Those that follow this space regularly know of my interest and love of all things sweet. Cakes, candies, cookies: all are ripe for discourse. And while this weekend marks a solemn religious moment for some, a byproduct of that is it is also important on my calendar in a related way, as ground zero for Peeps.
Indeed, over the years I have written a number of scholarly treatises on various issues related to that marshmallow confection. In 2006 there was "Food Sciences" talking about some of the tests and trials to which people subject the yellow bunnies. And 2014's "Everyday a Holiday" noted the expansion of their retail presence in both line extensions and physical stores. So with all the current action in this particular space, I feel duty bound to dive in one more time. In fact, this year has seen a bumper crop of Peeps news. Each by itself is but a minor blip the sugar-coated universe. But taken together they represent a major hop forward in the Peepification of our world.
It all started back in January with the announcement of International Delight's latest offering. That company fields a full line of flavored coffee creamers, from vanilla to hazelnut to Irish crème. Most recently they have released co-branded products featuring the flavors of Cinnabon and Almond Joy, turning your morning brew into something more akin to dessert. Well, not to miss out on an opportunity, they've recently rolled out Peeps coffee creamer. Yes, it tastes marshmallow-y, but unlike most creamers it also makes your coffee yellow-y. Considering that it starts out as black, that means that whatever the taste, the resulting blend might be more suitable for a travel mug, one with none-see-thru lid.
Hot on the heels of that big announcement came the one from cereal behemoth Kellogg's. Makers of such iconic brands as Cheerios, Rice Krispies and Fruit Loops, they have also been gussying up their line with new contemporary flavors like Frosted Mini Wheats in Vanilla Latte and Pumpkin Spice varietals. Also fearing they could be left behind on this particular parade, they have introduced Peeps cereal. While most breakfast offerings might add a few little chips of candy sprinkled in amongst the flakes, this one goes all in. Its red, yellow and blue whole grain rings carry a marshmallow taste, complimented by actual marshmallows to gild this particular lily. Again, all that coloring turns the milk you pour into your bowl a shade of, well, think tie-dye and you're in the neighborhood.
Back at Peeps HQ, they are working at expanding this year's flavor roster as well. After all, just because something is made of marshmallow doesn't mean it has to taste like marshmallow. And so they now offer numerous takes beyond the subtle tang of Pink and Yellow. There's Pancakes & Syrup, Root Beer Float and Cotton Candy flavors, each of which gives you that spongy consistency and form of the original with the taste of something completely different. And their Delights line, which seeks to take the candy upscale and appeal to more adult tastes by dipping it in chocolate, added Orange Sherbet flavor, which according to one review, "nails that delicate tropical sunscreen aroma found in a Dreamsicle."
They are even stepping out of their home turf into other neighboring areas. You can now get classic chocolate bunnies under the Peeps banner. Similar to the usual solid Easter offerings, they come wrapped in pink, blue and yellow foil as a nod to their heritage. They have also rolled out, no pun intended, Peeps jelly beans. They come twinned as strawberry and marshmallow, lemon and marshmallow, and blueberry and marshmallow. Because a strawberry jelly bean just isn't sweet enough without a marshmallow flavored clone next to it.
The US population is a bit north of 300 million. Estimates are that this Easter about 600 million Peeps will be consumed. Even if you are bad at math, you can see that works out to about 2 for every person in the country. You may not be a fan, nor the person on either side of you or behind you. That only means that person in front of you is eating an entire package. In the holiday spirit, no judging.
-END-
Marc Wollin of Bedford has a serious sugar issue. His column appears regularly in The Record-Review, The Scarsdale Inquirer and online at http://www.glancingaskance.blogspot.com/, as well as via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Indeed, over the years I have written a number of scholarly treatises on various issues related to that marshmallow confection. In 2006 there was "Food Sciences" talking about some of the tests and trials to which people subject the yellow bunnies. And 2014's "Everyday a Holiday" noted the expansion of their retail presence in both line extensions and physical stores. So with all the current action in this particular space, I feel duty bound to dive in one more time. In fact, this year has seen a bumper crop of Peeps news. Each by itself is but a minor blip the sugar-coated universe. But taken together they represent a major hop forward in the Peepification of our world.
It all started back in January with the announcement of International Delight's latest offering. That company fields a full line of flavored coffee creamers, from vanilla to hazelnut to Irish crème. Most recently they have released co-branded products featuring the flavors of Cinnabon and Almond Joy, turning your morning brew into something more akin to dessert. Well, not to miss out on an opportunity, they've recently rolled out Peeps coffee creamer. Yes, it tastes marshmallow-y, but unlike most creamers it also makes your coffee yellow-y. Considering that it starts out as black, that means that whatever the taste, the resulting blend might be more suitable for a travel mug, one with none-see-thru lid.
Hot on the heels of that big announcement came the one from cereal behemoth Kellogg's. Makers of such iconic brands as Cheerios, Rice Krispies and Fruit Loops, they have also been gussying up their line with new contemporary flavors like Frosted Mini Wheats in Vanilla Latte and Pumpkin Spice varietals. Also fearing they could be left behind on this particular parade, they have introduced Peeps cereal. While most breakfast offerings might add a few little chips of candy sprinkled in amongst the flakes, this one goes all in. Its red, yellow and blue whole grain rings carry a marshmallow taste, complimented by actual marshmallows to gild this particular lily. Again, all that coloring turns the milk you pour into your bowl a shade of, well, think tie-dye and you're in the neighborhood.
Back at Peeps HQ, they are working at expanding this year's flavor roster as well. After all, just because something is made of marshmallow doesn't mean it has to taste like marshmallow. And so they now offer numerous takes beyond the subtle tang of Pink and Yellow. There's Pancakes & Syrup, Root Beer Float and Cotton Candy flavors, each of which gives you that spongy consistency and form of the original with the taste of something completely different. And their Delights line, which seeks to take the candy upscale and appeal to more adult tastes by dipping it in chocolate, added Orange Sherbet flavor, which according to one review, "nails that delicate tropical sunscreen aroma found in a Dreamsicle."
They are even stepping out of their home turf into other neighboring areas. You can now get classic chocolate bunnies under the Peeps banner. Similar to the usual solid Easter offerings, they come wrapped in pink, blue and yellow foil as a nod to their heritage. They have also rolled out, no pun intended, Peeps jelly beans. They come twinned as strawberry and marshmallow, lemon and marshmallow, and blueberry and marshmallow. Because a strawberry jelly bean just isn't sweet enough without a marshmallow flavored clone next to it.
The US population is a bit north of 300 million. Estimates are that this Easter about 600 million Peeps will be consumed. Even if you are bad at math, you can see that works out to about 2 for every person in the country. You may not be a fan, nor the person on either side of you or behind you. That only means that person in front of you is eating an entire package. In the holiday spirit, no judging.
-END-
Marc Wollin of Bedford has a serious sugar issue. His column appears regularly in The Record-Review, The Scarsdale Inquirer and online at http://www.glancingaskance.blogspot.com/, as well as via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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