Get Adobe Flash player

Snack Foods

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk – Can Brits Take the Heat? (Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink)

Forget your deep-fried Mars bar or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the latest crazy culinary combo doing the rounds in the United Kingdom is milk and crisps.

The newest snack brand from PepsiCo, Extra Flamin’ Hot went on sale in the United Kingdom last week.  Maybe. The hot new flavor, available across the Walkers MAX, Doritos and Wotsits Crunchy range, has been given “spicy” reviews by some snack lovers for whom the heat has proved too much.

To douse rising temperatures, bosses have decided to sell milk miniatures alongside the snacks … although readers should bear in mind that the news is being released on April Fools Day where members of the public, alongside organizations and brands, play pranks on the public.

The Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk will hit the shelves Monday April 1, and be on sale for “as long it takes for the British taste buds to mature to the spice”, said Dalila Fops Roy, head of brand innovation.

With its spice-neutralizing properties, milk was chosen as an antidote to the heat of Extra Flamin’ Hot crisps.

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk“Milk contains a protein called casein, which can break down capsaicin in the same way that soap cuts through grease,” said Dr. Paolo Salify, director of heat transference.

To accompany the April Fools prank, Extra Flamin’ Hot has undertaken (real) research to show the parts of the country that can handle the heat of the spicy new snack. It shows that those from Glasgow are the biggest lovers of spice in the United Kingdom, with two thirds (67 percent) claiming to either like or love spicy food. Meanwhile those in Belfast, Northern Ireland, like it the least – 41 percent have either a low, or no tolerance to spicy food.

“We have been considering a milk miniature to sell alongside Extra Flamin’ Hot Wotsits Crunchy, Doritos and Walkers MAX for some time,” Salify said. “With the arrival of this new data, we decided to expedite that decision and get it on the shelves as quickly as possible.”

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk will go on sale initially in Belfast, and a nationwide roll out is expected to come in the coming days and weeks … or not!

Happy April Fools Day from your friends at Gourmet News.

Low-Carb Crisp Power Pretzel-Style Snack to make U.S. Debut in March

If it looks, tastes, and crunches like a pretzel, it’s undeniably one – especially when it’s the protein-packed, low-carb wonder of Crisp Power. Founded by Gilad Zilberberg, the mind behind Dream Pretzels, Crisp Power is gearing up for its U.S. debut in March. As a sister company to Dream Pretzels, Crisp Power brings a snack revolution, where intelligent choices meet extraordinary flavors to power everyone’s day, whether it’s a workout, work or party time.

“We are excited for wellness enthusiasts in search of high-protein, low-carb options to discover Crisp Power. After years of perfecting our recipe, we’re thrilled to present a crunchy snack with the flavor of an everything bagel and the crunchy texture of a satisfying pretzel,” said CEO Zilberberg.

Crisp Power, a brand committed to functional food, has crafted a pretzel that boasts high protein and low carb content, containing a mere 6g of carbs and an impressive 27-28g of plant-based protein per 1.7-ounce pack! Each pack provides a whopping 56 percent of the daily value of protein.

Created from a distinctive blend of proteins originated from grains and legumes, the protein-packed pretzel contains all the essential amino acids vital for health and muscle development. With high bioavailability, it has earned FDA recognition as a “Good source of protein” in the diet.

But that’s not all – the pretzels are not only baked, sugar-free, high in fibers (36 percent of DV per pack), and free from artificial colors or flavors, but they also boast an irresistible crunch. It might sound almost too good to be true, but it is.

The patent-pending recipes, abundant in protein, cater to everyone, not just athletes! Ideal for vegans, those following a keto lifestyle, individuals with diabetes and wellness enthusiasts.

The pretzel-style snack is revolutionizing how simple it is to eat between meals. Every bite satisfies the craving for a savory treat yet empowers snackers to get what they need in a new way – beyond protein bars and power bites. Instead, anyone can enjoy the power of the pretzel as a quick snack straight out of the bag or paired with hummus, healthful dips and cheeses.

For those looking to grab a quick bite on the go, fuel up for a workout, or share with friends and family, Crisp Power is designed to fit seamlessly into everyday occasions. In the snack aisles often dominated by empty calorie options, Crisp Power aims to stand out as a beacon of health and flavor. Crisp Power is proud to introduce a product that challenges the norms of the snack aisle and offers a nutritious alternative. By entering the grocery shelves, the new protein pretzels will transform how people perceive snacks, showing that indulgence and health can coexist. Whether nestled among traditional snacks or highlighted in a health-focused section, Crisp Power is set to revolutionize snack time, offering a guilt-free, protein-rich choice for those in search of something better.

