Quest for the Best Podcast
119 episodes — Page 3 of 3
Episode 121: Hershey's Miniatures
FullHershey’s Miniatures! These little chocolate bars have graced the office candy dish, the Halloween candy bucket, and the parade circuit for years. Hershey’s really is a classic that many kids and adults enjoy. But as you get older, your taste buds usually become a little more refined. Will these treats hold up?Let’s find out!But first…Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.THANK YOU, LAURIE FOR ANOTHER DONATION TO THE SHOW! We really enjoy your comments every week too! Thank you!! Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Nate, needs no introduction.Kris, macaroni art expert.Matt, getting bitter.Amy, we’ve gone of the rails.Hershey’s MiniaturesThe Hershey Company is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers.. Founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey, this Pennsylvania company is known all over the world, especially in the United States.The Hershey’s Miniatures collection of chocolate bars was introduced in 1939, and these miniature little candy bars were intended for use by sales as sample bars. They included…The Milk Chocolate Bars which were introduced in 1900The Mr. Goodbar, which debuted in 1925The Krackel jumped on scene in 1938And the Special Dark was introduced in the 1970s. I believe there was a dark chocolate bar in the Miniatures, but it was branded as something different.According to The Hershey Company’s latest financial reports, the company’s current revenue (TTM) is $11.16 Billion.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!4th Place: KrackelAmy - 2Kris - 2 Matt - 4Nate - 4“Shitty chocolate and hardened Styrofoam.”3rd Place: Milk ChocolateAmy - 3Kris - 3Matt -4Nate -3“The smell of this offends my orifice.” - Nate1st/2nd Place (TIE!): Special DarkAmy - 4Kris - 6Matt - 5Nate - 5<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe477ebbb-63ad-4002-b818-7ca24b0daf67_4000x4000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe477ebbb-63ad-4002-b818-7ca24b0daf67_4000x4000.jpeg…
Episode 120: Rap Snacks
FullOh boy, we have a set of unique chips today. Rap Snacks! Have you heard of these? We certainly had not until we found them when we were at a candy store in Minnesota and decided to buy the three flavors available. Are they a gimmick?Are these chips actually good?Let’s find out together!But first…Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill. Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Nate, not the target audience.Kris, damn cotton mouth!Matt, green breath.Amy, and more!Rap SnacksJames Lindsay is a highly successful Miami-based entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Rap Snacks. By partnering with some of the rap game’s most recognizable names such as Cardi B, Migos, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Master P and Romeo, the brand has become one of the most visible hip-hop geared snack products over the last few decades. Rap Snacks celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022.James honed his marketing skills while serving as a manager in the consumer products industry for Johnson Products, an ethnic hair care company, and Warner-Lambert. James leveraged his background in the hair products business, tweaked and improved upon it and applied it to the packaged food industry. These experiences, and his desire to own a business, empowered him to start Rap Snacks, Inc. in 1994, a snack foods company that featured hip-hop artists on the brand—the first of its kind in the US. The success of Rap Snacks allowed Lindsay to solidify a co-marketing agreement with Universal Records to advertise Universal’s Artists on all Rap Snacks bags. Eventually the company grew into a 5 million dollar business selling mostly twenty-five cent bags of chips.In 2001, Mr. Lindsay expanded his product line by purchasing a snack foods brand called “Mr. G” snack foods. Mr. G was a locally owned Philly brand that was best known for its hot and barbeque cheddar flavored chips. In 2007, Mr. Lindsay launched Soulful Foods, Inc. The first product launched under Soulful Foods, Inc. was a venture between Mr. Lindsay and Sylvia Woods, the “Queen of Soul Food”. In 2010, Mr. Lindsay continued to be a big influence in the music marketing industry; guiding platinum selling recording artist, Meek Mill, by connecting his brand with corporate America and securing brand deals with companies such as, PUMA, and Monster Energy Drink, along with partnering with Monster Headphones to help create the Monster’s 24k Headphones. Mr. Lindsay also assisted Meek Mill in growing PUMA’s business an additional $200 million over a five-year period.In 2017, Lindsay began collaborating with Percy “Master P” Miller to expand the product line into foods such as noodles, breakfast cereals, and rice with the creation of P&J Foods, a partnership between the two. Miller is a limited partner in Rap Snacks.Most recently Lindsay has branched into beverages, having launched a 5-flavored lemonade line with Lil’ Baby, Oowee Lemonade. Rap Snacks are sold in major retail stores across America, including Walmart, Kroger, Sam’s Clubs, Best Buy and Target stores, among other outlets.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Lil’ Baby All In FlavorNate: “That will clear your cotton mouth right up.” 7/10Amy: “It is oddly powdery.” 