Mott's Applesauce

Unlike the no-sugar-added Mott's applesauce, this one... tastes good. Sure, it might be that there's sugar added. But maybe it's because I'm not using it to hide pills in. Hard to say, really. It tastes like plain applesauce. Not very exciting, but not sour at all, and a nice treat for when you have a mysterious stomach ailment. Also very cheap for an 18 pack.

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

Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

Big pumpkin day for me! I used this to make an herby pumpkin pasta, which I was VERY skeptical about, but it was actually quite good. Not as good as cheese would have been, but not at all weird or sweet or anything I feared. Also, this is 100% pumpkin with no spices or additives and it is nut free and soy free. And it was a fun gloopy texture. I dunno what else I can make with pumpkin besides desserts, but I am now somewhat interested in finding out! Thanks, Libby!

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

Jelly Belly - Pumpkin Pie

Real talk, blog fans: I'm so sick of being miserable! I've thrown most of my {brain diet/supplements/unhelpful preventative medication/goals} out the window, which is maybe something I'll regret, but I gave it 4 solid months and in this moment I just want to feel maximal non-despair before I go (which everyone agrees is important for the ultimate goals of improving the world and supporting others!!). 

In service of this mission, I ate about twenty of Jelly Belly's Pumpkin Pie Jelly Bean. This is a jelly bean flavor that needn't exist. Also, a bag with only one flavor of jelly bean is weird and bad. This is a flavor I don't think I've had before. My first reaction was that it tastes a lot like Dr. Pepper, and not just in terms of the "spices" (although there is a spicy vibe -- clove? cinnamon? allspice?), but also it feels fizzy! Like a bottle cap candy but with jelly bean texture. If they called this "Store Brand Cream Soda" I think I would like it more. I guess the flavor is enjoyable, but a bit weird too. The color is pleasing. Would not purchase again, but if this is in a mix of flavors, I would rank it toward the middle. (That is also where I'd rank myself in terms of people, so it's no major insult.)

Overall
Cost: 7/10
Taste: 6/10

Jelly Belly Apple Cider Mix

There are many things one could say about America, but I won't say them here. Except that there are a lot of Jelly Belly flavors one can buy, most of which don't currently contain unlabelled toxins and allergens! Nice! This one was on super sale because I guess it's seasonal. It contains two identical (to me with bad vision) red beans: red apple and cinnamon. I think they are in a ratio of 2:1. The idea is, I think, for you to shove the whole bag in your mouth at once and then it's like you're eating spiced apple cider. I love chewy, chewy cider. In all seriousness, those are two solid flavors, both very strong and bright. Good qualities. And not being able to tell them apart is kinda fun. So, this is a good time. 

Overall
Cost: 7/10 [1$]
Taste: 7/10

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