Pistachio Big Daddy Bites (M&S) By @cinabar

I spotted these Pistachio Big Daddy Bites chocolates in a service station branch of M&S, which always cheers me up during a long journey. We didn’t eat them in the car though, we saved them for when we got home. I just love browsing M&S, especially since our town centre branch closed. We also managed to find some crisps that a recent blog commenter recommended, so it was a double win.

These bites are based on the big version of the Pistachio bar, which I thought was called Big Daddy because it was released around Father’s Day. Or perhaps it was simply because it was, well, big. Either way, these are considerably smaller but have kept the Big Daddy name, so who knows!

More importantly, what are they like?

They are chunky individual chocolates, filled with a pistachio filling and topped with caramel. I gave one a try and what a chocolatey, nutty triumph it is. The pistachio element is lovely and strong, almost like eating a bag of salted pistachios. There is a sweet creaminess from the white chocolate, followed by a layer of rich caramel and sweet milk chocolate.

They have just about perfected that sweet and salty combination, with the strong pistachio flavour making these wonderfully moreish. I genuinely loved them, and now I really want to try the proper Big Daddy bar too!

Mr. Pretzels now has Pistachio sauce [@NLi10]

We were in town to go see the new minions movie and my partner left me unsupervised by the pretzels.  The Auntie Anne shop has been gone for years, but Mr Pretzels is just the right size to possibly be one of the longest running shops in the Birmingham Bullring now.

And now they have Pistachio sauce.  Yes - I have a jar of the stuff at home, but this is a nice treat.

They have a multitude of more meal-like pretzels and toppings, but the bites are easier to share even if it's a couple of pounds more expensive at £6.50

 

And while it looks like a horrible sticky mess...

And I guess it is a bit much, but as they all stick together then you can just pull bites off and eat them while watching.

While they are still hot when you get them it's a bit harder to eat, but very tasty.  The pretzels are always decent quality here, and the sauce is luxury enough that it almost cools into a sold so is easy to get off your hands again.

Aero Pistachio (Tesco) By @Cinabar

Pistachio is still absolutely everywhere at the moment, so it was only a matter of time before Aero joined in with the trend. Their latest big bar flavour is this new Aero Pistachio, which I picked up in Tesco. The wrapper is a muted green shade rather than the loud bright green used for mint, and there is also a competition on pack for The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Inside, the bar has Aero’s classic bubbly texture with a milk chocolate shell surrounding a pistachio flavoured aerated centre. The filling itself is also green, again a subtler shade. 

Texture-wise, this is exactly what you would expect from an Aero bar. The bubbles make it light, chunky and easy to bite into, while the chocolate melts away quickly. I have always liked the texture of Aero and this version works particularly well because the pistachio flavour comes across as soft and creamy rather than overly nutty.

Taste-wise, it is pleasant and surprisingly balanced. Personally, I still think peanut or hazelnut are stronger pairings with chocolate overall, but the pistachio here has a creamy richness that works nicely with the milk chocolate. It feels quite smooth and mellow rather than intensely nutty.

Overall, this is a tasty addition to the Aero range and definitely worth trying if you are fully on board with the pistachio craze. It may not convert pistachio sceptics, but for fans of the flavour trend it is an enjoyable chocolate bar with a lovely light texture.

£20 Waitrose Easter Egg - The Cracking Pistachio [@NLi10]

 I saw this online way before Easter and thought - well we are having that one!  And we happened to be in Waitrose that same week and picked it up.  Then I saw it in the Motorway services Waitrose for £20 - I think we paid £15 which is frankly still a lot.  But people do like the reviews - so we went ahead with it - but unfortunately we decided to eat all the cheap eggs first so have only just cracked this open.

So - what is it?

Stealthy white chocolate outer, but with caramel in it - and the inner claims to just be pistachio chocolate.

It comes in a safety sphere, and looks like something from the film Alien

The chocolate is thick - and it costs as much as two eggs because it really is just two eggs.

The outer layer is like a light Caramac.  Not too sickly like standard white chocolate, and very sophisticated.

The inner is the main event - bright green and full of nuts.  This isn’t hopping on the Dubai trend so much as showing why most of those bars are a bit naff.  This is the quality stuff.

I’ve not looked online to see if these ended up in the sales like we’d usually risk for the Christmas range (they always over order locally - what a shame) but even if they are only reduced to £10 this feels like a steal.  Perfect for parents and partners alike - especially as both are likely to be generous and give you a bite.

Grisbi - Pistachio - Cody's Italian Diner, Bearwood [@NLi10]

 Our local Italian Café has a little shop at the back full of authentic Italian treats - and I picked up these 'Pistacchio' biscuits.

"the original crunchy shortcrust pastry filled with velvety crème"

"for those who love sophisticated contrasts at any time of day"

And boy are they luxurious.  At essentially 50p a biscuit you'd hope so!

Still liquid inside, but with a bizarre crunch effect I've never really experienced before - it's like the inner is inside one giant smartie shell and so it crunches ever so slightly like you are eating something forbidden.  And it's wonderful.

