Coca-Cola has release their coffee flavoured version of the classic cola. This cola coffee hybrid has been spotted at multiple Asian grocery stores in Vancouver.

I got mine at T&T Supermarket and this is the Taiwan version that was imported into Canada as it’s not available in North America just yet. They do stay there is less sugar and more caffeine in this Coffee Plus.

Taste Test

You get the taste of Coca-Cola first and then you get the aftertaste of sweet coffee candy. It was very interesting and it took me a while to decided what I thought. Even with the less sugar in it, it seemed very sweet to me. I am a coffee drinker but of course this doesn’t hit the mark personally.

I didn’t like that after the coffee taste fades, I just had a mouth full of caramel sweetness. I personally prefer the classic Coca-Cola.

Final Thoughts

I would pass on this if I encounter it again. My husband was neutral to it and didn’t think it was too sweet. I did read a few articles that it might come to North America by end of 2019, but haven’t heard any official news just yet.

Website:
https://www.coca-colacompany.com/

Clearly Kombucha is now available in Western Canada. Clearly Kombucha was founded in San Francisco offering customers a kombucha that has a crisp taste, isn’t vinegary, and no sediments. Last year, Molson Canadian acquired Clearly Kombucha, they are working hard to expand into new markets.

Where can they be found?

Their Black Currant & Raspberry Ginger flavours can be found at all 37 Costco West locations (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba).

How much is it?

A six-pack with 3 Black Currant bottles and 3 Raspberry Ginger flavours was found in BC for $13.89 with a $4 discount. Of course the prices will vary and this is only accurate when this article was written.

Black Currant Clearly Kombucha

The Black Currant Clearly Kombucha is subtly sweet with mild carbonation. Very refreshing with berry notes. It doesn’t have the vinegar taste as they have advertised, but there is a sour tang from the fermentation. This was a really good flavour.

Raspberry Ginger Clearly Kombucha

The Raspberry Ginger Clearly Kombucha was effervescent and had a dominant raspberry taste with the ginger coming through as well. It is well balanced so the ginger isn’t too strong or overpowering.

Final Thoughts

There are definitely a lot of different kombucha on the market as it is really clear unlike a few others where there are floaties and other sediments in them. At 30 calories a bottle, this isn’t bad at all and is a nice treat.

If you are a fan of Kombucha, check out Clearly Kombucha.

Website:
https://clearlykombucha.com/

We are huge fans of First We Feast’s Hot Ones videos on Youtube and there is something about watching people hurt themselves eating spice wings while being interviewed. Their first episode aired in March 2015 and after 9 seasons, they are still going strong and introducing amazing hot sauce varieties in the market.

Recently, Hot Ones and 88rising, a popular hip-hop collective have joined forces to create a limited edition hot sauce called ‘Dragon in the Clouds’. The sauce was teased in Season 2 of Feast Mansion. They use flavours of Sichuan peppercorn, sambal, ghost peppers, vinegar, yuzu, mustard, and fresh garlic to induce an intense heat experience. They do claim this is one of the hottest hot sauces they have ever created.

When we saw the sauce drop, the 4oz bottle originally sold the bottles for $30 each, but then suddenly dropped to $25 on 88nightmarket.com. We initially thought this was a bit strange, but we got refunded the difference right away. Shipping to Canada is possible but it is a bit expensive, so we opted to ship it to our mailbox in the US and make a trip out of it.

When it arrived, it comes in a small black cardboard box with the 4oz. ‘Dragon in the Clouds’ inside. The design is beautiful.

We went to Popeyes and tried this on their Mac n Cheese and fried chicken to taste test the ‘Dragon in the Clouds’ hot sauce. It’s a very hot sauce, so a dab is good enough! We poured a bunch in our Mac n Cheese and it was instant regret.

At first, the mix of aromatics can be tasted with the yuzu and vinegar standing out. Then, the heat from the sambal, ghost pepper, and Szechuan peppercorn hits you. It got hot real fast!! We’ve tried the Last Dab and the Dragon in the Clouds felt much hotter. In terms of scoville heat units, they don’t mention what the numbers are, so it’s hard to say if the Last Dab or Dragon in the Clouds is hotter definitively.

The 4oz bottle will last us for a while unlike the other Hot Ones sauces in our collection.

Miss Vickie’s has gone gourmet and launched Miss Vickies Signatures in 3 flavours – Apple Cider Vinaigrette & Shallots, Hickory Smoked Salt, and Citrus & Black Peppercorn.