4/10Kris: “They get your mouth salivating.” 6/10Matt: “That is flavor overload.” 6/10TOTAL: 23/40OG BBQ Cheddar Snoop Dog Flavored Potato ChipsNate: “The chip is a vessel for flavor.” 5/10Amy: “Tooooo powdery!!!” 4/10Kris: “It has Kraft mac-n-cheese flavor.” 4/10Matt: “It’s oddly sweet.” 5/10TOTAL: 18/40Rick Ross Sweet Chili Lemon PepperNate: “I could f*ck up a whole bag of these.” 7/10Amy: “It has a Floot Loop Flavor… that’s the lemon!” 5/10Kris: “The smell is not great but the taste is good.” 6/10Matt: “You have to let your tongue hit the flavors.” 5/10TOTAL: 23/40There you have it. We give Rick Ross and Lil’ Baby the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give ‘em a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.rapsnacks.net/Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love
Episode 119: Limited Edition Little Bites
FullHello Questers! Today we are excited to have a brand/product we have never tried before on this show! We have the limited edition Little Bites Cinnamon Buns Mini Muffins! They sound delicious! But are they?! Let’s find out!Support our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Kris, old man laugh.Nate, Ramen boy.Matt, has two nipples.Amy, hey all!A History of Little BitesThe history of Little Bites goes back to 1898, when William Entenmann opened a bakery in Brooklyn, New York. Complete with a horse-drawn wagon, William delivered fresh baked goods door-to-door. Since then, Entenmann’s has grown to be a family favorite. Little Bites rocked onto the scene in 1999 with Blueberry muffins, Fudge Brownies Muffins, and Little Bites Chocolate Chip Muffins. In 2008 Banana Muffins were introduced and in 2012, Pumpkin. But it doesn’t stop there, in 2013, inspired by Entenmann’s Classic Crumb Cake, Little Bites Crumb Cake muffins were introduced. And to turn it up a notch, in 2014 Party Cake came in rockin. But wait, there’s one more! In 214 Strawberry Yogurt Muffins were introduced as a seasonal flavor, but were so popular they became a permanent Little Bites product in 2017.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Nate: “It would be good with a cup of coffee.” 8/10Amy: “Great moisture content. I love these.” 9/10Kris: “These are pretty good.” 7/10Matt: “I am pleasantly surprised.” 6/10TOTAL: 30/40There you have it. We give the Cinnamon Buns Little Bites the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.littlebites.com/variety/little-bites-cinnamon-buns-muffinsAlso, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Show Notes:https://www.littlebites.com/variety/little-bites-cinnamon-buns-muffins
Episode 118: Nerds Candy
FullThe siblings are back in today’s episode of Quest for the Best! Janet, Alan, and Michael are joining me to try out one of the best candies ever created…. Nerds!Which Nerds are we trying today?Grape NerdsStrawberry NerdsBig Chewy NerdsSour Big Chewy NerdsNerds Candy CornNerds Gummy ClustersWho is on this quest?Janet, the oldest.Alan, the second middle.Michael, the youngest.Amy, the first middle.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of NerdsWhat exactly are Nerds? Nerds are a neon-colored itty bitty tiny candy. They are made out of sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and a lot of dyes. Sounds delicious.Nerds got their start in 1983 in the Willy Wonka Candy Factory. Invented by Angelo Fraggos, these little treats originally came in the double compartment box, Strawberry on one side, Grape on the other or you could get Cherry on one side, and orange on the other.In 1985, the National Candy Wholesalers Association named NERDS “Candy of the Year”. Today there are many flavors and many different NERDS products.Including…NERDS Grape & StrawberryNERDS Watermelon & CherryNERDS RainbowNERDS Gummy ClustersNERDS RopeBig Chewy NERDSThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now6th Place: Big Chewy Nerds SourAlan - 2/10 “I’m getting black licorice here.” Amy - 2/10 “That’s a pass.”Janet - 1/10 “Audra would like these, but Sour Patch Kids is better.”Michael - 1/10 “I don’t want to eat these, these suck.”5th Place: Big Chewy NerdsAlan - 3/10 “It is not as sweet.” Amy - 8/10 “I like the texture of these.”Janet - 2/10 “I don’t like these other kinds of candy.”Michael - 1/10 “It’s like Pepto Bismol.”4th Place: Nerds Candy CornAlan - 4/10 “The orange ones suck.” Amy - 3/10 “These are very very sweet.”Janet - 3/10 “I’m going to have a stomach ache after this.”Michael - 5/10 “They have a nice flavor and texture.”3rd Place: Nerds Gummy ClusterAlan - 7/10 “These are more fruity and juicy.” Amy - 7/10 “Not a huge fan of the gummy part.”Janet - 8/10 “These are really nice surprise.”Michael - 10/10 “These are amazing.”2nd Place: Strawberry NerdsAlan - 9/10 “It’s a good Nerd.”Amy - 7/10 “They are a good candy but not my favorite.”Janet - 10/10 “Strawberry is the best.”Michael - 10/10 “These belong with Grape.”1st Place: Grape NerdsAlan - 8/10 “This is good purple.”Amy - 10/10 “Grape is the best.” Janet - 9/10 “Grape has a nice subtle taste.”Michael - 10/10 “These belong with Strawberry.” There you have it. Grape Nerds receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Nerds? We would love to hear your rating as well.Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentShareSHOW NOTES:Eater.comNerdscandy.com
Doritos Dinamita Sticks!
