN/PHIL - See link provided by Nick.
NIGEL - They were incredible weren't they. 730 passes completed by Barca vs 130 by Arsenal. 76% posession and 20 shots on goal - it was just a complete domination. Smaller packs on the Kit Kat PCs would be good I agree. The pouch does have a handy resealable fold though.
Anon - I did indeed have pancakes yesterday. I had sausages and syrup with mine though. Trust me, its a wonderful mixture.
LEWIS - Hate is a very strong word. I don't particularly like Bournville chocolate no. It isn't the worst dark chocolate I have ever taste, but it would rank nearer the lower end of the spectrum in my order of preference. The mass consumer chocolate that really is worth trying is the Galaxy one in my opinion.
KATIE - Fixing the economy? No I don't think the government are busy doing that :D I think they must be busy doing something else :D
RICHARD - The price is remaining the same I believe. Not acceptable in my opinion.
ROBIN - Thanks for the nice words about my photos. I do try my best with them :D
JONNY - I've seen the Cadbury Mallows but not yet tried them. I will buy some and put them in a future review if you are desperate to see them. Can they really be superior to the Tunnocks ones? I guess we will have to see.
KAREN - I like all of those suggestions. They could of even made Wholenut ones or Fruit & Nut which could have been good. Who knows what the future holds. They might introduce them further down the line.
MAGGS - Out of interest have you ever sensed that any changes have been made to Bournville? So many chocolates these days seem to have changed recipe from years gone by. I would value your views on the Bournville chocolate .... or from anyone else for that matter?
HENRY - What a fine idea. I would also recommend them on ice cream.
TIM - My review of the Hobnob cookies will follow soon. I wont spoil the review :D
HOLLIE - They should be nationwide soon but I found them on sale in Sainsburys at the weekend.
ALAN - What are your views on Bournville changing over time? Would you say its one of the few that has remained consistent? You may recall I haven't all been disparaging of it, it's use in the Old Jamaica and Orange bars doesn't cause any harm.
MEL - I think the days of cult classics are long gone. We live in such a high paced society these days its all about the new and 'exciting'
ANA - Thanks for the nice words about the photos. I saw Lion Bar Pop Chocs the other day, I might give them a review to see if they are as good as the Kit Kat ones.
ROXY - Haha I think 'peoples hero' is a bit strong but I'm glad everyone is a little more informed than previously.
PHIL - I was aware of the Kit Kat Kubes (haha I nearly put KKK then!) but I never got around to every trying them I don't think. I think they were pulled from the market just around the time that I started this website. Unfortunately they don't seem to have done much in the way of the Kit Kat 'Little' Minis in Japan ... not compared to the standard range of Kit Kats they have.
Thanks for the comments again everyone. Just to reiterate the point that I haven't got anything against Ferrero specifically, it is just the way they have communicated the changes to the Bueno which riles me a bit. Like one of the commenters has said today - honesty is always the best policy.
JIM
I'm late on this one, but I had to comment. I'm very jealous of the Kit Kat Pop Chocs. They're exactly like the kit kat bites that used to be available in the states but have been discontinued.
Great reviews as always, Jim!
Thats shameful by Ferrero. What on earth were they thinking.
I do love the look of those pop chocolates. They look my kind of thing.
High quality reviews again mate. I think the pop choc things look best, I swear I had something very similar years ago. Are the Cube things Phil mentions like mini Kit Kat bites?
I was contemplating giving up chocolate for Lent but then I thought about it and decided to choose something I had a chance of keeping to LOL.
Some of my friends are trying to do it. Anyone here attempting such crazyness?
I doubt I will ever try any of these though if someone was to give me a pack of the Kit Ks I wouldn't say no.
@Alan Bournville chocolate is awful. If you think that is nice dark chocolate you obviously haven't tried that many types.
These posts with loads of chocolates in are the coolest.
Yesterday I bought one of the so called new white buenos and a pack of the pop chocs from Tesco.
Lol I was going to try both out last night but I ended up just eating the pop chocs. Once I opened them I couldn't help but finish them off :) ooops
@Jim You know I don't think Bournville has changed much at all. Unlike things like milkybars the difference between what used to be produced and what we have now is probably smaller. Im sure they woud have updated in one way though.
Maggs
Those penguin caramel dont come that cheap. They are still 1.39 if you look on here
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Biscuits/McVities_Penguin_Caramel_Wafer_9x206g.html
You can get 50p off the kit kats in tesco at the moment.
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Chocolate_Bags_Bars_And_Multipacks/Nestle_Kit_Kat_Pop_Chocolate_Pouch_140g.html
I haven't seen anything on here that I have felt I must buy for ages now. I hope you have some higher scoring chocolates around the corner.
Lol Maggs perhaps this is one case where a change in the recipe for a chocolate might be beneficial for it :) Bournville really isnt v great.
I didn't think much of the kit kat pop chocolates were that good. The chocolate felt like it had a waxy coating on it and the bits inside weren't that crunchy in the pack I got. They go stale very quickly if you dont remember to reseal them :( I found this out the hard way.
@Sarah.. actually I have tried many dark chocolates, from many manufacturers and of varying qualities and prices, and while Bournville may not be the best there are far worse out there!
I'm not sure if the recipe has changed or not. Thinking about it I do vaguely recall it being 'darker' in that it was richer and glossier (a bit like those other versions Jim tried with coffee and caramel in them) but that might be my memory playing tricks. I grew up with Bournville as it was my mums favourite chcoclate (she only really likes dark) although she eats many other types now aswell. It was hard to find for along time but the they kinda 'relaunched' it a few years ago - I wonder if a recipe change occured around that time. It doesnt look as dark as I remember as a child I have to say lol. Its a shame people dont appreciate it though.
You don't hang around when these new things come out do ya? I'm not complaining or anything mate. Its always good to see your perspective on these things first as I now know not to waste my money on any of these lot lol.
Yay! Thank you for at last reviewing one of my requests (even if it was 1/2 self-volunteered), too bad it was not as enjoyable to review as it was to read :D I forgot to mention these were especially good dipped in a hot drink, it melted the top chocolate and really brought the cream out too. To avoid stretching your dedication any further by testing this though instead I happily volunteer to take care of any extra biscuit rejects as necessary ;) Oh and I found these originally in Tesco, also for £1.
@Alan Bournville has big nostalgia value for me too, normally I'm really hard on chocolates about their quality but I'll always have a soft spot for it as my first ever dark chocolate, and I hope they never change the recipe as far as the flavor (I do think they've improved the texture though to melt easier, at least in the Indian recipe). Also I drove through the purpose-built Bournville village the other day and the heritage was so impressive, I'm still sad Cadbury sold out to anyone other than the British public.
PS Vouchercloud has Hotel Chocolat 10%off 1-use coupons.
Whats the post tomorrow all about?
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