Kotas Reviews Lime and Jalapeno Ruffles

Hello Sports Fans, it's been a while hasn't it? Well, that's just how we roll on in today's cavalcade of flavor options churned out ceaselessly by Corporate Food Companies. Seriously, I can't even keep up with the onslaught of new and varied flavors of things anymore. Every time I go into the grocery store there is something new and different to try. Still, the occasional really interesting thing pops out, and that's what we have for today's experience. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's take a look at Lime and Jalapeno Ruffles.

I should probably know who Anthony Davis is, but this is the world we live in.

So for decades, athletes have been used for food advertising. For decades they've even had their faces on the packaging. However, this is absolutely the first time in my experience that a flavor was...uh...developed? Approved by? It says "By", so I'm going to assume Mr. Davis here came up with it. The packaging is spot on. Not only does it put the flavor front and center, the image of Anthony Davis is out of the way without being pushed aside. It's a delicate balancing act, but this pulls it off. Good job, Frito-Lay. Now, let's tear open this bag and see what we can see.

It ain't much, but it's honest flavor dust.

Yeah, yeah, this continues the tradition of Jalapeno flavored things generally having an underwhelming appearance. I mean, it's Ruffles with tiny green specks. Shocking, eh? The scent is exactly what you would expect. Fake-ish lime scent with some Jalapeno mixed in. Let's taste! First off, damn these things are spicier than I expected. Second, they are also damn good. Normally I don't like artificial lime flavoring, but either they've used a different one that I've tasted on other chips or the jalapeno essence they used just compliments it really well. Really strong lime flavor, big hit of pepper spice, and it fades fairly quickly if you let it. These are delicious, and the bag did not survive my household long.

On the FACE Rating System, these get 3 Smiley Faces. You really have to be in the mood for spicy lime flavor, but this thing delivers that flavor by the truck load, without being too much in either the lime or spice direction. Bravo Anthony Davis. If that whole basketball thing doesn't work out, perhaps you could be a Flavorgineer? 

Kotas Reviews Hot Cocoa M&Ms

Hello 2020! Looks like we finally made it to the next decade folks (except for you pendants out there who insist the next decade is next year. You can wait a year to party then) and it is NOTHING like what I envisioned. By this point I was sure I would be suffering from cyberpsychosis from too many implants, complaining about how terrible Jaws 19 had been 5 years ago, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the coming of Unicron, or possibly 3 years into the War with Skynet. Boy, aren't I disappointed? Well, there's one sure fire way to soothe my disappointed soul: Candy! And what better candy to ring in the new year than M&Ms! They are basically fat pills, and delicious. Of course, it is winter, so we should jazz it up a bit! THE FUTURE IS NOW! Ladies and Gentlemen, let's take a look at Hot Cocoa M&Ms.

Saucy.

So, I love a good hot chocolate. From the Swiss Miss packs of my youth, to full on melted chocolate and heavy cream, hot cocoa is absolutely delicious and incredibly warming to my palate. I don't often get to indulge in this, because it's kind of a pain in the ass even if you take short cuts, but I sure do love it when I get it. Santa must know me pretty well, since I got a whole BAG of these in my stocking this year! That was super thoughtful of him! Let's take a look!

Well, the packaging is on fleek. I think we can all agree that Mars has their marketing for these things down pat. I am a bit concerned about the presence of white chocolate. I'm not a fan of white chocolate, and I find its presence can actively detract from candy. Let's see if it is the case this time.

Well, that's not great

Well, the color palette is kind of okay, except for the weird tan ones. I guess that's supposed to be the hot cocoa diluted with whipped cream? I mean, eh? Whatever, all is forgiven if the candy is good. However, the candy isn't good. White chocolate, with some vaguely artificial marshmallow-esque flavoring, along with a hint of milk chocolate. It's not poison, but it's definitely not Hot Cocoa. The dominant flavor is White Chocolate, and then the other stuff really only comes through in the after taste. I can eat these, but I choose not to.

On the FACE Rating System these get 1 Frowny Face, mostly for disappointment. If you like white chocolate, these might be up your alley, but for me it only holds sadness and a feeling like I was lied to. Kind of like this year, actually.