FullHappy 2024 Questers! Many of you might be wondering where we have been. Three week hiatus… Well, the holidays were very very busy, and so were our usual line up of guests. So, we decided to take a small break. But do not worry. We have great episodes to bring you and more and more foods to try. We are going to continue on our restaurant battles soon, and hit up some more areas of the grocery store. (and some different ethnic grocery stores). But today, we are trying out the Dinamita Sticks Doritos.Which Doritos are we trying today?Smoky Chili QuesoHot Honey MustardTangy Fiery LimeWho is on this quest?Janet, the oldest.Alan, the second middle.Michael, the youngest.Amy, the first middle.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of DoritosTo go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, and to an unlikely location. That location? Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”. You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old, stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. And along with being busy, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name them for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.Since the release, there have been over 100 different flavors. Flavors you can get today include…Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch3D Crunch Spicy Ranch3D Crunch Chili Cheese NachoFlamin’ Hot NachoFlamin’ Hot LimonNacho CheeseCool RanchSpicy Sweet ChiliDinamita Chile LimonSpicy NachoFlamasSalsa VerdeWhite CheddarTapatioThere have also been flavors likeCheeseburgerRanch-Dipped Chicken WingsMountain DewAnd overseas…OliveYogurt and MintClam ChowderIn 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now3rd Place: Smoky Chili QuesoAlan - 7/10 “I really enjoy the smokiness.” Amy - 2/10 “It smells like a hamster cage & the aftertaste is like vomit.”Janet - 2/10 “The flavor is not good. Why you would get this?”Michael - 2/10 “They missed the mark on the cheese.”2nd Place: Tangy Fiery LimeAlan - 8/10 “I kind of like it.”Amy - 5/10 “I like the flavor, but the heartburn is bubbling.”Janet - 5/10 “Holy crap. They have a flavor.”Michael - 5/10 “Oh, man. Give me a Corona.”1st Place: Hot Honey MustardAlan - 8/10 “It’s a vibrant flavor.”Amy - 6/10 “I like the initial tang.” Janet - 8/10 “You definitely taste the honey mustard.”Michael - 5/10 “I could get behind that in a small dosage.” There you have it. Hot Honey Mustard and Tangy Fiery Lime Dorito Dinamita Sticks receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dorito flavors? We would love to hear your rating as well.Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentShareSHOW NOTES:https://www.doritos.com/productshttps://www.snackhistory.com/doritos/https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-didnt-know-doritos/
NEW PRODUCT: Hostess Chocolate Drizzle Baby Bundts
FullHostess is at it again! Two more flavors to try out today, one a limited edition, one a new product flavor! But do they have what it takes to get the Quest for the Best seal of approval?! Let’s find out together!Support our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Alan, NERDS!Nate, fancy boy.Cody, pace yourself.Amy, icy.A History of Hostess…. again.For a longer history, check out the original Hostess episode here.https://open.substack.com/pub/questforthebestpodcast/p/ho-ho-hostess?r=rjail&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webThe Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel.In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Chocolate Drizzle Baby BundtNate: “That artificial flavor at the tail end of it is a little off.” 6/10Amy: “It reminds me of the mini muffins.” 5/10Alan: “I’m getting Tootsie Roll vibes.” 5/10Cody: “There’s a lot in a small package.” 5/10TOTAL: 21/40Hot Cocoa & Marshmallow Mini DonettesNate: “This tastes like something made with an Easy-Bake-Oven.” 2/10Amy: “Add some salt and this would taste like Playdoh.” 3/10Alan: “This is a pretty bad texture.” 3/10Cody: “What the hell is this!?” 1/10TOTAL: 9/40There you have it. We give the Chocolate Drizzle Baby Bundts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.hostesscakes.comAlso, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Show Notes:https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCakehttps://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brandshttps://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657
NEW PRODUCT: Little Debbie Cereals
FullCereal is a staple in many households. And not just for breakfast. It is a great snack throughout the day, or sometimes even a nice simple meal. Today we have the Swiss Cake Roll and Nutty Buddy cereals. Let’s see if either get the seal of approval. Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Kris, hide your wife, hide your kids.Hannah, aka Hot Take Hannah.Matt, he’s here!Amy, here we go again.A History of CerealBreakfast has had an interesting evolution. In the colonial times, people generally ate porridge or leftovers from the night before. Something that would get them going in the morning and give them energy for the day. But as the nation grew wealthier, breakfasts also grew. Big breakfasts of steak, eggs, bacon, sausages became very common. And having a big meal made sense if you worked on the farm and needed a meal to last you until dinner after a long day of hard labor. But as time passed and the Industrial Revolution happened, less and less people needed a huge meal in the morning, nor did they have time for it. Additionally, a heavy morning meal wasn’t considered ideal for health reasons.Queue Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Dr. Kellogg took over the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a world-famous medical spa. He believed in “biologic living”, promoting exercise, massage therapy, and digestive health. And with that goal in mind, Corn Flakes were born. They were so popular among patients at the sanitorium, Kellogg decided to market the flakes as a light, healthy breakfast meal.The cereal business was cutthroat as soon as it started. One-time patient at the sanitarium, C.W. Post quickly adapted the cereal into his own creation, Grape-Nuts, which was incredibly successful. Today Americans buy around 2.7 billion boxes of cereal each year. This amounts to about 14 pounds of cereal that the average person consumes annually.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Swiss Cake RollHannah: “The texture is bad.” 6/10Amy: “They are funky and bad.” 3/10Kris: “The first crunch is really bad.” 5/10Matt: “This is just like a cocoa pebble, along those lines.” 5/10TOTAL: 19/40Nutty BuddyHannah: “This looks like it isn’t made for human consumption.” 2/10Amy: “Throw this in the trash where it belongs.” 1/10Kris: “Where is the peanut butter?” 2/10Matt: “It smells like a tootsie roll.” 3/10TOTAL: 8/40There you have it. NOTHING gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Save your money. Save your time. Save your taste buds. Horrible horrible horrible.Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these cereals? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Subscribe now
LIMITED EDITION: Red Velvet & Oreo Hot Cocoa
FullDid someone say Moreos? Because we have more Oreos to try! Hardy har har. Oreo has been coming out with some more limited edition cookies, so why not give them a try!Today we have the Red Velvet Oreos and the Hot Cocoa Oreos. Let’s see if either get the seal of approval. Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Nate, fists of fury.Alan, coffee dipper.Cody, limited edition.Amy, savage.A History of OreosSo the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today. So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Red Velvet OreoNate: “Meh. It’s fine for an Oreo.” 4/10Amy: “The frosting is so bad. It’s weirdly sweet.” 4/10Cody: “The cream cheese… ugh.” 4/10Alan: “I like the sweetness.” 7/10TOTAL: 19/40Hot Cocoa OreoNate: “The cocoa cream pairs well with the cookie.” 8/10Amy: “I like these. They are lovely.” 8/10Cody: “They just taste like Oreos.” 6/10Alan: “It’s a good cookie.” 8/10TOTAL: 30/40There you have it. We give the limited edition Hot Cocoa Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.oreo.com/Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Subscribe nowShow Notes:https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/
Frozen Pizza!
