They’ve made a couple of changes to the iconic recipe (Picture: BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Ribena has been a popular drink in the Uk for more than 80 years, having first been developed in the 1930s.
It was originally created as a blackcurrant syrup, high in vitamin C and was given out by the government to children and expectant mothers free of charge during World War II, as fruit with vitamin C was scarce at the time.
Today it’s enjoyed as a squash, but those who consume it regularly might have noticed it tastes a little bit different.
That’s because the drink’s recipe has recently undergone some changes, as has been confirmed by the brand itself. This included adding a natural blackcurrant flavour and removing the polydextrose.
They’ve also ‘very slightly’ reduced the amount of blackcurrant juice the product contains.
The popular drink has been a staple in the UK for more than 80 years (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This confirmation follows complaints from customers who claimed it tasted ‘weird’ and demanded they ‘bring back the original’.
Taking to Facebook, Paul Thomas Spencer said: ‘I thought it tasted weird, I thought I’d got an odd bottle. It tastes cheap.’
As Kerry Enoch wrote: ‘Bring back the original Ribena from the 1970s, that was delicious.’
And Eddie Platt shared: ‘Nobody’s ever complained about the taste since day one, so why try and improve or fix things that are not broken?’
Mazy Von Peebles added: ‘It was perfect and now undrinkable. Thanks Ribena, kids crying now.’
Comment nowHave you noticed a change in Ribena’s taste? Share your thoughts below.Comment Now
Speaking about the changes, Sarah Fleetwood, head of marketing for Ribena, said: ‘We set ourselves the challenge of improving our Ribena Blackcurrant squash. The key ingredients remain – we’ve just re-balanced the recipe to deliver more of the unique Ribena taste that we know our consumers love.
‘After a year of trials, we’ve delivered a better tasting drink and in a taste test, two thirds of people preferred the improved recipe.
‘What hasn’t changed is the fact that Ribena is still made with 100% British blackcurrants and performs very favourably on “juice per serve” ratio compared to other squash drinks’.
This isn’t the first time the Ribena recipe has changed though, as it was also notably altered in April 2018, when artificial sweeteners were added to the drink, in response to the introduction of the government’s sugary drink tax.
The beloved cinema drink will be found on B&M shelves (Picture: Getty Images)
No cinema trip is complete without a Tango Ice Blast.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan once declared the drink to be ‘unadulterated joy’, and dreamt of having his very own machine at home.
And now, fans can finally enjoy the drink without heading to the big screen, as it returns to UK supermarkets in a ready-to-drink version.
Budget retailer B&M, which is famous for rare food finds, will be one of the stores offering the new drinks, along with Nisa, Spar, Co-op, Iceland and Home Bargains.
And the best part? The drinks costs just £3.35 for a 2L bottle.
While fans of Tango Ice Blast regularly praise the drink, one major problem is repeatedly raised: the price.
The drinks are relaunching in April (Picture: Tango Blast)
‘I love Tango Ice Blasts but why do they have to cost like 50 grand?’ lamented one X user. Others said they’re charged a ‘whole house’ to get their hands on the drink.
The cost of the slushy treat varies, but they’re currently available on Uber Eats for £5.99, while some cinema go-ers have reported paying up to £9.
This new supermarket offering though will be more than half the price, and while it won’t be icy, it will come in the same tangy flavours die-hard fans know and love: cherry and raspberry.
The Cherry and Raspberry Blast drinks were briefly in stores last year, but they’ll be returning in a surprise drop from tomorrow, available for just six months. A statement shared today warned ‘run don’t walk because once they’re gone, they’re really gone.’
When the drinks were last on shelves, reviewers had pretty positive comments. Instagram reviewer, John from @johnssnackreviews, who shares his no holds barred thoughts on a variety of new products, gave both drinks a 7/10, adding: ‘Worth trying but just a touch too weak on flavour for me.’
They’ll be launching in Co-op, Spar, Nisa, Iceland and more (Picture: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
The 500ml bottles will be found from April 1 at Nisa, Spar and Co-op for just £2.15, while 2L varieties can be picked up in Iceland, B&M and Home Bargains for £3.35.
Victoria Burridge, Tango brand manager, said: ‘We’ve heard our fans’ cries and are thrilled to bring back Tango Cherry Blast and Raspberry Blast after they flew off the shelves when first launched last year.
‘Guaranteed to deliver that iconic hit of fruity Tang, they’re returning as a limited time drop so fans will need to hurry!’
The Blasts aren’t the only bargain product to be arriving in supermarkets recently.
