New Products

New Shakes, Slurpees, and Frappes Take a Walk on the Weird Side

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 19th 2011 @ 5:00PM

new summer slushies and shakes Photos: 7-Eleven; Arby's; Dunkin Donuts

Love the jolt of a good old Mountain Dew? Then you're going to flip for the new very yellow, very slushy Dunkin' Donuts' Mountain Dew Coolatta, coming in May.

But before you plan a summer-long date with a poolside Dew-latta, you might want to check out USA Today's round-up of the other new (and slightly weird) spring and summer frozen drinks, from fruity Slushees to lemonade chillers.

Oreo cookie fans, heads up: The Sonic Double Stuf Oreo Blast (also being introduced in May) is made with ice cream that's made with the cookie's cream filling. No twisting apart your chocolatey outsides anymore to get to the middle. We're in.

Get all the details at USA Today.

Filed under: New Products, Chain Stores / Restaurants

New App Counts Calories with iPhone Camera

COMMENTS 3

by Jessie Cacciola, Posted Apr 18th 2011 @ 12:00PM

MealSnap iphone app Photo: iTunes

Calorie counts can now be made with a flick of your iPhone. Meal Snap, by health and fitness brand DailyBurn ($2.99 on iTunes), allows users to calculate calories for any food item in the app's 500,000-item database, from an apple to a bag of chips, simply by snapping its picture. Users can then choose to log it into a food diary, to keep track of daily intake, or share findings on Twitter, if you're a lifestyle pusher.

But the counting isn't exact. A few minutes after snapping, a reading reveals a range of possible calories -- an apple could be anywhere between 64 and 96, while a container of yogurt registered between 135 and 204, notes the Daily Mail, who ran a test of their own. So nutrition sticklers, beware, these are mere estimates. The app will also estimate fat content, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins and other breakdowns, notes chief executive at DailyBurn, Andy Smith, according to Daily Mail.

And it may do wonders for our appetite, says Smith. "The pure act of tracking something can cause a psychological change that can help people on their health and fitness journey," he tells the Mail. "Just the simple fact of logging it makes me more aware of what I'm eating." No lie. Weight Watchers members have been doing just that for decades -- without a camera.

Filed under: New Products, Gadgets

Food Network Launches a Wine Label

COMMENTS 0

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 13th 2011 @ 2:00PM

First it was ballpark fare, now wine. The Food Network isn't satisfied with simply being the television home of an increasingly loud stable of hosts. The cable network, which already does brisk business with cookware lines and cookbooks, is launching a new wine label: Entwine.

The venture is a partnership with California's Wente Vineyards, and features four varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio (all 2009 vintage). The potential wine-drinking pool is deep -- the network claims it reaches 100 million households.

The wines, priced at $12.99, officially launch this summer, but the network hosted a tasting party earlier this week. We're not sure that the Pinot Grigio was exactly like "a green apple drizzled with lime juice and honey," or that the Chardonnay was "reminiscent of a slice of toast spread with homemade apple butter," but we'll give their PR people points for trying.

Anne Burrell, host of the network's "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" cut to the chase, according to eater. Her spin? "The only way you will learn is to try. Drinking is research! So get out there and drink more," she said.

Filed under: Television/Film, New Products

Japanese Burger King Launches Meat Monster: A 1,160 Calorie Burger

COMMENTS 22

by Bill Sertl, Posted Apr 13th 2011 @ 12:30PM

Meat Monster chicken hamburger in Japan Photo: Burger King

First, Godzilla devoured Tokyo. Now Tokyo is about to take on the Meat Monster. With everyone so health conscious these days, it's hard to believe that Burger King is introducing a new sandwich, (in Japan only) that flies in the face of sensible eating: The Meat Monster. The website Opposing Views says the "aptly named sandwich" consists of two hamburgers, a chicken breast, two slices of cheese, three pieces of bacon, and, of course, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion.

Total calories: 1,160. That's more than half the daily recommended amount for a 40-year-old woman of average height and weight. (A regular Whopper has 670 calories.) Japanese customers can also personalize their Monster, adding teriyaki sauce, an egg or even a fish patty.

No word yet if the Monster will be available in the States, but we assume, if it is, that we'll be allowed to get creative, too. Maybe we can toss on some Spaghetti-Os or Cheez-Whiz to add a real American touch.

Filed under: New Products, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Taco Bell Tests Nacho Cheese Doritos Taco Shells

COMMENTS 40

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 13th 2011 @ 12:00PM

Photo: YouTube

Though plenty of college kids have probably had this exact idea late at night (worth noting is the 2009 launch of a new Doritos flavor, Late Night Tacos At Midnight), the Dorito taco shell is one step closer to becoming a reality. Taco Bell is testing Doritos Locos Tacos, in which the ingredients are similar as Taco Bell's other offerings, but the outside is, well, a lot more orange. There has been a Facebook campaign (aptly titled "Taco Shells Made From Doritos Movement") for quite some time but according to the page, they were not informed that the product is now actually in development. It is unclear if or when this product will be nationally available, but if you're in the Toledo, Ohio area, you may just be in luck, as it's one of the test markets for the bright orange nacho cheese shells.

If you can't make it to Toledo, live vicariously through the below video, in which the gentleman below samples this cheesy taco shell and remarks, "It is everything I expected and more."

Filed under: New Products, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Would You Wear Bacon Cologne?