FullWho hasn’t had a frozen pizza? I dare say everyone has gone to the freezer and pulled out a pizza, a quick meal that doesn’t cost much and fills you up. And there are so many different brands out there, everyone has a chance of finding something they like, or at least tolerate. Well that is what we are going to hopefully find today, a Quest worthy frozen za!If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support! Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Donate yer moniesWhich Jell-O flavors are we trying today?Di GiornoTombstoneTotinosTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesWho is on this seasonal quest?Alan, Bachelors of Bean.Nate, wait for it.Matt, man overboard!Amy, over sauced.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of Frozen PizzaThe simple act of turning on the oven, grabbing a frozen pizza out of the freezer, and baking it until the cheese melts, the toppings are hot, and the crust has a nice crunch, is actually something that has not been around very long. Sure, pizza made it’s way to the United States in the early 1900s thanks to Italian immigrants, but there wasn’t even the ability to preserve a pizza until freezers were made and home freezers became a regular thing, which wasn’t until the 40s and 50s.But with the popularity of pizza taking off after World War II, pizza restaurant owners in the U.S. started offering take-and-bake pizzas, and soon after, frozen pizzas were common in the grocery store. In the 50s, frozen pizza started taking off, with many regional companies raking in the dough. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that a brand rose to national fame. Rose and Jim Totino began mass-producing frozen pizzas in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in 1962 and by the 1970s, Totino’s became the country’s top-selling frozen pizza, with sales reaching $50 million by 1974.Totino’s was not a the only company reaching great pizza heights, however. In the 1960’s, Mama Celeste came onto the scene. Also, in 1966, the Simek brothers went from selling pizza in their bar, called The Tombstone Tap, to selling their frozen pizzas to other taverns. And by 1984, Tombstone Pizza was one of the top frozen pizza distributors.Who rolls on the scene next? Schwan’s of course, with the purchase of Kansas-based pizza manufacturer Tony’s. And in 1976, Schwan’s expanded their pizza business further by launching Red Baron, which is now one of the country’s leading pizza brands.By the 1980s, the market was worth $1 billionToday the top frozen pizza brands in the U.S. are…Di Giorno - $319.28 million in annual salesRed Baron - $255.73 million in annual salesTotino’s Party Pizza - 104.22 million in annual salesJack’s - 91.48 million in annual salesTombstone - 57.43 million in annual salesThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now4th Place: Di Giorno’sAlan -3Amy -3Nate -4“It’s edible.” - Amy3rd Place: TombstoneAlan -4Amy -5Nate -6<img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6797d7f-b8ce-47ea-8351-d3bb573a1f6a_5054x5061.jpeg" width="1456" height="1458" data-attrs="{"src":"https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a6797d7f-b8ce-47ea-8351-d3bb573a1f6a_5054x5061.jpeg","srcNoWatermark":null,"fullscreen":null,"imageSize":null,"height":1458,"width":1456,"resizeWidth":null,"bytes":1468978,"alt":null,"title":null,"type":"image/jpeg","href":null,"belowTheFold":true,"topImage":false,"internalRedirect":null}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6797d7f-b8ce-47ea-8351-d3bb573a1f6a_5054x5061.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6797d7f-b8ce-47ea-8351-d3bb573a1f6a_5054x5061.jpeg 848w,…
LIMITED EDITION: Smartfood Popcorn Buffalo Wild Wings
FullI love love love popcorn. Nice warm buttery popcorn. And through the years I have tried other flavors. The loved by many (but not by me) cheesy corn. A nice fresh caramel corn. A bite or two of the candied popcorn is okay. But really, the best is the classic buttery popcorn. But maybe, just maybe, we will have a new favorite today when we try the Smartfood Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce flavored Popcorn.Thank you to our supporters by the way! We appreciate your help in getting these shows produced. We have a new producer as well! Someone to sit proudly with Loraine, Lisa, and Laurie! A special thanks to Reid! We appreciate the support! You too can be an active member in the quest family… All you have to do is comment, share, and donate! Thanks!Leave a commentSupport our podcast!ShareWho are our Questers today?Cody, a Questing newbie!Alan, slow down.Nate, full of fun facts.Amy, nervous for this one.A History short of SmartfoodSmartfood was created in 1985 by Andrew Martin and Annie Withey out of Hampton, Connecticut. Their goal was to make popcorn that people actually liked, and to get pre-popped popcorn’s reputation out of the gutter. They also knew through their research that Americans made their own popcorn multiple times a week, and just figured consumers would want an easier way to consume.When the product went to market, it was almost an overnight success. In 1989, the product was sold to Frito-Lay and the original duo split ways. Annie Withey went on to open Annie’s Homegrown.Varieties of Smartfood Popcorn include…Original White CheddarFlamin’ Hot White CheddarCaramel Cheddar MixMovie Theater ButterSweet and Salty Kettle CornThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Alan: “It has a weird funk to it.” 2/10Amy: “This is the Funyun breath of food.” 1/10Cody: “This tastes like garlic sauce that has sat out in the sun for 3 days.” 2/10Nate: “This made me wish I was doing something else with my life.” 3/10TOTAL: 8/40There you have it. We do not give Smartfood Buffalo Wild Wings Popcorn the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to test your stamina and fate and give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!https://www.smartfood.com/Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Subscribe nowShow Notes:https://www.snackhistory.com/smartfood-popcorn/
J-E-L-L-O time
