Ruffles Original

More 'o them free school snacks. As it happens, most free things aren't that good (possible exceptions: love, Eagles Win You Win Dunkin' Promo). One thing I can say for Ruffles: they have ridges. Actually, I'm being far too harsh here -- as plain potato chips go, these are among the best. Good texture, extremely oily (yom), no cat litter flavor as in Lays/Pringle. I just will never be stimulated by a plain potato chip. If I were still in the land of French Onion Dip, these could have a place in my life. But I am not.

Overall
Cost: 10/10
Taste: 6/10 

La Croix Pastèque (Watermelon)

 

There is something ridiculous about the fact that La Croix insists their name is NOT French (thus, pronounced [lə kɹoɪ]) and yet they name this flavor pastèque, which unlike pamplemousse, nobody knows what [] is. However, I dunno if I'm just relieved to be alive, but this is great. Maybe because I can't have watermelon-the-fruit anymore (OAS... cruel...), but watermelon-the-drink is so nice and pleasant. This seems way stronger (i.e. flavored) than their other flavors, too. It's a little bit floral/artificial/weird, but not too bad. Almost candy-ish. Sweet. But it's 0 calos. So it's the splenda version of watermelon flavor. But it's hitting. Oh, it's hitting. Plus I like the color scheme very much.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 7/10 

Hershey's Strawberries 'N' Creme Bar

Finally, I've completed the weird Hershey's Ice "Creme" Bar trio. This one does evoke strawberry ice cream (possibly because I had also stored it in the freezer), but it did make my tongue a little tingly (to be fair to the candy bar, I am currently goin' through some brain stuff). The crunchy bits are just like, freeze dried strawberry pieces, and the bar is just the usual sweet milk oil creme. I think I'm not into what the Hershey's 'N Creme Line has to offer, generally. Ah well. 

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10 

Spindrift Cherry

Yay, a new spindrift flavor. And it's not even on the Forbidden list (no caff, no citrus, no allergens). Somehow I'm on such high alert that I got a bit paniccy when I first tried it, maybe that's just the power of carbonation (and May). Anyway, this is a good flavor! It's tart, but not painfully so. Not oversweet but not the Nothing vibes of a seltzer. Jolly good. And a cute color too. 

Overall
Cost: 5/10 [6$ for 8...hrm...]
Taste: 7/10 

Galbani Whole Milk Ricotta cheese - Lactose Free

I'm moderately lactose intolerant (or at least, ice cream and soft cheese and big milk make me Regret), but I haven't had any serious ricotta trauma, possibly because other trauma is always more pressing. Anyway, this was on Mega Sale at the store, so I got it because it's just ricotta with an enzyme in it. Perhaps they're not making it anymore, which is too bad because I support the mission. The texture and taste seemed normal. Weirdly I had an extra bad stomach ache after eating the chicken dish with this in, but that could be down to so many things that I hesitate to draw any conclusions. Anyway, tastes fine. 

Overall
Cost: 7/10 [1.49$]
Taste: 6/10 

Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Thin-Sliced 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Yay!! Normie bread! This is scary because look at it (looks seed-y), but it's truly just wheat. No flax, no sunflower seeds, no rye, no legume protein, not even a sesame warning. It isn't weirdly big like their farmhouse bread, it's just a modest sandwich-sized slice. The taste is not sweet at all, the texture is a little dry but fine, it goes great with butter, I am so happy about this bread. Yay.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 7/10 

Starburst Fruit by the Foot Mini Feet

This is an Easter candy, broadly construed. How silly. They really are mini. There are two flavors:

Strawberry: A weirdly light color, almost bubble-gum looking. Tastes like a strawberry candy flavor more than a strawberry gummy/fruit snack. Again, weirdly small. But tastes good. 7/10

Lemon: This is a little better than the strawberry; tastes like a lemon fruit snack (which to be honest I don't know if I've ever had? But if I did!) 7/10 

A serving is 2, which makes me think "just make one non-mini foot" but I guess I'm not the target audience of a small child on Easter morning. 

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 7/10