Nestle Orange Smarties Limited Edition are back!

Just a heads up...Orange Smarties are back in small tubes for a limited period! Stock up while you can! (I spotted these in McColls)

And in the meantime, take a gander at my review of Orange Smarties Mini Eggs. Easter is nearly over but you may still be able to find some of these in shops! (try Tesco Express stores where they seem to still have a lot in).

New Nestle Orange Smarties Mini Eggs Review

I never thought the day would come but at last, Smarties have not only made their mini eggs gluten free for this Easter, they have also launched their much-loved Orange Smarties in mini egg form. Hurrah!!!

I had vowed not to touch any sweets after New Year's but I just couldn't resist the temptation of these, everyone knows the orange Smarties were the best (hence why Nestle did an Orange Smarties Sharing Tube last Christmas).

The eggs are described as "milk chocolate mini eggs in a crisp orange flavoured sugar shell" and the bag weighs in at 90g. I found them for £1 in WH Smiths. Opening the bag, the eggs looked all shiny and glossy with a sweet orangey aroma.

Crunching into one I was met with the orange shell, which was strongly flavoured and very yummy indeed. It seemed more prominent than in regular Orange Smarties, probably because of the different proportions, but I'm sure regular Orange Smarties have orange flavoured chocolate rather than shell? Anyone know? (I can't eat regular Smarties to do a comparison since they contain gluten).



The chocolate is standard milky Nestle chocolate, very sweet and non descript but it goes perfectly with the orange shells and makes for a delicious, if not super sugary, treat.

Overall, as far as Mini Eggs go these are a lot of fun and a great novelty, provided you like orange chocolate of course! I would buy these over Cadbury Mini Eggs any day since those just aren't so great anymore.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, dried whole milk, whey powder, butterfat, glazing agents (gum arabic, carnauba wax), emulsifier soya lecithin, flavourings, colours (curcumin, beta carotene).

Nutrition Information (per 5 mini eggs): 85 calories, 3.1g fat, 13.3g carbohydrates, 12.2g sugars, 0.8g protein.

8.5 out of 10.

Marks & Spencer Dark Chocolate with Clementine

Since my last review was for the poor quality Terry's  Dark Chocolate Orange, I thought I'd brighten things up and spread some festive joy by reviewing a much better quality orangey chocolate - and not just any orangey chocolate - Marks and Spencer's Dark Chocolate with Clementine! Yes, regular old oranges are not posh enough for M&S and they've flavoured their bar with clementine instead, so how does it fare?

I've had this in the archives for a while now, just waiting to be reviewed, and what better time than the festive season? This is a single origin Peru dark chocolate with 52% cocoa solids, blended with clementine oil. A bit different from the usual orange oil found in most orange dark chocolates! The bar I bought was in the mini 35g range for around 80p, although you can buy larger 100g bars for £2.

The 35g bar is just the right size for a nice chocolatey hit, I really enjoyed it. The clementine oil is a bit zestier than regular orange, slightly tarter and blends well with the rich Peruvian dark chocolate. I'm glad it's semisweet chocolate though as anything darker might have clashed too much with the clementine. Make no mistake this is far better quality than the Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange, and a lot more suitable for dark chocolate and orange chocolate lovers. It's also dairy free, vegan and contains zero vegetable fat - hurrah!

If you want some good quality orange chocolate this Chrsitmas invest in one of the larger 100g bars - they might cost a little more than Terry's but are well worth it!

8.5 out of 10. 

Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange Review

Today's review is for a chocolate I have yet to feature and one that is long overdue. I've done most of Terry's Chocolate Orange range now but somehow this classic Dark variety slipped me by. Well not anymore!

With Mondelez continually cheapening their chocolates with added sugar and vegetable fat I wondered how the latest version of this classic dark chocolate would taste. I certainly didn't expect it to taste quite as woeful as it did, so let this review serve as a warning and hopefully a wake up call: invest in better quality chocolate this festive season (the Magnum Signature Orange Milk Chocolate is much better quality!)

The Milk Chocolate Terry's Chocolate Orange is a classic Christmas staple, and they've done some interesting variations over the years from Exploding Candy to Toffee Crunch, as well as White Chocolate (which I reviewed back in 2013!), White Chocolate Smasher and even a Chocolate Orange Goes Minty variety. All of them delicious in their own ways, and I sorely miss the white chocolate version. However the Dark Chocolate variety has been a permanent fixture alongside the Milk since... forever, presumably to cater to the dark chocolate lovers despite the fact it also contains milk in the ingredients.

And sadly it's pretty naff. The dark chocolate doesn't even taste like a decent quality semisweet chocolate anymore, it's some weird greasy mixture with an odd milky flavour mixed in. It just tastes wrong, and not the sweet orangey dark chocolate you would expect at all. I don't know if they changed the recipe in recent years but it's just so awful and sickly - I didn't feel like eating more than a piece, which is unusual for me!

