Pistachio Velvet Latte (Starbucks) By @Cinabar

I have a feeling this Starbucks Pistachio Velvet Latte is going to be a very popular drink. When I ordered mine, the barista behind the counter immediately put up a "sold out" sticker for the pistachio drinks. I double-checked, and they confirmed I had snagged the last one—the syrup, which was meant to last their entire campaign, had already run out halfway through. I was just in time!

The drink consists of a hot espresso, white chocolate pistachio syrup, and oat milk, topped with a cold milk foam flavoured with pistachio. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about cold foam on a hot drink, but I’d committed to it, so I went with it.

When it arrived, I loved the pale green swirl peeking through the foam, it looked awesome. My first sip was tepid, which was disappointing, but the flavour was sweet, nutty, and milky. Thankfully, as I drank further down, the temperature improved, and the white chocolate and pistachio notes really shone through. The flavours were well balanced, with a lovely nutty creaminess that complemented the coffee perfectly. The drink was also thicker than a regular latte, giving it a luxurious feel, and I really enjoyed it.

Pistachio is shaping up to be one of the big trend flavours for 2025, so I’m intrigued to see what other products emerge throughout the year.

Cofresh Chilli & Lime Grills [@NLi10]

 We are a spicy crisp household, and we live in an area where Asian food is easy to get all year round so we do like a big bag of Cofresh for £1.

The lemon chilli are a favourite, but here is a new twist - lime!

I mean it's only one ingredient different but it counts, right?

Stick them on bread for a lazy crisp sandwich lunch! Not too spicy for us experts, and frankly I'd have had a little more lime too.  Standard Cofresh goodness and the bag has to not be within arm's length while working else it's done in one sitting.

A welcome addition, but not a stunningly different flavour.

Friars Chocolate Cigars (Amazon) By @SpectreUK

Happy New Year of the Snake. Earlier this year I remembered I've given up smoking for more than twenty-six years. I chain-smoked cigarettes for several years when I was young, and trying to look cool like James Dean or something. I tried every fag on the market, and also every cigar. I also used to have a Cuban Cigar to celebrate Christmas and on my Birthday. My Cuban cigar is still the only smoke I miss. And so Cinabar buys me a chocolate cigar on celebrations instead.

 

There isn't much information on the box about these Friars Chocolate Cigars. Certainly sumptuous in quality milk chocolate, there were three in the box. My first one didn't last all that long, I sucked on it for a while and nibbled the rest. Of course, I started it with the Hannibal Smith quote, "I love it when a plan comes together."

I do love chocolate cigars. They always give my child-like brain something symbolic to enjoy, rather than something that's not particularly good for me, and takes well over an hour to smoke. They're perfect for a celebration, and they always remind me that I did give up smoking, and I never went back.

Kit Kat Cookies and Cream (Asda) by @Cinabar

I spotted this new multipack of Kit Kat Cookies and Cream in the supermarket and thought they looked like the perfect size for an afternoon treat with a coffee.

The packaging proudly highlights that it’s recycled and recyclable, which is fantastic. That said, I do wish our local council would collect soft plastics as part of their recycling programme. They’re quite poor in this area (or should I say rubbish, for the pun?), and they won’t even accept recyclable toothpaste tubes. You have to rely on supermarkets that offer collection points instead.

The new Kit Kat Cookies and Cream bars feature both milk chocolate and creamy white chocolate on top, making them look quite appealing. Flavour-wise, they’re not too far removed from a regular Kit Kat, but with a creamier taste and a stronger biscuit flavour. The texture delivers the usual winning combination of biscuit and chocolate, which I’ve always enjoyed.

At just 105 calories per stick, they’re a light and not overly indulgent snack. Unlike some of the more adventurous flavours you can find in Japan (like wasabi!), this is a gentle new addition to the range. It’s easy to eat and paired perfectly with my coffee.

Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Egg (Petrol Station) By @Cinabar

Filling up the car with petrol often comes with a little treat, it's our way of making the expense feel slightly less painful. Today, while browsing the inevitable trays of Easter goodies near the till, I spotted something new: a Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Egg. Most of the other items were the usual suspects, like Creme Eggs, but this one stood out.

The packaging seemed to be designed to resemble a chick, though the crinkled foil on mine made it look like it might be winking. It was slightly smaller than a Cadbury Creme Egg, but still a decent size.