Away from the hyper-caloric sweet bars and the usual empty-calorie crunchy snacks, Crisp Power heralds a new era in snacking, where taste and health are no longer mutually exclusive to satisfy those cravings for a crunchy snack.

Crisp Power will be rolling out on Amazon in March and at wholesale grocers later this year.

For more information visit crisppower.com

For more news about new specialty food products, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Pagoda Snacks Named ‘Official Egg Roll’ of LCS Spring Split

LCS & PAGODA

Just in time for Lunar New Year and the League Championship Series (LCS) Spring Split, the maker of Pagoda Snacks announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Riot Games — the company behind the leading global esports property League of Legends.

Pagoda Snacks will be featured as the “Official Egg Roll” of LCS and offer fans the perfect game-time snack through special activations, product drops and giveaways throughout the LCS season.

The LCS is the preeminent professional North American esport and currently the fourth most-viewed professional sports league in North America for gamers in the 18-34 years-old age demographic. Pagoda Snacks will be integrated throughout LCS’ 2024-2026 season events connecting LCS fans with the perfect go-to snacks to refuel.

“We know more time in the kitchen means less time to playing and streaming League of LegendsAccording to YouGov, approximately 50 percent of next-gen consumers feel as though their lifestyles do not leave enough time to prepare food,” said Monica Ball, marketing manager for Pagoda Snacks. “That’s where our craveable and convenient lineup of Pagoda Snacks comes to the rescue. From our crispy egg rolls loaded with freshly cut vegetables and authentic seasoning to our Crab Rangoon filled with real crab meat and cream cheese paired with a sweet chili sauce, we offer quick, easy-to-prepare but still delicious snacks for LCS players and fans to refuel and supercharge their gaming sessions.”

“We’re thrilled to have Pagoda Snacks join the LCS as our newest partner and further as the ‘Official Egg Roll’ of the League Championship Series,” said Mark Zimmerman, LCS Commissioner. “There’s no better food to fuel our fan experience than egg rolls and I know LCS fans will be hyped to add Pagoda Snacks to their go-to snack lineup.”

As the “Official Egg Roll” of LCS, Pagoda Snacks will be a part of the LCS broadcasts with a “Let Him Cook” segment that will spotlight the best plays and moments of the day from professional players.

Additional Pagoda Snacks broadcast integration will come with the “Put the Egg Rolls In” Tech Pause, where LCS fans will have the perfect opportunity to fuel up and grab a bite to eat.

Throughout the partnership, fans should keep an eye out for additional Pagoda Snacks activations and touchpoints like exclusive drops and promotions so they can celebrate the season with LCS’ “Official Egg Roll.”

Made with quality ingredients, Pagoda Snacks strive to be the superheroes in every family’s freezer. With golden-brown, crispy, crunchy wrappers, fresh-cut vegetables, tasty filling and quality ingredients, Pagoda Egg Rolls are the perfect snack to crush your cravings. Pagoda Snacks include potstickers, crab rangoon, and cream cheese wontons. The brand’s entire portfolio of products contains no partially hydrogenated oils, no high fructose corn syrup and no added MSG. Pagoda Snacks are made and distributed throughout the U.S. by subsidiaries of Schwan’s Company. For more information, please visit www.PagodaSnacks.com.

League of Legends Esports (LoL Esports) is the fastest growing global sport and the pinnacle of competitive gaming with 9 regional leagues, 93 professional esport teams, and more than 860 players. Accessible around the globe on 35+ TV and digital channels, it is one of the most-watched forms of sports entertainment globally. League of Legends Esports started in 2011 and remains owned and operated by Riot Games, one of the world’s top video game developers. Led by Naz Aletaha, Global Head of LoL Esports, our mission is to build a thriving global sports ecosystem by focusing on growth, engagement, profitability, integrity, and accessibility. From the thrilling regional league competitions that captivate millions of fans across the globe to the trophy lift at Worlds, it all lives within LoL Esports. For more information, please visit LoLEsports.com.

For more news of interest to the snacking industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.