FullJell-O. I think that when many people hear that word, some specific memories might pop up in their minds. For me, I think about the Jell-O dessert my dad makes for Thanksgiving. I think about how my grandma’s Jell-O always had that rubbery film on the top that was pretty gross. And of course, the occasional Jell-O shot at the bars with my friends.Today we are going to try out seven different flavors of Jell-O and see which one really hits the spot.If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support! Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Donate yer moniesWhich Jell-O flavors are we trying today?StrawberryLemonBerry BlueOrangeGrapeCherryRaspberryWho is on this seasonal quest?Alan, teacher’s pet.Nate, oversharing today.Matt, middle of the road.Amy, watch out for Jell-O skin.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of Jell-OIf you want to know about Jell-O, known as “America’s Most Famous Dessert”, you first should know a bit about gelatin. A Frenchman named Denis Papin is an original when it comes to discovering the substance. In 1682, he was experimenting with removing the glutinous material from animal bones by boiling it. He discovered it had no taste, odor, or color, but was pure protein. But despite this discovery, it wouldn’t be manufactured until the mid 1700s.But when would it become the flavored, jiggly dessert kids and adults near and far enjoy? Well, in 1845, Peter Cooper secured the patent for a gelatin dessert powder called Portable Gelatin, requiring only the addition of hot water. But he sat on the patent for 50 years, not doing much with it at all. In 1895, Pearle Wait, a cough syrup maker bought the patent from Peter CooperPearle and his wife May experimented with the powdered gelatin, adding different fruit syrups, and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which May named JELL-O. Realizing he had something good, Pearle tried to market his product but lacked the capital and marketing know-how. In 1899 he sold the trademark for $450 to Frank Woodward. Sales were slow for the new product. Woodward decided to launch an advertising campaign using the slogan, “America’s most favorite Dessert.” He plastered the brand all over pictures, posters, billboards, magazines. The campaign put recipes in magazines and were distributed across the United States. Over 15 million Jell-O recipe booklets were printed and distributed. Norman Rockwell provided colored illustrations. The advertising campaign proved so successful that sales in 1902 were $250,000. (this amounts to almost $9,000,000 today) Today Jell-O is the largest selling prepared dessert and is known worldwide. Some fun facts about Jell-OThe first flavors of Jell-O were Orange, Lemon, Raspberry, and Strawberry.Utah consumes more Jell-O than any other state. It is also their official state food.Jell-O is apparently very popular among the Mormons. Sales figures released by Kraft Foods revealed that Salt Lake City Utah to have the highest per-capita JELL-O consumption. In fact, the Mormon Corridor region in Utah has been nicknamed the “Jell-O Belt”.For the 2002 Olympics, held in Salt Lake City, a commemorative pin was made featuring a big bowl of green Jell-O.In the movie The Wizard of Oz, the horse of a different color was 6 different horses, each of them tinted a different color using Jell-O.In the 1960s, Jell-O released savory and vegetable flavors such as celery, mixed vegetable, Italian Salad, and tomato. Many of the Jell-O recipes of the day included ingredients like cabbage, celery, green peppers, or cooked pasta. For example, one recipe recommends adding a can of tuna, tomato, hard boiled eggs, olives, green peppers, onions, Italian dressing, and lettuce to the Mixed Vegetable or Celery Jell-O.Some other retired flavors include cola, chocolate, coffee, sparkling white grape and apple.Jell-O is nearly 90% sugar.The most popular flavor is Strawberry.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now7th/6th Place (tie): StrawberryAlan -5 Amy -4Matt -5Nate -3“Weak. Weak.” - Alan7th/6th Place (tie): GrapeAlan -5Amy -6Matt -5Nate -2<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c1641fa-b524-441f-9f0e-82f705c46ff2_4000x4000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s
NEW PRODUCT: M&M Campfire Smores
FullM&M’s are a classic any time of year. Whether you just want a quick chocolate snack, or maybe you are baking some cookies or mixing up some trail mix, M&M’s are a go-to for many people.Today we are trying out the Limited Edition Campfire Smores M&M’s. Will these earn a seal of approval? Let’s find out!But first…Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill. Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Hannah, aka Sticky Fingers Hannah.Kris, with a K.Matt, living on the edge.Amy, here we go again!A History of M&M’sM&M’s got their start with Mars. Forrest Mars Sr, who managed the Mars candy company, got the idea for M&Ms while working in Europe in the 1930s. He was overseeing production of Mars candy bars as a part of army rations. Forrest discovered soldiers liked to eat sugar coated chocolate so it wouldn’t melt as fast. So upon returning to the states, Forrest Mars worked with Bruce Murrie and created M&Ms (Mars and Murrie)Some fun facts about M&Ms…Initially M&Ms were exclusive to the US Army. The M on the candies was added to distinguish themselves from the copycat competitors. M&Ms were the first candy in space.The movie ET was supposed to feature M&Ms but Mars declined and Reese’s Pieces were put in the movie instead, resulting in a 65% sales increase for Hershey.There are over 400 million produced each day.List of past and present flavorsAlmondBananaBirthday CakeCafé MochaCandy AppleCarrot CakeCherry CordialCherryChili NutCinnamonCoconutCrispyCrispy S’moresEaster SundaeGingerbreadHoney NutHot ChocolatePeanutDark ChocolateMintOrangePeanut ButterPecan PiePineapplePretzelPumpkin Spice LatteRaspberryRed VelvetStrawberryVanilla ShakeToffee AppleWhite ChocolateThe product description for these Campfire Smore M&M’s is….Each bite is a blazing delight with a milk chocolate center surrounded by a toasted marshmallow and vanilla-flavored white chocolate layer, covered in white, black, and orange colored candy shells. With a delightful twist on the classic campfire treat, each bite will transport you to a cozy campsite under a starry autumn sky. From visiting the pumpkin patch to tailgating at a football game to a Halloween movie marathon, M&M'S Halloween candy is perfect for all fall occasions. Orange, white, and black candy-colored shells of M&M'S Campfire Smores make for a perfect Halloween treat in a candy dish and to top your ghoulish decorated desserts.Whether you're visiting a pumpkin patch or going tailgating before the big game, M&M'S Campfire Smores Halloween candy is great to take on the go for any fall occasionElevate your Halloween movie night with friends by mixing your popcorn with the delightful crunch and campfire-inspired flavor of M&M'S Campfire chocolates for the ultimate cozy experienceWhether you're filling up your Halloween candy dish or jazzing up your ghoulish desserts, these chocolates are the ultimate must-have for capturing the spooky spirit of the Halloween seasonThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Hannah: “It’s like an artificial maple aftertaste.” 