Strawberry Candyfloss Frappé (McDonald’s) By @Cinabar

Oh my word, how cute is this McDonald’s Strawberry Candyfloss Frappé? I spotted it advertised in a service station and realised this was exactly the drink I needed as a little pick-me-up. When it arrived, it had an almost glitter-like topping, which sadly doesn’t show too well in the photo, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. Full marks for cuteness!

I took a sip and was surprised to find it tasted like I was drinking a strawberry thick shake. Weird. It was lovely and sweet and fruity, but there was no obvious candy floss flavour, and it tasted suspiciously similar to their normal strawberry shake.

I decided to try the topping, and that’s where the candy floss flavour was hiding. The topping is thick and sugary, with that classic candy floss taste, but in a texture that reminded me a little of Angel Delight. It was delicious and definitely added the fun element I was expecting from the drink. 

Overall, it was exactly the pick-me-up I needed. Spectre had a black coffee. Each to their own!

Chaiiwala on the Road - Indian Streetfood Now In Service Stations?! [@NLi10]

 We have a Chaiiwala, it's at the top of the big hill by my house which prevents me from being a regular, but I have the app and I'm willing to make trips.  On the way back from Saltaire (pretty, near Bradford) we stopped at a fairly ordinary Roadchef services that's apparently at Sandbach.

It's always a disappointment to stop somewhere that doesn't have our favourite foods, or a farm shop.  So - imagine my glee when I see this little shed tacked on the outside.  So new that it's not on the google map, or the Chaiiwala app (no points!!) because it literally opened yesterday.  It's the second one in the country, apparently there is one at Watford Gap?

Being short on time and just wanting something small we had a samosa each - which is actually a first for me.  The wraps & bowls usually get all my attention.  At £1.75 a samosa it feels expensive if you are up Cape Hill, but at the motorway thats a steal.

Very crispy, kept warm in the heater thing.  No dip offered, but I'm very white so it wouldn't be expected that I'd know the wonders of the brown dip.

And it's fairly standard generous samosa inside.  Couldn't see the whole spices like the ones I like from the highstreet, but I could taste all the right things.  A few whole peas hiding at the bottom, good crust and big enough that you'd not want two unless it was a meal.

We had a car full of drinks and the father-in-law was paying so I didn't get us a round of karak chaii but maybe I should have just got a large one to share.

Overall - I'm not going to stop having the paratha wraps and the chaat bowls, but it's amazing to be able to get actual Indian streetfood at a dodgy services.  The plan is to roll these out UK wide, so I'm overjoyed.  Lots of similarly fanatical people to me were taking pictures to send to people who wouldn't believe that their choices are no longer Greggs or McD. 

McVitie’s Digestives Jaffa Cakes (Ocado) By @SpectreUK

This may mess with your minds. In the debate of whether Jaffa Cakes are biscuits or cakes, McVitie’s have bought out these Jaffa Cake Digestive Biscuits. I have been assured that no Jaffa Cakes were hurt during the making of these Digestive Biscuits.

These McVitie’s Digestives Jaffa Cakes actually smell like Jaffa Cakes. There is a layer of Jaffa orange like sticky caramel in between the Digestive Biscuit and chocolate topping. They taste like Chocolate Digestive Biscuits, and then that familiar moreish Jaffa orange goodness sets in at the back of the flavour. Definitely yum.

Information on the packet; Per biscuit is 80 calories, with 3.6g of fat, 5.2g of sugar, and 0.14g of salt. Please see photograph for the ingredients.

Jimmy’s Ice Coffee Cookie Butter (Asda) By @Cinabar

So, let’s start with the fact that it says butter, not batter. I completely assumed batter when I bought it and expected something more like cookie dough (cookie batter). It is actually cookie butter, which I think refers to those biscuit-flavoured spreads you put on toast, often inspired by flavours like cookies.

Okay, before I confuse myself any further, probably time to open the can and give it a try.

The first sip gave a really creamy coffee impression with plenty of sweetness. It tasted lush. As I drank a little more, I could pick up on the biscuity notes, almost like a buttery flavour (even though those spreads don’t always actually contain butter). I don’t think I would ever have been able to drink this and guess it was specifically cookie butter (or batter, for that matter), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.

It was a sweet, creamy coffee and a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. The flavour wasn’t the most defined, especially given such a specific flavour description, but it was still a tasty iced coffee that I would happily have again.

Pips X Attic Brew Co Fermented Hot Sauce [@NLi10]

 I love supporting local businesses, especially when it's food and drink.  We went to the 'Night Market' in Edgbaston (which is only about 20 stalls at this time of year) and it was mostly art - but thankfully Pips Hot Sauces had a stall and I was running low.

We also love Attic Brewery and frequently get their cans for home.  I had not seen this combo, but it seemed perfect - if not a little on the red side.

I'm a brave boy so I turned down the trial cracker and just got a bottle.  I'm more of a Nandos medium, and I'd say this is just a shade above a 'hot'.

I'm not sure where the X comes into it, but I suspect that she's using one of their vats to brew up some wickedness.  I wonder if the beer they put in there after has a kick to it.  Be fun to find out.

We had it initially with an all veggie meal - which really doesn't disperse the spiciness well.  That said - it gives you a good idea of the heat and the flavours and I like it!

I reckon I could blend it into some cream or butter and make a wicked Buffalo style dipping sauce, and I already have tried it as a spicy mayo and that's perfect.

Once I've got through this I'm sure there will be plenty more to replace it with even if this may only be a limited run.

pips website is here but if yr local then Red Brick Market and other similar places have them

Attic brew  is here, but again - if yr local just go over and drink in front of the tanks. Its more fun.