Lidl fans were sent into a frenzy when the budget retailer launched Mini Egg Brownies in its beloved bakery, which cost just 89p each.
The new item features a brownie base, and appears to have a layer of chocolate on top which is covered in pieces of colourful crushed Mini Eggs.
The crisps are now available in Aldi’s middle aisle (Picture: Getty Images)
A much-loved Aldicrisp flavour is now back on shelves after a 12-month hiatus – but you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on a pack.
The supermarket’s Specially Selected Garlic Bread Crinkle Cut Crisps were first released in 2023, and despite only being available for a limited time, they garnered quite the fan base.
In fact, this hybrid snack proved so popular that it was brought back again the following year, with shoppers begging for them to become a permanent edition.
And while that particular prayer remains unanswered, Aldi has now given the people what they want, dropping the flavour in middle aisles this week.
Proving the strength of the demand, a Food Finds UK Official Facebook post announcing their return racked up thousands of comments and likes.
‘I wrote an email last month asking for them to bring them back,’ Joanne Dobson commented, while Lisa Black added: ‘Best things ever! I’ve been waiting for them to come back.’
They’re a fan favourite (Picture: Aldi)
At £1.50, the crisps are described as ‘deliciously moreish’ with ‘the taste of smoky garlic, married with the hearty crunch of Aldi’s premium Specially Selected crinkle cut style.’
It seems many agree with the retailer’s assessment, including Emma Puddy who wrote: ‘These are a dangerous purchase as it’s so hard to stop eating them!’
‘I can’t,’ added NicHola Ccampbell alongside a series of laughing emojis. ‘I eat the whole bag myself.’
Comment nowHave you tried Aldi’s Garlic Bread Crisps? Share your thoughts belowComment Now
However, not everyone’s convinced, and just like last time around they’ve proven a controversial choice.
Val Oliver slammed garlic as ‘nasty smelly stuff’, while Clare Williams said: ‘Eww they look awful.’
Regardless of whether you’re in the ‘love’ or ‘hate’ camp though, of you want to try them, it’s best to get down to your local store sharpish.
Aldi’s garlic bread crisps are in stock now, but the supermarket warns that like all Specialbuys, ‘once they’re gone, they’re gone!’
Many were shocked by the news – including one who said ‘I just nearly s**t myself’ – but it thankfully turned out to be an early April Fool’s Day prank, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing the bargains will continue.
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
I hope my parents aren’t reading this, but I used to get deeply trolleyed on absinthe during my year abroad in Spain.
My friends and I would basically take over a bar called ‘La Chupiteria’, dedicated to shots, and order a round of ‘absentas’ to kick off the evening. Our ritual involved shooting a shot of the green fairy, white-knuckling the bar, placing our heads between our knees in the brace position until we’d recovered. Then, doing it all over again.
But, enough about my wayward youth. I’ve grown up since then and now have an entirely new and mature relationship with absinthe, after many years of estrangement. Just in time for the renaissance of the drink, might I add.
Back in the day, and by that I mean mid-19th century Belle Epoque, absinthe was the spirit of choice amongst Bohemian Paris, from Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde to Toulouse Lautrec. Hemmingway drank it with Champagne – a cocktail known as Death in the Afternoon – while Vincent cut off his ear while he was on the stuff. So you can see why it was banned in France for the last 100 years.
What is absinthe?
It’s a green-hued spirit created in Switzerland in 1700, made from grand wormwood, anise, fennel and a bunch of other, undisclosed herbs. Like so many of these lethally strong, but delicious ‘drinktures’, they started out as medicinal elixirs to cure stomach ailments. Similar story for Chartreuse.
Absinthe’s popularity grew in Paris to the point where 5pm was called ‘l’heur verte’, which means ‘the green hour’. Just as quickly, it faced the wrath of cancel culture from a ‘moral panic’ at the end of the century France, blamed for the ‘social ills’ of the country and banned there until 2011. Not only there, but Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the United States.
Why was it banished though? Because wormwood contains a neurotoxin called thujone, but then, so does sage. In excess, thujone has been linked to fits, hallucinations and psychosis, and this is what was fixated on. The powers that be separated it from alcoholism, giving it the name ‘absinthism’, even linking it to notoriously gruesome crimes.
Nowadays, the hallucinogenic effects of grand wormwood, aka artemisia absinthium, are thought to have been overstated. It’s basically impossible on the allowed minute dosage of 35 parts per million. Sure, in the past people used to go doolally on the green stuff, but that is now thought to have more to do with its incredibly high alcohol content. We’re talking, teetering on the brink of 74% abv in some bottles. You would die of alcohol poisoning many times over before succumbing to thujone toxicity.
