14 June 2025

PULPT Flare Cider (Tesco) By @SpectreUK

PULPT Flare Cider


It's rare I write about cider. I have a pork belly roast tonight with crackling on top. Cider goes best with pork, so I have opted for this PULPT Flare - Cider without compromise.

At 4.6% in volume, the bottle states that this is a balanced and easy going cider. PULPT say Flare is not just any run of the mill cider. I hope they're right. This is not just any run of the mill dinner. Pork belly roast is one of my favourite meals, and I like my cider sweet, and definitely not too dry.

On opening the bottle there was a sweet apple cider aroma. Flare is a fizzy cider, not too fizzy, just an excitable buzz. On first taste Flare is sweet and mildly alcoholic. This cider is finely balanced with a touch of dryness into the aftertaste.

Flare went perfectly washing down my lovely pork belly meal, and I had lots of roast potatoes, veg, apple sauce and English Mustard on the side. Cheers.

13 June 2025

Nescafe Classic Unsweetened Espresso Coffee Concentrate (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

Nescafe Classic Unsweetened Espresso Coffee Concentrate

As it was nice and sunny today, I decided I wanted to try a new cold drink. I remembered that I had picked up a bottle of Nescafe Classic Unsweetened Espresso Coffee Concentrate last time I was at the supermarket. I thought it might be useful for baking, but mostly it says 'for easy iced coffee' and that was exactly what I wanted today.

I checked the bottle, and it said to pour a 'shot 30ml' over 150ml of milk. My glass isn't huge but it almost holds a full can of pop, so I figured I needed to double everything. I measured 60ml using tablespoons, which is four, into the drink. It was only then I realised this precision and obsession with numbers is definitely a side effect of me being on the spectrum, and that most other people would have just guessed. You should try spending a day in my head.

Anyway, I gave the drink a stir and a taste, and it was lovely. There is no sweetness (there is a sweetened version available if you prefer) but this drink is all about the rich coffee. It was a smooth, creamy drink with lots of coffee flavour and it was perfect as a cooling treat on a warm day.

Next time, I will definitely add some ice and not worry so much about the measurements. I’ll just add a little until the colour looks right.

Nescafe Classic Unsweetened Espresso Coffee Concentrate


12 June 2025

Rosa's Cafe Wolverhampton - Birthplace Of the Masala Bubble Waffle [@NLi10]

 When we want a smaller meal after work there are a couple of cafe's we can go to  - including Rosa's Cafe

My friend had the chicken masala bubble waffle, and I had Chaat with Batura.



Both were great, but we've not seen masala bubble waffles anywhere else so we have to keep coming back for those at least!


As a bonus - here's a rhubarb crème Brulé that I had in a gastro pub called The Angel in Pershore.  This was also home made and amazing.



11 June 2025

Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon Flavour (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon Flavour


I haven't seen a new flavour of Hula Hoops for a long time. I love KP Snacks BBQ Hula Hoops flavour, and their regular flavours such as Ready Salted, Salt & Vinegar and also Cheese & Onion. There are quite a few Smoky Bacon flavoured crisps out there, so are these Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon Flavour going to be a contender in an already smoky bacon flavour full market?

On opening the packet there was a sweet and smoky bacon aroma from the Hula Hoops inside. On first crunchy taste these slightly orange coloured Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon Flavour crisps had a lip smacking sweet and slightly spicy, smoky bacon flavour. Very moreish indeed, I certainly liked these new Hula Hoops flavour and would definitely have them in again.

Information on the packet: The 24g bag contained 119 calories, with 5.8g of fat, less than 0.5g of sugars, and 0.36g of salt. Please see photograph for the ingredients.

Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon Flavour

10 June 2025

Cadbury Twirl White Dipped (Texaco) By @cinabar

Cadbury Twirl White Dipped


Years ago, I think it was the 2000s, an iconic chocolate bar appeared for a short time: the Snow Flake. It was a white chocolate flake, dipped in milk chocolate to hold it together. I remember having an Easter egg that came with one of those bars and absolutely loving it. There hasn’t been anything similar, until now.

Here we have Twirl White Dipped. This time, it’s the other way round: the flake inside is milk chocolate and the coating is white chocolate. I was still really excited to give it a try. I spotted it at our local petrol station, and as is tradition when we top up the fuel, we buy a chocolate treat, so this was absolutely perfect.

Once home, I opened the wrapper and found two white chocolate-coated bars. Inside, the flakes were the familiar milk chocolate. I gave it a try and loved the flavour. The usual Cadbury chocolate shone through, but the white coating made it creamier and even sweeter. It was a lovely combination. I have a sweet tooth, so I enjoyed every bite.

The only downside is that it’s labelled as a Limited Edition, which is such a shame. I can see this becoming legendary, just like the Snow Flake did. Let’s hope it stays around a bit longer.

Cadbury Twirl White Dipped