COMMENTS 1

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 6th 2011 @ 4:00PM

bacon cologne Photo: Fargginay

No need to check the date -- it's not April Fool's Day anymore. Which means that Fargginay's new Bacon cologne is not a joke.

The fragrance, meant to be worn by either men or women, is a mix of essential oils and, well, bacon. The company offers two versions of the scent: Bacon Classic and Bacon Gold. (Classic veers more maple, while Gold contains a citrus note, according to the company's perky Q&A section.)

We can all agree the bacon is delicious, but a cologne? Really? The company insists the fragrance actually smells good. "These are sophisticated aromas," the website reads. "There is a top, middle and bottom note. Both Bacōn Classic and Bacōn Gold are comprised of essential oils, flowers, herbs and the essence of bacon. The bacon is the bottom note. Hidden in just the right place. It's there alright, and the real fun is in finding it."

Let's hope your date finds it before your dog does.

Read the whole story at The Huffington Post.

Filed under: Food News, New Products

Dunkin' Donuts Introducing a New Snack Line

COMMENTS 4

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 5th 2011 @ 12:00PM

Dunkin Donuts new Hearty Snacks menu Photo: Dunkin' Donuts

Used to be, Dunkin' Donuts was for one thing: doughnuts. But in recent years the chain has become known for above-average coffee, iced coffee drinks, and even breakfast sandwiches. Their latest venture, rolled out yesterday, is a line of inexpensive snacks designed to boost sales between mealtimes.

The menu, called "Hearty Snacks," features the chain's bagel twists, available in cheddar cheese or cinnamon raisin, for $1.39 each, reports the Nation's Restaurant News. But they're also offering something more suited to Domino's than Dunkin': stuffed breadsticks. Made with pizza dough, the breadsticks come in two flavors: cheeseburger and pepperoni and cheese. They'll set you back $1.59. Can't decide on a doughnut? Try one of their new apple pies instead for $1.29.

Execs hope the new menu items will spur sales -- Dunkin' Brands Inc. cited a 2010 report from Technomic Inc. that found 55 percent of consumers snack at least once a day and that 21 percent of consumers say they are now snacking more frequently than they were two years ago, reports NRN.

Makes good business sense, we get it. But...aren't doughnuts snacks?

Filed under: New Products, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Playing Dress-Up With Mrs. Butterworth's

COMMENTS 20

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Mar 31st 2011 @ 12:00PM

Mrs. Butterworth's syrup bottles Photo: Mrs. Butterworth's

Did you really think that only fashion designers roll out a spring line?

The latest is this: Mrs. Butterworth's 24-ounce bottles of syrup. Yes, the famously coy talking syrup bottle has gotten into fashion. The bottles, which have carried the iconic shape since their 1961 debut, now come in three different springtime designs decked out with bunnies, flowers, and butterflies.

But Mrs. Butterworth's manufacturer, Pinnacle Foods Group, has taken things a step further: With the help of 20 accessories, available for download through Facebook, a game of "paper dolls" is born. You simply print the images, cut them out and place 'em on top of the pear-shaped gal. You can sit around the table at breakfast with your spouse, kids or friends and dress up the lady on the bottle. Will she go to the beach (thanks to a snorkeling mask)? Or exchange her winter boots for a pair of rollerblades? (No, we're not kidding.)

But don't try to outsmart Mrs. B -- you can't put these accessories onto a Mrs. Butterworth's syrup bottle already in your pantry. The secret codes to obtain the snorkel gear et al. are printed on the spring-themed bottles. Maybe the gimmick will entice you to to pick up two or three bottles -- you wouldn't want to have the worse-dressed syrup at the table, would you?

Filed under: New Products

Food Network Branded Sandwiches to Hit Ballparks

COMMENTS 2

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Mar 23rd 2011 @ 3:00PM

Photo: Scott Ableman, Flickr

You can run from Guy Fieri, Rachel Ray, and the rest of the Food Network gang, but you can't hide -- not even at the ballpark. The network is launching Food Network branded sandwiches at eight baseball stadiums this season, complete with the networks perky red logo, according to CNBC. The highlighted offering is the Red, White & Blue Steak Sandwich with Maytag blue cheese and sweet and spicy Peppadew-pepper mayonnaise on a French demi baguette, but word is they'll also be serving up steak sandwiches topped with local ingredients. (The Milwaukee "sammie," as Rachel Ray would call it, will have beer cheese over the steak, while Baltimore's version will get a dose of Old Bay-spiced steak sauce.) Happily, no talk yet of branded peanuts or Cracker Jack.

Read the whole story at CNBC.

Filed under: Television/Film, New Products

Wine in a Pouch?

COMMENTS 16

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Mar 21st 2011 @ 4:00PM

Indulge Wines, eco-friendly pouches of wine Photo: Indulge Wines

If you're nostalgic for those fun Capri Sun pouches you sipped as a kid, you might be interested in the new package wine package vintners are trying out in an effort to be eco-friendly.

Indulge Wines, headquartered in Buellton (Santa Barbara County), California, recently rolled out two 1.5L wines packaged in an "Astrapouch": a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast; and a 2009 Pinot Noir, Central Coast. Although right now they're only available in California, by summertime, wine-drinkers nationwide will be able to purchase the portable pouches. (Each pouch is the equivalent of two 750mL wine bottles.)

Filed under: New Products, Drinks