1/10Amy: “The marshmallow and chocolate makes it taste hazelnutty.” 2/10Kris: “This literally tastes like a Yankee Candle.” 2/10Matt: “You tricked me into eating another.” 2/10TOTAL: 7/40There you have it. We do not give the Campfire Smore M&M’s the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/campfire-smores-mms/ct2153-p.htmlThank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARE! We want more people listening! SHARE!<a class="button primary button-wrapper"…
NEW PRODUCT: Snickerdoodle Pop-Tarts
FullThe Snickerdoodle is one of those classic cookies that just about everyone loves. A nice fluffy cookie with cinnamon sugar. Warm right out of the oven on a cold winter day, maybe with a mug of hot chocolate. Yum. Or if you are one of those coffee lovers, I am guessing coffee and a cookie might sound good to you as well.Unfortunately, we are not trying Snickerdoodles today. But we are trying out the Snickerdoodle Pop Tarts! Maybe they will be just as good? Let’s find out! Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!Leave a commentDonate yer moniesWho are our Questers today?Kris, podcasting with Hannah.Hannah, podcasting with Kris.Matt, podcasting with Amy.Amy, podcasting with Matt.A Mini History Pop TartsIn 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Kris: “It is the lesser version of the Brown Sugar Cinnamon.” 3/10Amy: “It has no punch to it.” 3/10Hannah: “They are okay, but cook in a toaster oven.” 4/10Matt: “It’s bland for a Snickerdoodle. Needs more cinnamon.” 4/10TOTAL: 14/40There you have it. We do NOT give Snickerdoodle Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.poptarts.comThank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Leave a commentThanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.Show Notes:https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/
Doritos, Bugles, Funyuns, and more!
FullAs our loyal listeners know by now, I spend a lot of time in the grocery store looking for new products. Lots of brands will take an old product and put a new flavor to it. Sometime you just happen to find something brand new. Well today, we have five different varieties of chips that all have a new flavor put to them. And instead of doing 5 episodes, we decided to combine these and see which one is the best new product.As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.Donate yer moniesWhich chips are we trying today?Funyuns Spicy QuesoHerr’s Game Day Flavors Cheesy PizzaBugles Hidden Valley RanchDoritos Spicy Pineapple JalapenoCheetos Mexican Street CornWho is on this stomach churning quest?Kris, pardon my French.Hannah, growing out the stash.Matt, always and forever.Amy, for the science.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of Chips (scroll down to skip to the history of Bugles as well!)The origin of the potato chip is not exactly set in stone. But the most popular chip legend is as follows.Let’s go to Moon’s Lake House, a popular restaurant in the resort town of Saratoga Springs, New York. Here we will find Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad baron, dining at Moon’s Lake House, where he was sorely disappointed in the fried potatoes he had been served. He sent them back to the kitchen, asking for a thinner slice of potato. The chef, George Crum, was a little offended by the request and decided to show him who was chef. He sliced some potatoes as thin as he could, fried them to a crisp, and served them to Vanderbilt. But to Crum’s surprise, they were loved by the patron and the potato chip was born.But there are holes in this story. For one, if this was true, Cornelius Vanderbilt was likely not the patron of the restaurant. Another issue, Crum’s invention was unrecognized during his lifetime. He was a celebrated chef, being named “the best cook in the country” by a writer for the New York Herald in 1889. Being as accomplished as he was, surely it would have been set in stone if he was the inventor.Additionally, an obituary for Catherine Adkins Wicks maintained she was the originator of the potato chip. Catherine was Crum’s sister and worked alongside him in the kitchen. One story tells the story with her and the disgruntled customer, not Crum. Another says she was peeling potatoes and dropped a thin slice into a boiling pot of fat and stumbled upon the discovery.There are multiple other people who have claimed to be the inventor posthumously. But one things is probably certain, Saratoga Springs did a lot to popularize the potato chip, and were even known as Saratoga Chips for many years.The History of BuglesBugles debuted in May of 1964 with regional launches in Seattle, Portland, Omaha, Des Moines, Buffalo, and Syracuse. Its national launch happened in 1966. Unlike every other corn chip on the market, Bugles were and are shaped as small cones and are actually described as a corn snack, rather than a corn chip. And who was the brain child of this unique, delicious snack? That would be Verne E Weiss. Verne was a food engineer who kept it pretty simple when it came to Bugles, sans the shape. The original flavor primarily consists of corn meal, coconut oil, sugar, salt, baking soda, and BHT(Side note, I didn’t know what BHT was so I looked it up. According to WebMD, Butylated hydroxytoluene is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative. People also use it as medicine. BHT is used to treat genital herpes and AIDS. Studies have also found that high amounts can cause cancer. yummy)Today Bugles are sold in the United States, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, and several more countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Bugle flavors includeOriginalNacho CheeseHidden Valley RanchCaramelCinnamon Toast CrunchThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now5th Place - Cheetos Mexican Street CornAmy - 2Hannah - 1Kris - 2Matt - 3“It’s bad, but I recommend you try them.” - Matt4th Place - Doritos Spicy Pineapple JalapenoAmy - 2Hannah - 4Kris - 1Matt - 2<img…