Once unwrapped, the foil design looked much clearer and more polished, though the egg itself didn't continue the chick theme, which I thought was a missed opportunity. Still, it had a subtle patterned design, which was a nice touch.

Biting into it, I was immediately struck by how thick the chocolate was, properly substantial and satisfying. It took a bit of effort to break into, but it was entirely worth it. The chocolate was sweet, creamy, and plentiful, which was a big win for me.

The filling was just as generous, with a strong and delicious peanut butter flavour that complemented the chocolate perfectly. As a fan of the chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio in Reese's products, I really appreciated the thicker chocolate shell here compared to the usual Reese's Cups.

Overall, this Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Egg was a delightful treat, a heavenly combination of thick, creamy chocolate and bold, flavourful peanut butter. If you're a fan of the pairing, I’d highly recommend giving it a try.

Cauldron Veggie Bakes - Pumpkin & Onion [@NLi10]

 We love vegan food, although my partner loves to add cheese.  As part of the meals we share the core is usually pre-made things like these - so new options are fantastic.  They tend to only say veggie on some boxes so they don't scare people off.

This is 4 lovely little bakes - not quite burger sized, but a lot denser than I'd expected

And they are mostly the real deal - veggies first on the ingredients - feel the nutrients course into your veins

With some tricolour pasta, spinach pile and a little sun-dried tomatoes it's a decent meal.  I mean I could have eaten 3, but with 4 in a pack that's a bit mean.  I also livened this up with garlic & chilli mix on the pasta which was great.

The bakes are really nice, and it's good to have something a little fresher than the frozen bags I gravitate towards.  They crisped up nicely too so I reckon you could get kids to eat a few more unusual veggies with these too.

Hopfather Session IPA (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

I better write a positive review tonight. I have Tortelloni pasta and tomato sauce with peppers and mushrooms, and with baked bread on the side tonight. This Hopfather Session IPA probably doesn't have Mafia connections, but I don't want a 'message' via a horse's head left in my bed.

At 3.9% in volume, Hopfather was created by the Wye Valley Brewery, in Herefordshire. It was brewed with extra pale Maris Otter and Crystal malts, with New World hops such as; Summit, Cascade, Mosiac, Azacca, and Pilot. Phew, that's quite a Tommy-gun peppering of hops in one pint.

On opening the bottle there was a tropical hop aroma, with sweet pale malted barley behind it. On taste this golden coloured India Pale Ale had a luscious tropical fruitiness to begin with, followed by those sweet pale malts into the aftertaste. This beer went very well indeed washing down my pasta meal. Saluti!

Mr Kipling Birthday Cake Tarts (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

Birthday cake is quite the trending flavour at the moment, with the added bonus that you don’t need it to be your birthday to enjoy it. The flavour generally means vanilla paired with something like strawberry or raspberry to replicate jam, along with a good hit of sugar for the icing element. Having a strong sweet tooth and missing mince pies post-Christmas, it’s no surprise I picked up a box of Mr Kipling Birthday Cake Tarts.

 

Each box contains four tarts, featuring pastry, raspberry jam, a layer of vanilla sponge, white icing, and colourful candy sprinkles. They look very appealing, and I enjoyed one alongside a nice afternoon cup of coffee.

These tarts are incredibly sweet, a proper sugary indulgence. If you’re not a fan of sweet treats, these might not be for you. The filling is predominantly icing and vanilla, with just enough raspberry jam to evoke the flavour of birthday cake. The different layers create a lovely texture, with the thick icing and crunchy candy sprinkles on top being particularly enjoyable.

Mr Kipling Birthday Cake Tarts are fun, cheerful, and a delightful treat for an afternoon break. No birthday required, I’d happily buy them again!

Pukka Chicken Balti Pie (not Pork) [@NLi10]

 Tonight we are off to the football, without leaving the house!  At Bromsgrove Sporting back when I went we used to get the Balti pies - and they were hot and satisfying. Pukka has realised we'd quite like to try these at home too.

It's barely spicy so suitable for all the family (except maybe nanna) and doesn't contain pork - but putting it in the title will still cause the bots on X to reply to this with vegan replacement ideas.

Looks like all the other Pukka pies

And the inside is decently meaty and smells great.