“This new collection of Miss Vickie’s Signatures potato chips delivers a unique sensorial taste experience with modern ingredients”, according to their website.

This new look for these line of chips were very intriguing, so we had to grab each flavour to taste test. We’ve been huge fans of Miss Vickie’s original line because of the texture of the kettle cooked chips. I remember it was one of my go-to chip brands whenever I would go to the vending machine by our school cafeteria.

When I brought these home, my husband was also so curious about the flavour combinations and was surprised how the packaging is dark and moody unlike their colourful packaging.

Citrus & Black Peppercorn

I wouldn’t have thought these 2 ingredients go together. You can the fresh citrus as the first aroma, then the layers of the peppercorn. What really stood out was the classic texture of Miss Vickie’s kettle cooked chips that have a beautiful crunch that’s music to your ears.

My husband felt like it tasted like hand soap that has a citrus scent.

Hickory Smoked Salt

You get a strong aroma of the hickory smoke. Imagine hickory sticks, but in a full chip format but much smokier. All you can smell is the hickory.

Yet again, the texture was great.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette & Shallots

This was the third flavour in the collection. The apple cider vinaigrette stood out as the dominant taste. For me, it was a bit strong and the shallots didn’t shine at all.

I personally don’t like apple cider vinegar, so this flavour wasn’t for me.

Final Thoughts

Overall, you can’t go wrong with the classic texture of Miss Vickie’s chips. The flavours are unique but I still like the other Miss Vickie’s flavours more.

As Miss Vickie’s Signatures Chips are only available for a limited time only, who knows how long these will be on store shelves.

Website:
https://www.missvickies.ca

M is back at it again with energy drink reviews, this time with the super popular G FUEL. G FUEL is probably the biggest gamer focused energy drink company that’s not sold in retail stores. G FUEL has a huge online presence getting the likes of the FAZE Clan and Pewdiepie to vouch for their products.

G FUEL is a caffeine, vitamins, antioxidants powder you mix with water to kickstart your morning or gaming session.

Just like I said in my Game Fuel review, it’s ironic such stereotypical gamer focused energy drinks are sugar free and only has as much caffeine as a large cup of coffee. Same goes goes for G FUEL, all of their flavours use no sugar, instead opting for Sucralose and their other big selling point is you can get a bunch more bang for your buck drinking powder rather than stocking up on individual cans. Without further ado, here are my reviews of the flavours I tried! I’ll start from my favourite flavours down.

Peach Iced Tea

I don’t consider myself a huge iced tea fan, but I don’t mind drinking iced tea once in awhile. G FUEL’s Peach Iced Tea surprised the heck out of me when it became my most favourite G FUEL flavour. The peach taste is incredibly refreshing with the right amount of sourness. I doubt there’s real tea in here, but they nailed the slight bitterness of tea in the undertones of this flavour. There is no hint of artificial sweetener in the taste!

Pink Grapefruit

Refreshingly tangy yet definitely more fruity than sour taste of grapefruit. It is way more sweet than it is sour, so if you’re looking for a sour G FUEL flavour, I would not recommend the Pink Grapefruit. My 2nd favourite flavour from G FUEL with no aftertaste or hint of artificial sweetener. 

Strawberry Shortcake

Delicious fruity Strawberry flavour in the beginning with a hint of cream at the finish. Tastes good with water only or with milk. Surprisingly tastes better with water only. No artificial sweetener taste. The flavour hearkens back to Nesquik strawberry nostalgia. It actually got me clamouring for more strawberry in my other snacks for awhile.

Sour Blue Chug Rug 

Surprising fruity sweet taste of blue raspberry that transitions to a sour but not unpleasantly sour note. The more you drink it the more the sour stands out. The first swig is the best part, then diminishes the more I drank it. It verges too close to a full taste of artificial sweetener. This is perfect for those that love Blue raspberry or sour candy.

Sour Cherry

Delicious plump fruity cherry taste to start then quickly turns to a pleasant sour note. There again, is no taste of artificial sweetener. It’s very difficult to nail cherry flavour without making it taste too much like cold medicine. This one is great as the cherry fruit flavour is not overcome by the sourness.

Tropical Rain

Refreshing taste of raspberry and blueberry in the beginning, with a slight transition to a super subdued pineapple and kiwi. Not sure if its because this is an older tub, but the end in mouth feels chalky. It’s hard to pinpoint the fruits but they are there. Unfortunately there is just a slight taste of artificial sweetener.