LIMITED EDITION: Churro Kit Kat
FullChurros. Man do I love a good churro. When they are still warm, and you get that wonderful dusting of cinnamon sugar, the crunchy bite but fluffy pastry. You really cannot go wrong. And until now, I do not think I have ever seen a product try to make a churro flavor. But Kit Kat is giving it a shot. Let’s see if they hit the mark.Thank you to our supporters by the way! We appreciate your help in getting these shows produced. We have a new producer as well! Someone to sit proudly with Loraine, Lisa, and Laurie! A special thanks to Reid! We recorded this episode (and a few others) before your donation, but expect to get a shout out soon! We appreciate the support! You too can be an active member in the quest family… All you have to do is comment, share, and donate! Thanks!Leave a commentSupport our podcast!ShareWho are our Questers today?Hannah, weird flavor expert.Kris, well hydrated.Matt, aka Off Mic Matt!Amy, bring back the cherry Kit Kats!A History of Kit KatThe Kit Kat bar got its start across the pond in 1935. These wafer treats were originally known by Londoners as “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” Two years later, the candy would be renamed to “Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp.” The name Kit Kat came from the Kit Kat Club which was named after Christopher Catling who used to hold a literary and political club in his pie shop in London in the 17th century.So what exactly are Kit Kat bars? Kit Kats are three layers of wafer covered with an inner and outer layer of chocolate. If you buy the regular size candy bar, each of the pieces you break off are called a finger. Depending on the size of bar you get, they can have 1, 2, or 4 fingers in them. When people think of Kit Kat bars, a little jingle probably goes through their heads. The classic line, “Have a break, have a Kit Kat” was introduced by Donald Gillies. The slogan became such an icon that it is now a registered trademark.And the Churro Kit Kat is described as…Warm summer days just got sweeter! KIT KAT® Churro Flavored Candy Bar takes inspiration from a beloved dessert enjoyed in many corners of the world. This limited-edition flavor features buttery churro-flavored creme with sugar around crisp wafers.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Hannah: “This would be a lot better with a cup of coffee.” 4/10Amy: “I’m surprised, I like this quite a lot.” 7/10Kris: “This tasted pretty good.” 7/10Matt: “It tastes like a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.” 6/10TOTAL: 24/40There you have it. We give the Churro Kit Kat the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!https://www.hersheyland.com/products/kit-kat-churro-candy-bar-1-5-oz.htmlAlso, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Subscribe nowShow Notes:https://www.hersheyland.com/products/kit-kat-churro-candy-bar-1-5-oz.htmlhttp://breakwithkitkat.weebly.com/history-of-kit-kat.html
NEW PRODUCT EPISODE: Little Debbie Cookies and Creme Brownies
FullOur world at Quest for the Best seems to be a rotation between Hostess and Coke as of late. Two brands that really push out new products constantly. But Little Debbie is screaming from the back hoping to be noticed, and I definitely noticed when the Cookies and Creme Brownie popped up on the grocery store shelves. It is hard to do cookies and creme wrong, so let’s see if this new brownie can stand up to the competition.But first, let’s hear it for our producers! Woohoo! Thank you for your contributions to our show. Now I ask that everyone else become a producer of this podcast. Why? Well, as much fun as it is to make this show, it does cost us a lot of money. And we also do not want to be just like the other podcasts who just ask you for money AND STILL have sponsored ads throughout their episodes. No. We will not subject you to ads about securing your home and seeing a doctor! But that is the way most podcasters make any money off their effort. Not us. We just ask you to donate or share our podcast to help get the word out for us. So, please help us out!ShareSupport our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Hannah, wants more squid.Kris, yum, brownies.Matt, Fudge Round kind of guy.Amy, here we go!A History of Little DebbieThe Little Debbie story started during the Great Depression when entrepreneur O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet. In 1934, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small, failing bakery, using the family car as collateral. In 1960, O.D. decided to name the brand after his 4- year old granddaughter Debbie and used her photo for the logo. In August of that year, the first family pack was produced and consisted of the original snack cake, the Oatmeal Creme Pie. They were individually wrapped products and the first carton was only 49 cents. After this initial introduction, more than 14 million cakes were sold within 10 months, and by 1964 there were 14 different varieties being sold.Today, more than 75 different varieties are available. Little Debbie snacks are available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.The top-selling Little Debbie varieties are Oatmeal Cream Pies, Swiss Cake Rolls, and Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars. McKee Foods sells more than 200 million cartons of these three products every year.Today we are trying out the brand new Snicker-Doodle Creme Pies. These new pies were introduced at the beginning of July of 2022. And we just got them here in Iowa. According to the Little Debbie website, they are described as…Take a bite out of nostalgia with Little Debbie Snickerdoodle Creme Pies. Two soft vanilla-flavored cookies baked with cinnamon morsels are sandwiched around our famous fluffy creme, making them the perfect choice for mornings, mid-day or anytime a little cinnamon sweetness is just the treat you need. As vanilla-flavored creme melts in your mouth, surprises of cinnamony sugar crystals combine with the soft-baked cookies, creating a delicious snickerdoodle cookie experience that is irresistible. Grab a box to try the newest snack from Little Debbie, and Unwrap a Smile® today!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Hannah: “It does not have distinct flavor profiles.” 3/10Amy: “It tastes just like a Cosmic Brownie.” 3/10Kris: “Nothing about this tastes like Cookies and Creme.” 2/10Matt: “It gives the illusion of Cookies and Creme.” 4/10TOTAL: 12/40There you have it. We do not give the Little Debbie Cookies and Creme Brownie the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!https://littledebbie.comAlso, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Donate now!Subscribe nowShow Notes:littledebbie.com