Add a few veggies and this is a decent meal to watch live sports, or in our case tea-time quizzes.

Pub Originals Pork Crunch (Asda) By @SpectreUK

I've been a fan of all things Pork Crunch ever since I broke a tooth on Pork Scratchings a few years back. Of course, they're not the same. They don't taste as good, especially when Pork Scratchings are particularly salty, and they don't have the same texture, but they don't have the risk of an expensive visit to the dentist. Oh my, dentists are expensive now.

These Pub Originals Pork Crunch are the best quality pork cuts flash fried for a better crunch. Each packet has around 19g of protein in it, which will help to fix my muscles after my weights session today. I decided to try them with a tuna and Cholula Hot Sauce sandwich.

On opening the packet you can see from the photograph that these Pub Originals Pork Crunch were neat lightly seasoned pork puffs. They smelt like lightly salted fried pork. These Pork Crunch were easy on my teeth with a decent crunch, and were mildly salted. My spicy tuna sandwich dominated my lunch a little, however, I certainly felt pumped full of protein to fix my tired muscles after my daily workout. High in protein and low in calories, I'd certainly have these Pub Originals Pork Crunch again.

Information on the packet; The 27g packet has 491 calories per 100g, with 24.2g of fat, 0.8g of sugar, 4.08g of salt. Please see photograph for the ingredients.

Branston Pickle Topped Pork Pies (Asda) By @Cinabar

I have to admit, we’re rather missing the ‘picky bits’ selection that Asda had before and during Christmas. We sampled lots of the trays of nibbles, from spicy crispy prawns to cocktail sausages. It was a sad day when we realised all the interesting party food had disappeared for another year. So, we decided to have a look at the regular deli section to see what we could find. That’s where I spotted these Branston Pickle Topped Pork Pies and thought we’d give them a try.

The tricky part of this snack is definitely the topping. It looks lovely but makes transporting it home in a bag or car a bit precarious. They looked much neater in-store, but to be fair, the pickle was still on top when we got home. I gave them a little smoothing out before serving.

When I tried one, I absolutely loved the flavour. The pork is firm, with just the right amount of jelly, i.e. not too much. The pastry is savoury and delicious, and the pickle topping is what really sets these pies apart. The combination of flavours worked so well, adding a lovely spicy, fruity kick. I usually enjoy Branston Pickle with cheese, but this has inspired me to pair it with other foods too.

That said, for easier transport, I think they could’ve put the pickle inside the pastry, though perhaps that would’ve made the pies soggy. Either way, we’ll definitely be picking these BBranston Pickle Topped Pork Pies up again!

Spanish Latte (Costa) By @Cinabar

During a long journey, we stopped at a motorway services and popped into Costa for some coffee. Naturally, I went for the current special, Spanish Latte, and then had to ask what it actually was! The lady behind the counter explained it was made with condensed milk flavour syrup. Intrigued, I decided to give it a go.

The coffee looked lovely once prepared, decorated with cocoa sprinkles in wavy lines, a nice touch.

Now, an interesting fact about me: I don’t put sugar in coffee. I do enjoy flavoured syrups when I’m at a coffee shop, though. I’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth and love caramel, hazelnut, most of them, really. But 99% of the coffee I drink isn’t sweetened, and I never add regular sugar.

Taking my first sip, I noticed the coffee’s sweetness and a slightly creamier texture than usual. The first half of the drink was alright, a sweet, creamy coffee. However, it was a bit nondescript. I’d been hoping for a custard or vanilla-like flavour, but that might have been wishful thinking.

As I drank more, the sweetness became overwhelming. Despite my sweet tooth, it felt cloying, like someone had added cream and sugar to my coffee, not how I typically drink it. Looking back, I realise the syrup had likely settled at the bottom of the cup, and stirring it might have made the flavour more consistent. Still, this isn’t a drink I’d order again.

If you like cream and sugar in your coffee, it’s probably the perfect indulgence. Personally, I’d rather stick to hazelnut syrup any day.

Jaffa Cake - JoNuts - Jaffa Doughnuts Are Back! [@NLi10]

 4 years ago - at the height of the CroNut Craze the bods at Jaffa HQ decided to release their own version.

It's a bigg jaffa cake - or a doughnut with Jaffa inside and chocolate on the top.

And they come individually wrapped so they stay fresh.