On a lighter note, absinthe has found its mojo again, featured as the headliner on cocktail lists, bringing an element of danger with it wherever it goes. The new absinthe menu at Hotel Café Royal takes authenticity to an almost immersive experience level, Belle Epoque glass urn, sugar lumps and all. Then there’s the Absinthe Parlour in East London and Blondies in Clapton selling ‘absinthe slushies’.
Producers are experimenting with barrel-aged version and even Crème d’Absinthe which is more like a liqueur, is less formidable and has the potential to draw new drinkers into the category.
Then, there’s green, herbal tinctures like Chartreuse and Crème de Menthe that are gathering momentum and guaranteed to give you the green light to experiment with your cocktails at home.
This is the first absinthe distillery in the UK, and it’s in East London, obvs. The founders haven’t just revived absinthe (reference to the Corpse Reviver cocktail, see what I did there?), they’ve reimagined it. This is the grande dame of absinthes, made with the infamous trinity of grand wormwood, green anise and fennel seed, along with host of botanicals found growing wild across Britain. The anise notes are offset by earthy coriander seed, fresh dill, caraway seed and lemon thyme notes. Delicious, and the best bit, it ‘louches’ (becomes cloudy) on contact with water.
They’ve made this in the style of a London Dry gin, plus, they also make a London dry gin. Produced specifically for cocktails, this clean, colourless absinthe cleverly doesn’t cloud on contact with other liquids. The anise profile is super subtle here, in fact you get more of a blossomy noseful thanks to locally-grown meadowsweet and elderflower. Try it instead of gin or vodka, with dry vermouth in an Absentini.
You can serve this drink neat (Picture: The Whisky Exchange)
I have to tell you that this is delicious. We all know that mint and chocolate go together as flavour profiles, but so too does aniseed and chocolate. They blend the finest cacao with their absinthe distillate, giving seriously moreish mint chocolate flavours with hints of liquorice. You could even try this in an Espresso Martini for ultra decadence.
This iconic/notorious drink has been flavoured with extracts of 132 plants, so its almost part of your five-a-day. Famously produced by Carthusian monks, with only two brothers at a time privy to the recipe. The chlorophyll in the plants gives it its Grinch-coloured hue, and it’s so deeply herbaceous as to taste medicinal. If you’ve ever been skiing, you’ll know that it’s a staple in hot chocolates slope-side for a reason (it’s 55% alcohol).
The perfect mint and chocolate combo (Picture: The Whisky Exchange)
Hands up, who associates Crème de Menthe with the sticky green bottle at the back of you parents’ drinks cupboard? So, more power to Tempus Fugit spirits for de-naffing said liqueur, and doing so as authentically as they could. Having cross-referenced manuals in three languages, they found out that it’s a complex spirit that can’t be made just from mint. Pour 50ml Baileys, 15ml Crème de Menthe, 75ml half half (milk/cream) into a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a coupe glass, garnish with fresh mint with mint-chocolate grated over it. Voila, the Mint Chocolate Chip Martini.
Looking for more drinks content?
If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro’s Drinks Column is where you need to be.
Stay ahead of the curve as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape.
Fans have been begging for the change for years, but now they’re not so sure… (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Aside from the return of axed crisp flavours, there’s one thing Walkers fans have spent years begging the brand for — to fix the colour of Salt & Vinegar crisp packets.
Many believe that Salt & Vinegar packets should be blue, while Cheese & Onion should be green, as this is how most other crisp brands distinguish the flavours. However, Walkers does things the other way around.
Some Brits claim this hasn’t always been the case as they think the packets used to be the ‘right’ way and Walkers changed the colours in the mid-90s — but the company has always maintained that they never made any kind of switch.
However, they’ve just reignited the debate once more, after posting a suggestive image on Instagram, showing a blue Salt & Vinegar packet and a green Cheese & Onion one.
Walkers captioned the post writing: ‘You spoke, we listened.’
No other information was given as to whether or not they are actually changing the colours of the packets, so it could very well just be a marketing stunt or early April Fools’ Day prank.
If it is a joke, it’s a pretty big one as the image from the social media post has also popped up on a billboard in London, and a few meme accounts have shared snaps of what appear to be leaked shots of new crisp packets.
While nothing has officially been confirmed either way by Walkers, people have still had very mixed responses to the idea of the change.
There are those who think changing the colours would be the ‘best news ever’, but the majority of the comments showed there would be absolute outrage if Walkers did make the switch.