Overall, what can I say but avoid this chocolate?! It may have once been a decent chocolatey staple to please grandpa, but not anymore. Just look how waxy it is in the pic above - chocolate that shiny ain't natural! I think it's now safe to add Chocolate Orange to the list of confectionery products that used to be good but have gone down the toilet.

3  out of 10.

Christmas In Shops 2017 (ft Oreo Tins, Giant Toblerone, Mint Lindor & More!)

It's beginning to feel a lot like...actually, this year it felt like Christmas way back in September since most Christmas products started appearing on shelves then, but nevertheless I felt the need to do my yearly round up of some of the coolest/bestest/newest Christmassy products on shelves. You know you love it! So without further ado let's crack on and take a look at what's in the supermarkets this festive season...hopefully you might get a bit of gift inspiration! 

Firstly I have to mention the Oreo Cookie Tins (pictured above), which contain Original and Golden Oreos. They're £3 in Morrisons currently and supposed to be shared...yeah right!

Lindt Lindor Mint Limited Edition:

There's a new Lindor Limited Edition every year and this year it's the turn of Mint. Not groundbreaking perhaps, but it certainly sounds tasty. Spotted in Tesco.

Giant Toblerone 4.5kg:

Last year this Giant Toblerone was available from Iceland but Tesco are stocking it too this year. It costs a whopping £60...nice if you have the money!

Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Balls:

Mondelez brought these bite-sized Dairy Milk Oreo balls out last year and they're back again... Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Kellogg's Variety Cereal Advent Calendar:

There's a lot of unique advent calendars this year, with everything from cheese to beer to makeup to Pringles...but Kellogg's may have won the battle with this calendar containing Kellogg's cereals, a small box for every day until Christmas. Available at Tesco.

Tesco Festive Filled Cookies:

The mincemeat filled cookies return to Tesco, hurrah!

Whitworths Christmas Turkish Delight Fudge, Raisin & Chocolate Bags:

A festive snack mix of turkish delight fudge, raisins and chocolate chunks, available at Poundland.

Maynards Bassetts Jelly Babies Snowmen:

Jelly Babies have become snowmen! Available in festive colours, so basically red and green. How original. Available in Tesco, Asda, Wilko etc.

Haagen-Dazs Rum & Raisin:

A new variety of Haagen-Dazs just in time for the festive season. As a lover of the classic Rum & Raisin combo I really want to try this...I hope it'll be on special offer at some point! Spotted in Tesco.

Cadbury Layers of Joy Christmas Trifle:

A Christmas trifle with layers of white chocolate mousse, cinnamon sponge, Cadbury milk chocolate dessert topped with fresh cream...this sounds delicious! Spotted in Tesco.

San Pellegrino Clementine Winter Edition:

A Winter Edition of San Pellegrino sparkling juice, with clementine instead of orange. Spotted in Waitrose.

Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar:

Another one of this years unique advent calendars, dedicated to cheese lovers. Because a cheese a day keeps the doctor away...or not?! Spotted in Asda.

Craft Beer Advent Calendar (Iceland):

Another unique advent calendar, this is one for those who like to start their days with a bit of booze! (No judgements here) Available in Iceland.

Bailey's Alcoholic Advent Calendar (Iceland):

For those who like some booze and cream, there's this Bailey's variety available in Iceland. You only get a bottle of mini Bailey's for Christmas Day; the other days you get chocolate.

Smirnoff Alcoholic Advent Calendar (Iceland):

Containing chocolates and a bottle of Vodka for Christmas day...because who doesn't love vodka for breakfast on Christmas day? Available in Iceland.

Merry Pringles Advent Calendar:

Confusingly, Pringles have opted for this 12 Days of Chrsitmas calendar, supposedly to save on costs. Spotted in B&M Bargains.

M&M's and Friends Advent Calendar:

For the chocolate lovers, this one contains mini bags of M&M's, as well as Snickers, Mars, Milky Way etc. Spotted in Tesco.

Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent-ure:

Cadbury chocolates are pretty crap nowadays, but if you fancy a mini bar of Heroes every day then this is the calendar for you! Available in Tesco, Wilko etc.

Nestle Aero Festive Orange Sharing Bar:

Not a new bar at all, but it's made a comeback in the form of this Festive Orange Sharing Bar. Nice if you like orangey chocolates! Available in Tesco, Wilko etc.

Nestle Orange Smarties Tubes:

Another orangey chocolate making a welcome return are Orange Smarties in big tubes. Hurrah! They're also due to be given their own Orange Smarties Mini Eggs Easter Eggs next year, Double hurrah! Spotted in Asda.