Every part tastes authentic and fresh, despite sitting in a box on a shelf for a while.  This is biscuit making as an artform.

I have to try other flavours of these, but with Easter stocks filling the house there is no rush.  Plus there are rumours that Cody's family are taking over the old café a few doors down and opening a small cover Italian restaurant which frankly will be the best thing ever,

Pistachio Hot Chocolate (Whittard) By @Cinabar

I did not actually buy the Pistachio White Hot Chocolate as a full tub. I ordered the Mince Pie Hot Chocolate along with some tea, and this sachet arrived as a free sample with my order. No complaints there, because pistachio is absolutely having its moment right now, largely thanks to the Dubai chocolate craze, so it makes complete sense that Whittard have leaned into that trend.

The drink is made with milk, and I was impressed with how easily it mixed. It stirred smoothly with no lumps at all, which is always a good sign with powdered hot chocolates. Once made, it had a pale green colour that felt quite indulgent and different from the usual brown mugs of hot chocolate, making it feel a little more special.

Flavour wise, this is a sweet and creamy drink with a fairly mild pistachio taste. It is definitely recognisable as pistachio, but it is not overpowering or bitter. Instead, it leans into a soft, nutty creaminess that makes it very soothing to drink. The texture is rich and velvety, which gives it that comforting, premium feel Whittard usually do so well.

I can see this being a big hit with fans of pistachio and anyone who has been swept up in the Dubai chocolate trend. Personally, while I enjoyed it, I am glad I chose the Mince Pie Hot Chocolate as my main purchase. At this time of year, I am far more drawn to festive flavours and warming spices. That said, this is a lovely option, and I would happily drink it again, especially outside the Christmas season.

Ritter Sport Pistachio - finally a decent 'Dubai Chocolate' [@NLi10]

 We love pistachios.   

We love Baklava - and the bird nest stuff is amazing.  

Dubai Chocolate combines the two, is confusingly expensive, and always disappointing - until now.

You see the one thing they never get right is that the chocolate still has to be the star.  So finally - the big brands are repackaging their Pistachio varieties and getting them into our hands for much cheaper.

I first fell in love with Ritter Sport in the 90s on trips to Germany.  There always seemed to be a new one to try and the variations all made sense.

The packaging is even fun to open properly, and it keeps everything where it belongs.  The ingredients are all here - except the lovely birds nest - but I have a shop that makes that fresh on my high-street so it's all good.

*snap* Luna approves of the smells here.

Like golden-era Cadbury's the chunks are a nice portion, always contain the novelty and the mix is always the same as there is only one size (Snickers - take note).

A lovely fragrant nutty undertone to classic Ritter Sport chocolate.

Lindt have nudged their Pistachio balls (which have been available for 5 years plus) into the limelight too - I wonder who else will join in.  First to make a legitimate chocolate version with the birds nest built in for non-import prices (and actually containing cocoa at decent rates) will win the market for sure!

 

Limited Edition Ritter Sport - Pistachio (Asda) By @Cinabar

Pistachio seems to be having a bit of a moment, it’s the flavour of the year, riding the wave of that pistachio-obsessed Dubai trend. I’ve tried a few pistachio-inspired treats recently, and while the Angel Hair chocolate wasn’t quite for me, I’m still a firm believer that nuts and chocolate are usually a winning combo.

This Ritter Sport Pistachio bar feels like a much simpler offering, and all the better for it. I snapped off a strip, and could immediately see it was generously packed with chopped pistachios.

The milk chocolate is smooth, sweet, and has that lovely creamy cocoa taste Ritter Sport does so well. What really makes this bar stand out, though, is the texture, loads of crunchy nut pieces throughout and the clever balance of flavours. There’s a hint of salt with the nuts, adding a subtle savoury edge that really makes the sweetness pop.

Honestly, I might finally be warming to the pistachio craze. This bar was absolutely delicious, satisfying, snackable, and one I’ll be picking up again before it vanishes off the shelves.

VIELE Angel Hair Strawberry Flavour Chocolate (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

The Morrisons website now features a label on some items that reads ‘As Seen On Social’, and that’s exactly what caught my eye with this: VIELE Angel Hair Strawberry Flavour Chocolate. Pistachio is having a moment right now and has become a major trend, largely thanks to the popularity of Dubai chocolate on social media. We’ve tried the odd product, but honestly, much of it is so expensive that it can be off-putting. Even this small bar of VIELE Angel Hair cost £5, which is more than some high-end bars.

When it arrived, I took a proper look at the packaging and ingredients. Inside is a pistachio cream, candy floss (aka cotton candy), and a Milky Cocolin coating. I had to look that last one up, it’s a type of chocolate made with other fats instead of or with cocoa butter. Odd, and not something I’ve come across before.

The bar was packaged in a cardboard pull-out tray and wrapped, though not sealed, in gold foil. It smelled strongly of strawberry and was thick and chunky, with a hint of green showing through. Although the pieces were marked out, it looked tricky to break, so I gave in and used a knife. The bar is hairy inside, with visible strands of candy floss poking out.

