Haribo Sour Bats

I also ate these a few days before an agonizing stomach ailment, but I'm quite sure they aren't to blame! Sweet little Haribo wouldn't hurt a fly (except for those sugar free ones which I'm pretty sure are off the market now). I really did a 180 on Haribo, but these were pretty good. They're large, not too firm, distinctly flavored, cute, and seasonal to boot. Very impressive resume. Plus they were only 50 cents! The inner bat bit is "blackcurrant" flavor, which, OK. It was a neutral sweet gummy. The wings are what really shine. 

I think the cherry is my favorite; it's sweet and just a little sour. Tastes like a good cherry (little a bottle cap, starburst, or tootsie pop) and not a medicinal cherry (most other cherries)! 7/10

The apple is more sour, with a good strong green apple flavor. 7/10

The orange is middle of the road sour, and it too has a nice sweet orange flavor! 7/10

Overall
Cost: 8/10
Taste: 7/10

Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs

I ate this three days ago, and now I have a terrible stomach bug. Coincidence? Probably! But it doesn't make me eager to revisit this cheese product anytime soon. Which is A-OK with me, because it didn't taste much like cheese. I made a pasta with it, and that pasta had a good consistency but didn't taste great -- too milky and herby. Then I had a little on its own with pretzels, and that was actually better, because this is basically like a french onion dip without the onion (or dip). Like that, it's solid. But it's not a cheese. It does look fancy, though, and I respect that. I have a high fever. Darn you, cheese!!

Overall
Cost: 4/10
Taste: 5/10

Jelly Belly Monster Mash

For reasons that don't need interrogating at this time (no interrogating!), I've been heavily engaging in Unhealthy Consumption. And it's Halloween(ish) so these are a nice seasonal jelly bean which didn't have any forbidden flavors. Unfortunately, they were a little stale/firm and I didn't really love any of the beans in this mash:

Caramel Corn: Tastes basically like the buttered popcorn one, which is a distinct flavor which I don't love.
Green Apple: Really weirdly medicinal, not horrible but not great.
Jewel Grape Soda: I don't know from Jewel; it's grapey but not especially bright or soda-y,
Jewel Orange: Just vaguely orange flavored, but not special.
Wild Blackberry: Generic berry flavor. Fine.

Will this ho-hum experience put me off candy, though? It will not! I hope there are still sales when I go to the store this weekend! 

Overall
Cost: 6/10 [2$]
Taste: 6/10

Suntastic Beefsteak Tomatoes

My tomatoes were not so red as these! But they're called Suntastic. But they're from a farm in Canada. But also the address of the farm is in Florida. I really have no idea how this qualifies as "local produce", but it was in my local veg box, so, OK. The website on the package (http://www.visitourgarden.com/) does not seem to exist. It's like a prank on me, Billy Tomato Fan. 

But I am a tomato fan. These are great for pasta and also rice. They taste like tomato, lasted a whole week, and were solid even though the outsides didn't look super pretty. In general, tomatoes are good, but for me the bigger they are they more I like them (Big Bois > Romas > Grape > Cherry). So these are pretty large and also pretty good.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 7/10
Transparency in Origin: 2/10

McCormick Turmeric Ground

From the cinnamon ground to the turmeric ground. It's been probably 10 years since I learned about the spelling of turmeric, but it's still surprising to me. I guess the spelling critical period sets in around age 16 or so. Anyway, turmeric isn't my favorite spice. It's bright yellow. I do like that. But the taste is very "savory soup". I do like soup, but not as a spice. That might be my fault for only using turmeric in non-savory drinks. The image on the container makes me realise that this stuff is in the ginger family, often paired with ginger, and yet (to me) tastes very little like ginger. Anyway, I'm not allergic to it, so I'll probably keep using it because it is a common ingredient. Did you know there's a massive mustard recall in the UK because there's peanut contamination in the mustard supply? McCormick would never. That is why they are my trusted brand. (Don't make me look foolish for saying this, McCormick!!)

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 5/10

Stauffer's Animal Cookies - Iced

After the delightful Stauffer's Ginger Snaps, I went to my store to restock, but they were not available! They had only these Animal Cookies. Now when I was a kiddo, pre-allergy-labels, I definitely ate and liked some animal cookies, but I don't think it was these, I think it was a more delicious frosted one with sprinkles. I probably tried these once and thought "ew". Well, the good news for product purists is, I don't think these have changed a bit in 25 years. I'm also much more desperate for cookies and sweets now, so I don't hate these, but I can recognize that they aren't particularly delicious. The cookie bit is fine -- tastes like a shortbread -- but the icing is thin, and serves only to contribute a vague "chalky" vibe. However, they are kinda cute, and I will totally eat them while I wait for better things. 

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Martinelli's Apple Juice

I'm the type of person who is extremely susceptible to marketing, which is probably part of why I get compelled to try all of the flavors of {oreo, toaster strudel, dunkin...} unless something veers me off course. So, here I am to sample a non cider Martinell. It's fine. It tastes like apple juice tastes. The upshot is: the ingredients are very clean, the bottle is glass and stylin', and I have an affection for the company (I'm also the type of person who has affection for companies, which I recognize is a flaw, but nevertheless). Lasts for five days, makes a good mixer, a little too sweet for my taste but at the same time, good if there are no other sweet drink options!

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10