It’s unclear if it’s a real switch, or just a prank (Picture: Walkers)
An Instagram user named @lahna.rose11 wrote: ‘NOOOOO WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?’ As @dennoe24UK proclaimed: ‘What? Since I first ate crisps in the early 70s Salt & Vinegar were in a green bag… this hurts.’
Similarly, @sanj_tedz said they felt ‘betrayed’, posting: ‘You gave in to peer pressure. Cheese & Onion (BLUE) and Salt & Vinegar (GREEN) World Cup 98 was my first experience for Walkers. Utter woke nonsense.’
@rav_landa agreed, saying Walkers was ‘no longer unique’ as they were ‘copying every other company’.
And @anaztarzia added: ‘Nah that’s genuinely CRIMINAL’.
A few people also thought the images of the crisps posted by @madeinpoortaste looked ‘photoshopped’ or AI generated.
If the post is just a stunt, Walkers wouldn’t be the only company guilty of toying with fans as there’s been an influx of this kind of marketing gimmick of late..
Earlier this month Lipton sparked backlash after claiming it would be axing its popular Peach Ice Tea flavour, only to backtrack on the announcement a few days later – a move that left many ‘in tears’.
Aldi also recently made a joke post which read ‘RIP Middle Aisle’, scaring loyal customers who love finding random bargains in the store.
While we wait to see if Walkers is just pulling our leg, there are some other great crisps for us to enjoy aside from Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion, as the brand recently brought back the beloved Worcester Sauce flavour. But honestly, even that move was a bit chaotic.
Walkers had to issue an apology after announcing they would be selling the crisps once more, but only in one specific shop in the West Midlands.
Comment nowHow do you feel about popular brands pulling stunts like this?Comment Now
The company ended up re-launching the crisps nationwide in a major U-turn, saying: ‘On reflection, maybe we shouldn’t have just limited the sale of Walkers Worcester Sauce flavoured crisps to only one store in Worcester.
‘Fans, we’ve heard your outrage loud and clear. So we’ve decided that your favourite Walkers Worcester Sauce flavour crisps will land on shelves at retailers all over the UK from Monday March 17 onwards.
‘We’re working hard to make them available for everyone to enjoy the beloved flavour – which is now even more Worcesterhsire-y with Lea & Perrins’ iconic sauce. We’re sorry for any distress caused.’
The coffee chain has a new collab with an iconic cartoon (Picture: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Starbucks fans are in for a special treat over the coming weeks, as the drinks chain has just unveiled an exciting new collaboration.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, Starbucks is launching a ‘nostalgic’ new range, which features a brand new drink, and some merchandise for the cup lovers.
Fans of Peanuts will know that in the classic cartoon, Snoopy has an alter-ego called Joe Cool Snoopy, who wears suave shades and a red jumper. But Starbucks is introducing a brand new version of the iconic character, known as Joe Kind Snoopy.
The cute comic character will swap the red jumper for Starbucks’ iconic green shade and he’ll feature on a limited-edition Frappuccino, as well as a cold cup (£24.95), bottle (£19.95) and tote bag (£9.95).
Fans say the new drink is so ‘cute’ (Picture: Starbucks)
According to Starbucks, the new Frappe is a mix of mocha sauce, vanilla flavour syrup and chocolate chips. These ingredients are blended with oat drink and finished off with whipped cream and a one-of-a-kind Joe Kind Snoopy white chocolate topper. Cute!
The drink which costs £5.45 for a Tall, as well as the rest of the range, will be available at Starbucks until April 30. It’s worth noting though that everything is subject to availability, while stocks last – so if you’re a big Peanuts fan, you might want to get it while you can.
But that’s not all, Starbucks Rewards members are also being urged to keep their eyes peeled for another surprise coming up soon as the partnership continues to spread kindness throughout the Spring season. Very mysterious…
Alex Rayner, Vice President and General manager at Starbucks UK has said: ‘We are so pleased to have partnered with Peanuts to create Joe Kind Snoopy wearing the iconic Starbucks uniform in celebration of Peanuts diamond jubilee.
‘This beloved character embodies the same kindness and warmth that our Green Apron Partners deliver to customers each and every day, in their mission to inspire connections over good coffee.’
There’s a range of merch as well (Picture: Starbucks)
Online Starbucks fans have already been sharing their excitement over the news, after the chain posted a snap of the new drink on Instagram and Facebook.
Tina Palmer said: ‘Snoopy drink looks cute.’ As Dean Jayden wrote: ‘I’m so exciteeeed!’
@rhebeka_x claimed she was ‘on [her] way’ to try the new range, as @magicwithclo simply posted ‘oh my’ in response.