I gave it a try, and I genuinely don’t know how to describe what I tasted. There was strawberry, then a strange aftertaste, presumably pistachio, with salt, but also something woody, slightly sweet, and almost menthol-like. It reminded me a bit of pine. Apart from making it difficult to cut, the candy floss was too soft to affect the texture. I’m sorry, but I just didn’t get it. The only reason I went back for another bite was to try and figure out why it tasted so weird.

Green on Toast? I Siciliani Pistachio Crunchy Cream [@NLi10]

 My sister got me some Pistachio themed birthday presents - including this green spread!

As it's a variation on nut butter (I have almond and others at home to go with peanut butter) I figured I'd pop it on some muffins

The fact they are calling it a nut cream instead of butter should have been a give away! This is for spreading on cakes and deserts.

It does look interesting... but the smell is fantastic - this would be great on baklava

And yeah - this would be perfect on a chocolate muffin, but a bread muffin is the wrong place to put it.

It worked though - a bit fragrant, and a strange texture when warmed, but really tasty and certainly a novel experience.

 

Influencer Bait at Home! Tesco Finest Pistachio & Raspberry Tarts [@NLi10]

 Sometimes you know food is meant to be admired and photographed rather than eaten - like this beautiful Tesco Finest Pistachio & Raspberry Tart.

Rather than being in a cafe and stretching towards the £5 mark - these are in Tesco's!

...and £2.66 in the last minute buys section. What a result!

While the packaging and design is luxury there is actually a lot going on here too - and there are layers within the tart.  I'd have sprinkled some pistachio on top too, but as it stands this is an awesome flavour punch.  Very reminiscent of the Patisserie Valerie high-st high-end café chain.

It truly is café grade at home, and made a lovely change from the basic snacks and puddings.  As a treat mind - I don't think you could sit and eat through one a day.

I look forwards to seeing what else is in the summer treats range.

FOREVA Dubai Style Pistachio Chocolate [@NLi10]

 Dubai style chocolate is all the rage.  Which is unusual, as it's essentially chocolate coated Baklava 

And it's not usually made in DubVegas but imported - this one from Turkey.

Having the German on the pack inspires confidence - they are selling chocolate to the experts so clearly it's the good stuff

So far - so luxurious.  Clearly designed to survive travel and heat.

And like Dubai itself it's not actually as green as you'd expect.  This is surely just a normal chocolate bar!

All the green is on the inside!  

This is crispy 'bombay mix' style noodles - infused with pistachio and covered in remarkable Lindt-like chocolate.

And it works really well.  It's far too sweet, which I think is the intention, and we shared this one cube on a 30 degree day and were satisfied.

I've put the rest in the fridge to see if that makes the flavours pop a little more, but as it stands it's a very nice luxurious treat.

I'd probably still rather walk to my fresh Baklava shop, but if you don't have access to those on your high-street then this works too. 

Dubai Chocolate (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

There’s a massive social media buzz around Dubai Chocolate at the moment. I’ve been tempted to jump on the hype for a while now, but whenever I looked, it was either sold out or going for £12 a bar, and I couldn’t bring myself to pay that, no matter how much I love nuts and chocolate.

Then I spotted this smaller version in Morrisons for just £1.50, so it felt like the perfect chance to finally try it. For anyone wondering, Dubai Chocolate is a milk chocolate bar packed with pistachio and kadayif, which is a kind of shredded filo pastry. It looks a bit odd inside, with its bright green centre and all those fine strands running through it, but that just made me more curious.

And I have to say, it was worth the wait. The pistachio flavour is subtle and nutty, with a touch of salt that pairs perfectly with the creamy milk chocolate. The real magic is in the texture, the kadayif adds a lovely light crunch, giving every bite a bit of interest.

Overall, I’m glad I tried it and would definitely pick one up again for a treat, so long as it doesn’t shoot back up to silly prices.

Poppies Macarons (from Home Bargains) [@NLi10]

 We picked up a few things from Home Bargains for a eurovision party - the host has bunnies so we picked up the lovely apple & banana stix for them - and a frozen box of Macarons for us!

They are in the freezer section which means they are perfectly fresh and in tact when you get them home, and 30 mins later they are ready to consume.  This really does feel like the perfect way to sample them.

The flavours are Vanilla, Lemon, Caramel, Chocolate, Raspberry & Pistachio and you get two of each - so a dozen for £2.89 which feels reasonable.

They are well packaged too so a good thing to present to a host of a party!

Poppy wasn't allowed to have one, even thought they do look a bit like dog treats.

The lemon one had a good flavour and was very fresh, the raspberry one was fruiter and very nice.

I'll have to try the rest next time!

What was I drinking? Summery IPAs!  This first one bordered on a sour - and as a split can was a nice size

You could totally taste the fruits!

This tropical one in comparison had none of the fruity sharpness, but the beer itself was more smooth and drinkable.  Our host loved this one so I might have to nab a few to donate.  It's Vocation which we are already big fans of from holidays in Cornwall.