The chocolate could be darker and thicker for my liking

And the Jaffa could be thicker - or more like a jelly - and have bits of peel in it like marmalade.

But - as it stands - instead of a luxury must have they have created a decent enough elevensies snack. And while one isn't quite satisfying enough for me, I suspect that these are more designed for a lunchbox.

Worth a try - especially if you didn't sample them on their first visit.

Tiny Rebel Hadouken IPA Beer (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

Time for a monster movie and a curry takeaway. Another flavoursome beer is required to wash down my favourite Lamb Rogan Josh with chips. What better beer to have with huge monsters running around thumping each other on the TV than an "Amplified" one? I just have to taste it, to find out what that means.

This 6.2% in volume Hadouken is an Amplified IPA brewed by Tiny Rebel. Hadouken is a special wave attack in Capcom's Street Fighter video game series. I played it a little many years ago, but I'm one of those button bashers rather than someone who takes time to learn all the special moves of a character. I'm not that great at beat-em-up games, but I am the reigning champion in this house for using dance mats whilst playing Tekkan. Anyway, the internet reminds me that Hadouken is a surging punch that sends a wave of energy towards an opponent. The Hadouken is also known as the "wave motion fist" or "fist of surge".

Pale, Wheat and Cara malts were used in the brewing, as well as Simcoe and ID7 hops, all with TR House yeast. On opening this hazy Hadouken Amplified India Pale Ale, there was notes of citrus and tropical fruits, such as mango. There was also pine, with wheatiness and pale malts at the back of the aroma. The mango should go very well with my curry if it is involved in the flavour.

On taste this Hadouken Amplified India Pale Ale packed a bitter punch of citrus and warming spiciness. There was a wheatiness just before the sweet pale malts into the aftertaste. I adore spicy ales, so this was right up my street. Unlike me button bashing whilst playing the old Street Fighter game itself. Cheers!

Irn-Bru 1901 Original Flavour (Ocado) By @Cinabar

Irn-Bru is famously Scotland’s favourite soft drink, and one of my colleagues who lives in Edinburgh always has a can on her desk during our Teams calls, which feels like definitive proof. When I was a child, they advertised it as being “made in Scotland, from girders” a slogan you’d think might have put us off, but it didn’t in the slightest.

In 2018, the recipe for Irn-Bru was changed, with sugar-free variants becoming more common. However, this bottle of Irn-Bru 1901 takes us back to the original recipe. Made with sugar and packaged in a glass bottle; which, as we all know, somehow makes soft drinks taste better (through a scientific mechanism I don’t quite understand), it promises a nostalgic experience.

I poured myself a glass and was pleased to see the bright, familiar colour, which hasn’t changed. There was plenty of fizz too, which I appreciated, I do enjoy fizzy drinks, or “pop” as we call them here in the Midlands.

Taking a sip, I found the flavour as delightful as ever. Irn-Bru is notoriously hard to describe to those who’ve never tried it. It’s sweet, with a taste that’s somewhere between bubblegum and spiced orange. It’s such a distinctive flavour that words don’t quite do it justice, if you haven’t tried it, you really must.

This 1901 version offers a softer flavour than the sugar-free editions we’re now used to. It’s smooth, sweet without being sharp, and utterly nostalgic. I thoroughly enjoyed the classic taste and would gladly have it again. That said, it would be an occasional treat due to the sugar content, but it’s certainly one I’d look forward to.

With Burn’s Night approaching, I think I’ll need to get another bottle of Irn-Bru 1901 sooner rather than later.

Sainsbury's in-store Patisserie - Lemon Tart [@NLi10]

 Supermarkets in the UK have had in store bakeries for ages now - but some are upgrading and doing actual patisserie sections - inspired by the similar ones in euro-supermarkets.  So how do they stack up?

The range looks good - and there are more fragile ones over to the right - but I wanted something robust to share with nanna.

And I chose a little lemon tart - risking that she isn't one for acidy flavours.

Looks the part and is still crisp

And is a slim enough portion that nanna risked a quarter and enjoyed it!

While not quite France quality, this was a decently light snack with deep flavours and a lovely pastry case.  Nothing too exotic, but better than you'd get on the non-fresh shelves for sure.

So - a win - maybe I'll risk something flakier and creamier next time.