Cherry Limeade

This flavour really reminds me of cherry limeades growing up in the 90s. There is no artificial sweetener taste and the lime taste is strong. I think it’s perfect for those who love the cherry limeade flavour, but it didn’t really do much for me personally. 

Cotton Candy

Definitely weird to drink a Cotton Candy beverage. They nailed the flavour and nuances of cotton candy without sugar, which is crazy. There is no hint of artificial sweetener yet the drink could feel chalky on the tongue. It reminded me of cotton candy bubble gum. If you love the flavour of cotton candy and wouldn’t mind drinking the flavour, this one’s for you!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was super impressed with every new flavour I tried of G FUEL. I always dread sucralose but G FUEL did a great job in hiding that taste. It brings a bit of comfort that they add antioxidants to an otherwise caffeine drink and I can’t wait to taste more G FUEL in the future, especially Battle Juice (Pineapple), Bahama Mama, and their latest collaboration with Bandai Namco, Type 0. 

PYUR is a flavoured vodka soda brand that is taking a health conscious approach to the ready to drink beverage market which has zero carbs, zero sugar and zero preservatives with all natural flavours.

It’s a great beverage to have at any party as it’s very easy and clean to drink.

PYUR comes in a 6 pack and a mix pack of 12 355ml cans with 3 flavours – lime, raspberry, and peach. These packs can be found at liquor stores and select private liquor stores in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

We were sent a pack of PYUR Vodka Soda to try.

Taste Test

Of course, there are other vodka sodas in the market already – Nude and Nutrl that also have very similar look and flavours. Also from Vancouver, BC too.

Compared to the other brands, PYUR has 4.5% alcohol content, which is 0.5% less alcohol. We found this difference helps cut out the bitter aftertaste from the vodka. We also noticed because there is a bit less alcohol, this is 90 calories instead of 100 calories from other brands.

Of the 3 flavours, lime and peach were our favourites. Lime is such a classic flavour that you can’t go wrong with. Peach was refreshing and tasted good. Raspberry leaves a lot to be desired as the taste was very artificial and left a bad aftertaste in our mouths.

We would stick with lime and peach flavours. This was like drinking La Croix, or other flavoured sparkling water brands but adding some vodka into the mix. It was a good alternative if you want to sip on something easy but not having too much alcohol.

#PYURInspiration

PYUR stands for Power Your Unique Reality and their goal is to help people live their best lives and to create an inspiring community that spreads a positive message. With so much going on in the world, sometimes it’s just nice to hear great things that others are doing to make the world a better place.

They have created a challenge called #PYURInspiration and focuses on highlighting women in the community that motivate and are admired by others.

Since becoming a mom earlier this year, I have immense admiration for women everywhere. A shout out to my mom and mother-in-law for raising such great children and supporting the next generation. Spending a lot more family time during my maternity leave has brought us closer together and given me a few extra pair of hands to take care of Baby E. They go the extra mile and never say no to anything.

Without them, going through postpartum depression would have been a lot more difficult. I really had some good day, blah days, and bad days. Motherhood has been a challenge but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Final Thoughts

With the hot summer which is hitting Vancouver now, I definitely prefer a drink that isn’t sugary as it makes me thirstier. If you’re looking to try something new and haven’t tried vodka sodas before, definitely check it out.

Website:
https://www.pyurvodkasoda.com/

Last week, I went to an event hosted by The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium to learn about (and most importantly taste!) the “King of Cheese”. Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the top cheeses consumed in the world, across Europe, North America and Asia. It’s even the cheese of choice for both American and Russian astronauts in the International Space Station. So, if those two countries are able to agree on one thing, surely this cheese is worth knowing more about!

Parmigiano Reggiano is a PDO product, which stands for “Protected Designation of Origin,” which is monitored by the European Union. This is why the cheese has its own Consortium, which was created to protect the heritage of the cheese, maintain quality control, and educate about the cheese worldwide. We met the two lovely representatives from Parma who took us through a tasting and a delicious tasting menu at the Après Wine Bar on Queen West in downtown Toronto. So while we sipped the delicious natural wines, we also tasted and devoured the delicious and creative pairings of Parmigiano Reggiano all in the name of “education.”

 Beef tartare tarts served with an aperitif.

 Potato galettes topped with crab and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Fresh radishes dipped in Parmigiano Reggiano.

Check out the top five things I learned about Parmigiano Reggiano below!

Where Is Parmigiano Reggiano Produced?

This is the area of production for Parmigiano Reggiano in Italy.

