Welchs PB&J Snacks Crunchy

Cause who doesn't love PB&J?

The Attraction

I was at a local discount retailer (ahem, 99 cent store, ahem) when I spotted these on line waiting to pay for my aluminum foil. I've been wanting to review snacks from a discount retailer for awhile to see if they would be any good. Although I really wanted to review an unknown brand, I thought this PB&J concept was too interesting to pass up.

The Review:
I take this bag of potential snack heaven home and open it. As quickly as I open it, the smell of peanut butter (pb) fills the air. "This could be good. Real good." I think to myself. I take a ball out and take a look at them. They have the appearance of a wall of pb, except for some spots of lighter color in them. That must be where the crunchy lives!

Looks almost like a Combos, but in ball form

I take hold of ball and bite. Surprisingly the ball of pb yields to my bite and reveals the "jelly" center. It was very different from my expectation. There was no "crunch" in my bite as the package had advertised. The pb outer was more like a waxy shell. As for the jelly center, it was just a grape flavored version of one of their fruit or "jelly" snacks.

In my mind, I was thinking a harder or crunchy pb shell and a jelly center that was more like a fluid or at least more jelly-like opposed to a purposed fruit snack. Either of those characteristics would have been a favorable element, but Welsh's took it a whole different direction.....and not a good direction.

"Oh...that was it?"

The Sweet:
I like the idea...

The Bitter:
...but the execution? Where's the "crunchy"?

Conclusion:
I really would like a portable snack that could capture the essence of PB&J. Although Welch's put forth a decent attempt, I think it ultimately misses the mark. Part of the joy of PB&J for me is the crunch of the savory peanut butter juxtaposed against the sweet moisture of the jelly. There was no crunch to be had and no moisture of  jelly in here. It looks like it's back to the good ole reliable between two slices of bread until snack makers get it right.

Video of the Week 
I love Taco Bell. Maybe more than a man that's trying to maintain his weight should. As much as I love them, it never occurred to me to buy a bunch of their products and reconstruct it to make a Taco Bell Lasagna like this gentleman did. I wish I could say that I'm totally grossed out. (psst...I'm not)

 "How can I get more calories into my body as quickly as possible?
Oh wait, I have an idea!"

2015 Snack Year Standouts

What do you mean this looks like clipart?

Before we start a new year in snacking, it's only appropriate that we take a look back into this past year's snacking standouts.

Let's get to it!

Savory Category

3. Cheez-It Hot and Spicy

"If I had one wish, I would wish for world peace"

I had several variations of Cheez-Its this year like their Pepper-Jack flavor and their Crunch'd line offerings, but it was their Hot and Spicy flavor that set high marks this year. With a great combination of savory and spicy goodness, it was hard to put the box down. Read more about it here.

2. Trader Joe's Baconesque White Cheddar Popcorn

"It's an honor just to be nominated"

A common theme for many savory snacks this year was the incorporation of "meat" flavors into their products (see Kettle Chips Maple Bacon and Lay's Gyro flavored potato chips). One such product that did a better job than others was this Trader Joe's popcorn release. Though it didn't quite hit the bacon flavor home run, it hit a humdinger in the flavor department. Read more here.

1. Calbee Hot and Spicy Potato Chips

"I'd like to thank the Academy"

Although Calbee has been getting lots of attention recently because of their Honey-Butter products (both solo and collaboratively with Haitai), it's this staple that I feel really put them on the map. I know these chips have been around for awhile now, but have a taste you'll be able to figure out why. Read my review here.

Sweet Category

3. Riska Sittori Ichigo

"Please spell my name correctly on my trophy"

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up these, but I received quite a surprise when I took my first bite. Even with it's charmingly artificial strawberry flavor that all snacks seem to have when they decide to go the ' berry route, (like this) it's fun, interesting texture along with their odd flavor delivery system made quite the impression. Read the details here.

2. Nuggle

"Only 1st Runner Up!?"

My introduction to this chocolate candy bar was like a beginning to a great pop song; it was just an ordinary day. I wasn't looking for anything particular. Our paths crossed and I haven't stopped thinking about her ever since. In addition to having a great name, Nuggle has enough nuts to make Howard Stern look meek. This snack may even borderline on being semi-healthy (at least I tell myself that) Don't believe it? Check it out.

1. Oreo Thins

"Gimme my damn award!"

Oreos are far from a being new thing, but this year they did something so amazing, I don't think even they realized how big of a difference it made. Simply by streamlining their signature cookie, it raised the bar on an already iconic product. Folks, first there was bread and then there was sliced bread. In my mind, that's almost how big of  change this was. Read my thoughts further here.

Video of the Week

When I hear the name Disney, several things come to mind; Mickey, animation and more recently, Star Wars. However, after seeing this video, those terms might be replaced with, Arnold, killer robots and Cyberdyne.

See you in 20 years,
when I come back from the future to kill you