Nespresso for Change Please Coffee (Nespresso) By @SpectreUK

I don't often write about coffee. I do love a black coffee, especially in the afternoon after lunch. I find coffee first thing in the morning overpowers everything I eat for the rest of the daytime. So, generally I drink copious amounts of tea while I workout.

I don't have any time for instant coffee (pun intended). I prefer my coffee made from a machine. Nespresso for Change Please is a coffee with a good purpose. Change Please is a social enterprise founded in London in 2015. It is focused on changing the lives of homeless people through job opportunities, and this will be by providing them barista training and qualifications, to give them a shot at building a new life.

Nespresso gave this Change Please an Intensity of 5/10. I like my coffee smooth, sweet and strong. The reviews state this coffee has sweet notes of toasted cereals, biscuity flavours and a hint of nuts. It certainly had a toasted nutty biscuity aroma whilst making it in my Spectre mug.

On taste this coffee definitely had body to it. It was like a meal on its own. Unlike many coffees on the market that just taste of coffee in varying degrees of strength, Change Please had a toasted cereal flavour to begin with, followed by a sweet biscuit taste and ending with a hint of nuttiness into the aftertaste. I was impressed. I usually concentrate on caramel flavoured Nespressos, but I would have this again.

Waf-Fulls Choc Hazelnut (Asda) By @Cinabar

I may have gone to the supermarket intending to buy bread, but I got a little sidetracked by the sweet bakery section across the aisle. That’s how this pack of Waf-Fulls Choc Hazelnut ended up in my basket. (Don’t worry—I remembered to grab the bread too!)

This snack features an individual waffle, ready to eat straight from the pack—no need for a microwave or toaster, which I appreciated when I looked into it at home.

Inside the packaging, you’ll find two oblong waffle pieces sandwiched together with a generous layer of chocolate hazelnut spread. It looked so inviting, with some of the spread oozing slightly at the edges, a promising start!

When I took a bite, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much chocolate hazelnut spread there was. They certainly lived up to their name, Waf-Fulls. The waffle itself was soft yet satisfyingly sturdy, making for a filling snack. Combined with the rich, indulgent flavour of the chocolate hazelnut spread, it was a winning combination.

I’d go so far as to say this was a better treat than a standard chocolate bar, something a bit different, and definitely a step up. It’s a resounding thumbs up from me!

Fox's The Snowman and the Snowdog Gingerbread Minis (Iceland) By @Cinabar

While rummaging through the cupboards for post-Christmas snacks, I was delighted to discover Fox's The Snowman and the Snowdog Gingerbread Minis. These little biscuits are the perfect companion to a hot chocolate on a chilly afternoon. After all, biscuits and hot drinks are a match made in heaven, especially for someone like me who loves a good dunk!

Opening the box, I was pleased to find a generous amount of mini gingerbread men inside. However, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of gingerbread dogs, which the product’s name had led me to expect. It seems the title is more about referencing the classic film than reflecting the contents, which are exclusively gingerbread men.

I tried one and was impressed by its satisfying snap, these are firm biscuits, not the soft and chewy kind. The flavour struck a lovely balance: sweet enough to be enjoyable, with a gentle warmth from the ginger that doesn’t overwhelm. They’re subtly spiced and wonderfully moreish. I quickly polished off three before remembering I was meant to share them!

V60 Coffee Dripper via Pact Coffee [@NLi10]

 My coffee advent calendar from Pact came with a V60 coffee dripper, which I popped on the shelf and ignored.  I had a big coffee pot dripper and used that instead for December. Now I have lots of the calendar left and wanted to see whether the dripper would mean I could take them to work.

It’s basically a big plastic cup - with a hole in the bottom -and ridges to make sure that the filter paper doesn’t stick.

Mr tickle was the perfect size for coffee, but if you fill the funnel you get coffee all over the counter. Whoops.

The Pact coffee is great quality, but I much preferred the lightly roasted varieties - they made the house sing with magical smells. The dark roasts were nice, but not for me.

There’s a lot of adjectives for ‘strong coffee’ here, but this one was at least nicely rich.

But - with a little Gu ramekin for it to sit in afterwards- this does produce a couple of nice cups of coffee in a way that would be easy enough in the office.

Essentially you put the ground coffee in the top and pour circles of hot water into the top which gradually drips through into the cup.