Oykos Choc Orange (Asda Exclusive):

There's also this Oykos Greek Yoghurt with a choc orange layer, exclusive to Asda.

Galaxy Chocolate Orange Festive Cake Bars:

Another treat for chocolate orange lovers this year are these Galaxy Orange Festive Cake Bars. Spotted in Tesco.

Cadbury Roses Cake Bars Orange Creme:

If you prefer Cadbury chocolate there's also these Orange Creme Cadbury Roses cake bars. Available in Tesco.

Cadbury Roses Cake Bars Strawberry Dream:

If you're more a fan of strawberry flavours there's also these Strawberry Dream cake bars, with a layer of strawberry fondant. Available in Tesco.

Celebrations Cake Bar Selection Cracker:

This 11 pack contains all the various cake cars made by Mars, perfect for any "Celebration"! With Mars, Galaxy, Galaxy Caramel, Bounty, Snickers and Milky Way. Spotted in Tesco.

McVitie's Digestives White Chocolate Nibbles:

Limited Edition white chocolate coated nibbly biscuits - the perfect snack for the festive season!  Available at Tesco, Asda etc.

Haribo Sweet Medley Selection Box:

A selection pack containing Starmix, Jelly Babies, Goldbears, Tangfastics, and Super Mix. Perfect for any Haribo lover! Spotted in B&M Bargains.

Maltesers Teasers Gift Pack:

It may look like a giant Malteser, but don't be fooled, it's not! This is a gift pack containing mini Maltesers Teasers truffles. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Maltesers Luxury Chocolates:

Seemingly a cross between Ferrero Rocher and Maltesers, these Luxury chocolates are available in Sainsbury's.

Ferrero Nutella with Festive Design:

A lot of products have been given a festive makeover, but probably the best is this cute snowman wrapper on Nutella jars. Because snowmen like Nutella for breakfast...even if Ferrero have changed the Nutella recipe recently! Available in Tesco.

Cadbury's Dairy Milk Classic Collection:

Cadbury's chocolate used to taste pretty good back in the day and they also had different wrapper designs. Now you can buy their classic bars in these selection boxes with the old designs, but not with the old chocolate recipe. Sadface. Available in Tesco, Wilko etc.

Green & Blacks Velvet Edition Dark Chocolate Pralines:

Mondelez continue their push of the Green & Blacks Velvet Edition range with these new Pralines, containing dark chocolate, praline and whole hazelnuts. Also available in Milk Chocolate. Spotted in Tesco.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Snowy Delight Pots of Joy:

Cadbury have brought back their limited edition Pots of Joy Snowy Delight, containing milk and white chocolate dessert. Available in Tesco.

Reese's Lovers Collection Box:

Peanut Butter lovers rejoice, there's a special selection box just for you this Christmas! Containing all your favourite Reese's products: Reese's Cups, Reese's White Cups, Reese's Dark Cups, Nutrageous, Reese's Sticks and Reese's Nut Bar. Sounds like heaven! Spotted in Bargain Buys/Poundworld Plus.

Thorntons Seasonal Selection:

The classic Thorntons selection includes a spiced fudge chocolate for the festive season, available in Tesco, The Co Op etc.

Haribo Giant Trees:

Some new Christmas gummies from Haribo, these Giant Trees are available from Asda.

Treat Factory Unicorn Lolly:

Unicorns are the biggets trend of 2017, and it's culimanted in these Unicorn Lollies. Facepalm. Spotted in Peacocks and Fenwicks.

Muller Corner Christmas Bakery Limited Edition:

Containing gingerbread biscuits with vanilla yogurts, these limited edition Muller Corners sounds nice. Spotted in Asda.

Muller Corner Winter Limited Edition:

With spiced plum yoghurts there's also this fruity festive limited edition from Muller. Spotted in Asda.

Tesco Finest Candy Cane Limited Edition Crisps:

In case you haven't already seen it, check out my review of these novel and quite weird seasonal crisps from Tesco.

Kellogg's Cornflakes Season's Greetings Edition:

The yearly festive design for Kellogg's Cornflakes boxes is this smiley, jolly Santa. He clearly must love his cornflakes! Spotted in Asda.

Choc on Choc White Chocolate Unicorn Slab:

Another Unicorn product, this one is made by Choc on Choc, available in Fenwicks.

Taylor's of Harrogate Limited Edition Christmas Blend:

A crisp Winter roast from Taylor's of Harrogate. Spotted in Home Bargains.

Food Connections Winter Spice Flapjack:

A vegan flapjack containing spiced mincemeat, available from Holland and Barrett. The perfect snack for doing some Chrimbo shopping!

Phew...that's a lot of festive food! But it doesn't stop there because supermarkets are doing lots of own-brand goodies which I'll be doing a separate blog post for in the coming days...stay tuned for that! And Happy Festive Snacks Hunting!