In non-Italian, North American circles, I have experienced Parmesan and Parmigiano Reggiano being used interchangeably. However, this is as inaccurate as popping any old bottle of bubbly and calling it “champagne!” While champagne is the most famous type of sparkling wine it can only be labelled champagne if it was produced in the Champagne region of France. Similarly, only the cheese labeled “Parmigiano Reggiano” comes from the designated zone of production in Italy. This area includes Parma, Reggio-Emilia, Modena, Mantua, and Bologna. In Canada you can find parmesan cheese that is produced in other parts of Italy or North America (often in that powdery form *shudders*), and the taste is vastly different from Parmigiano Reggiano because it’s produced from different cow species and a different “terroir.” Apologies for all the wine comparisons, but it does make sense seeing as Parmigiano Reggiano pairs beautifully with wine.

How Is Parmigiano Reggiano Made?

 Here is a shot from the Italian factories where the special milk that will become Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano is only made of three ingredients: milk, salt and rennet.  The milk is a blend that comes from four different cow species. The milk is raw and unpasteurized and is delivered to the cheese production sites within two hours of milking. The rennet is a natural enzyme that helps to coagulate the cheese. There are no additives or preservatives in Parmigiano Reggiano from end to end – this includes the cows’ feed which must be preservative free. Because of these strict standards throughout the production process, the bacteria flora naturally present in the milk is maintained, eventually leading to the distinctive, unique taste of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Secret Ingredient of Parmigiano Reggiano

Here is a shot of the three different cheeses that we tasted.

The Italian representatives say that there’s a fourth secret ingredient – it’s time! Parmigiano is aged for a minimum of 12 months, but it can be aged a lot longer. The standard Parmigiano Reggiano found on shelves is aged for 24 months. We tasted three different cheeses, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months. As you age the cheese it becomes more flavourful. At 12 months, the cheese is mild, milky and almost fruity in taste. It pairs well with white wines, and the cheese is a great addition to salad and other cold dishes. At 24 months, it becomes saltier in taste and grainier in texture. This is the most versatile type of Parmigiano Reggiano as it pairs well with medium-bodied red wines and can be used in all types of cooking. My favourite was the 36 months Parmigiano Reggiano. The taste is more savoury and complex, with a nutty taste and more salt crystals in the texture. The 36 months aged cheese is best enjoyed on its own or paired with fruit and honey after a meal.

  Mushroom and truffle gnocchi topped with a Parmigiano Reggiano crisp

Castela Cake with fresh strawberries and Parmigiano Reggiano Chantilly Cream

More Than Just A Topping

Parmigiano Reggiano can be used for more than just a topping for pasta or an accompaniment on a charcuterie board. It can be shaved and then baked together in the oven to form a tasty crisp, as we had with the mushroom and truffle gnocchi. It can even be used as a finisher for desserts, when lightly shaved on top of something sweeter, as you can see from the dessert above. Think of how chocolate chip cookies are finished with a dusting of sea salt. The Parmigiano Reggiano adds a touch of salt, with more savoury depth than sea salt, that balances a sweet dish and keeps you coming back for more. In Japan, some chefs are using Parmigiano Reggiano to add more umami and flavouring to their food.

Lactose Intolerant?

Finally to all my lactose intolerant friends, stop hurting yourself and put down that mozzarella! Parmigiano Reggiano is lactose-free. The bacteria that ages the cheese eats all the sugar in the milk (lactose) within forty-eight hours, transforming the lactose to lactic acid. And according to the Consortium, 30 grams contains 50% of your daily calcium intake. Not a bad way to get those nutrients.

Did you know that 550L of milk are needed to produce one 40kg wheel of cheese?

How To Identify Genuine Parmigiano Reggiano?

Finally a few more tips from our friends at the Consortium. Here’s how to identify genuine Parmigiano Reggiano. First of all – look for Parmigiano Reggiano on the label and the embossed rind. It will “Parmigiano Reggiano” stamped on it, the date of production and a seal from the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.  

If you happen to have self-control and don’t eat your Parmigiano Reggiano in one sitting, then the cheese should be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the dairy section of your fridge to maintain the moisture. Don’t shave and freeze the cheese as it will lose moisture and consequently its texture and flavour.

Finally, don’t waste the rind, it should be used to flavour soups, pasta sauce and stews. Just fish it out before serving!

So what are you waiting for? Next time you’re making a cheese board, skip the basic brie (that’s right I said it) and buy a wedge of 36 months Parmigiano Reggiano instead. Trust me, you won’t regret it.