NEW PRODUCT EPISODE: Old El Paso Twists
FullOld El Paso is a pretty well known brand name in the grocery store. You have the taco shells, taco seasoning, sauce, chips, cheese, rice, beans… I mean, can you have taco night without Old El Paso? And now, you have a whole new product to snack on when you are not in the mood for tacos… The Old El Paso Twists. So let’s get our snack on.But first…Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill. Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Donate to our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Nate, Arm Pit smeller.Kris, getting down with that.Matt, ranch man.Amy, joke’s on me.Old El Paso Fiesta Twists…No history today, just a quick run down on what each of these twists are, directly from the Old El Paso website. And the descriptions do not vary much…Queso Flavor:Crispy and Crunchy with a twist. Bring the whole family together during snack time with Old El Paso Queso Cheese Fiesta Twists. These light and airy corn twists have a satisfying crunch that will be unlike your typical savory snacks. These fun shaped corn twists are packed with some of your favorite southwestern flavors. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists feature the perfect blend of delicious queso cheese and salty corn chips. This fun and friendly snack food adds satisfying flavor to snack bags or the office snack drawer. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists make great, delicious fun for both kids and adults.Zesty Ranch Flavor:Crispy and Crunchy with a twist. Bring the whole family together during snack time with Old El Paso Zesty Ranch Fiesta Twists. These light and airy corn twists have a satisfying crunch that will be unlike your typical savory snacks. These fun shaped corn twists are packed with some of your favorite southwestern flavors. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists feature the perfect blend of zesty ranch and salty corn chips. This fun and friendly snack food adds satisfying flavor to snack bags or the office snack drawer. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists make great, delicious fun for both kids and adults. The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Zesty RanchNate: “This smells like an armpit.” 2/10Amy: “The flavor isn’t bad.” 4/10Kris: “What is with that texture?” 4/10Matt: “The aftertaste is whack.” 3/10TOTAL: 13/40QuesoNate: “The flavor is a lot better in this one, for sure.” 3/10Amy: “I wish the flavor was stronger.” 4/10Kris: “There is a heat at the end.” 5/10Matt: “This is more pleasant than the others.” 4/10TOTAL: 16/40There you have it. We do not give the either of the Old El Paso Fiesta Twists…
LIMITED EDITION: Coca Cola Ultimate
FullCoca Cola is trying it again. Another new soda flavor. And like I always say, why mess with perfection? Coca Cola does not need to make anything other than Classic Coca Cola and Cherry Coke. But obviously they must make some money on these limited runs, since people like me have to try them out.We try these sodas and foods out so you don’t have to. And if you like this set up, and like the episodes we put out, please consider becoming a producer of our show by donating!Leave a commentSupport our podcast!Who are our Questers today?Kris, leveling up.Nate, living in the 2000s.Matt, bitter, like life.Amy, smells someone’s burp.Subscribe nowA History of Coca-ColaAs stated before, we have done a lot of cola episodes, so if you want a history, be sure to listen to our many other episodes.But here is a brief synopsis of Coca Cola Ultimate.Experience Coca-Cola® Ultimate, the latest Coca-Cola® Creations sparkling beverage to matchmake with the shelves. Join as Coca-Cola® Creations and League of Legends come together to unlock Coca-Cola® Ultimate’s +XP flavor. The limited-edition flavor, made in co-creation with Riot Games, takes the recognizable Coca-Cola® taste and adds the electrifying taste of +XP. Whether gaming or watching, reach out for an ice-cold Coca-Cola® Ultimate to celebrate your fandom. Try the +XP, before the game is over.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Coca Cola UltimateNate: “It’s a soda.” 4/10Amy: “I don’t mind this. It reminds me of a Gobstopper.” 6/10Kris: “I’m not disappointed. It has a decent blend.” 7/10Matt: “It’s okay. I’d give it a 6 if it wasn’t for the marketing.” 5/10TOTAL: 22/40There you have it. We do give the Ultimate Limited Edition Coca-Cola the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.coca-cola.comAlso, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.Leave a commentHelp us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!
Orange you glad we are trying these cream sodas today?
FullAs we round out the end of summer (that’s right. If you are reading this on the day it is released, TOMORROW is the last day of our beautiful summer.) it only seems fitting to try out something that will quench your thirst on a warm summer day. Something that will indulge your sweet tooth. Something that will leave you smiling. Something with a little pop and fizz. Well, at least that is what we hope as we try out some Orange Cream Sodas. Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Donate yer moniesWhich orange cream sodas are we trying today?Polar Orange CreamBoots Beverages Dromsicle Orange CreamOld Centennial Orange CreamBlumer’s Orange CreamFitz’s Orange CreamAppalachian Orange Cream SodaWho is on this seasonal quest?Kris, expert extortionist.Nate, cream soda boy.Matt, not a cream soda boy.Amy, this is horrible.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!Subscribe nowThe History of … No history lesson today! We have done a ton of soda histories by now. But if you listen to the show, you will get a nice run down of our trip to buy these sodas. The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Subscribe now6th Place: Boots Beverages Dromsicle Orange CreamAmy - 2Kris - 1Matt - 3Nate - 1“This could be good except for the sour feet taste.” - Amy5th Place: Polar Orange CreamAmy - 1Kris - 1Matt - 3Nate - 3“If you love your children, don’t buy this.” -Kris4th Place: Fitz’s Orange CreamAmy - 2Kris - 2Matt - 2Nate - 6<a class="image-link is-viewable-img image2"…