Ellen Mangundayao thought it was ‘so amazing’, and others shared their general love for Snoopy and Peanuts in the comments.
The tote bag is £9.95 (Picture: Starbucks)
Comment nowAre you excited to try the new Peanuts-themed drink at Starbucks?Comment Now
The company introduced an improved version of Starbucks Rewards, which they claimed would give ‘customers more freebies, flexibility and choice than ever before’.
Previously, members of the programme could collect three stars (points) for every £1 they spent, but now you receive 10 stars for every £1 you spend.
The chain also introduced new ‘tiers’ for claiming rewards, with four different levels you can reach, in addition to the exisiting ‘Gold Tier Membership’.
McDonald’s recently updated its menu in the UK (Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
McDonald’s caused a stir last week when they announced they were launching a meal for adults with collectible toys – essentially, an ‘adult Happy Meal’.
This new menu feature is part of a collaboration with the Minecraft Movie, and sees iconic Maccies characters ‘blockified’.
While the main meal features classics like Big Macs and McNuggets there were two new additions, including a McFlurry and a dipping sauce.
And it’s the cool dessert that’s really got fans talking all because of its appearance.
The new McFlurry is Apple Cake-flavoured and features soft dairy ice cream that’s swirled with apple and shortcake pieces and finished off with a sour apple sauce.
McDonald’s describes the sweet treat as its ‘most innovative flavour combination in a long time’ and believes it’s ‘sure to excite’ fans across the UK.
However, following its launch on March 26, customers have had mixed takes on the dessert, with some baffled by the way it looks, and others claiming it’s ‘amazing’.
On Facebook, many compared the apple and shortcake pieces to vegetables, with Kelly Michelle saying: ‘Thought that was leek and crouton soup.’
The comment got more than 100 likes, suggesting dozens also agreed, and Catherine Jacinto Dela Cruz replied: ‘Now that you said it, I can see it.’
Similarly, Kieran Scott wrote: ‘Looks like croutons, spring onions and mayonnaise.’
And he wasn’t the only one, as Natalie Owens posted: ‘Sounds yummy but looks like something with a lot of green veg.’
Kathryn Hey likened the apple to ‘spring onion’ as well, while Anna Levermore shared: ‘Looks like peas and sweetcorn.’
People thought the dessert looked like soup with croutons (Picture: Getty Images)
What did Metro's specialist food writer think of McDonald's new Apple Cake McFlurry?
Metro’s specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, was a tad underwhelmed by the menu item.
She said: ‘I’d expected this to be really tangy after learning it had sour apple sauce on top, but it was pretty mild in terms of flavour.
‘The apple pieces aren’t actual bits of fruit, in case anyone is curious. The best way to describe them is that they were the same texture as Dolly Mixtures, if anyone remembers those – they’re like the little square-shaped pink and orange sweets.
‘The biscuit chunks didn’t add much to the eating experience overall, and the cold ice cream had made them quite hard, so everytime I had a mouthful with biscuit in, it was a little jarring.
‘Safe to say this was not my favourite McFlurry launch to date. It was fine, but I’d have preferred the Cadbury Creme Egg one to have made a comeback for Easter.’
On X (formerly Twitter) the reaction to the McFlurry was much more positive, with @EuanPlush claiming it was ‘so f***ing good’.
A user known as @Praig895 agreed, saying: ‘Tried the new McFlurry today. Apple Cake flavour. My verdict – very nice and outside-the-box thinking from McDonald’s, whose deserts had become very predictable. 9/10. My only note would be that the biscuits didn’t add anything to it.’
@A33Mxt334 thought the combination of sweet and sour made the whole thing taste like ‘Calpol’ but they admitted they were ‘here for it’.
As @Mark_Whitelegge added: ‘Wow @McDonaldsUK that Minecraft Apple Cake McFlurry is amazing.’
Comment nowWhat are your thoughts on the new Apple Cake McFlurry?Comment Now
If this new McDonald’s menu doesn’t sound like one for you, then there’s plenty more fast food to try.
It was recently announced that a chain dubbed the ‘McDonald’s of the sea’ is going to be launching in the UK this summer.
Captain D’s was founded in 1969 in Nashville, Tennessee and has gone on to open more than 530 restaurants across the US. It specialises in seafood, with everything from catfish to butterfly shrimp on the menu, as well as classics like battered fish and chips.
The menu at Captain D’s also features fish sandwiches as well as sides such as corn on the cob, baked potatoes, green beans and fried okra. And fans seem to particularly love the hush puppies – deep fried balls of cornmeal batter served hot and crispy.
The chain will be heading across the pond to launch its very first UK site in Kent, which will start serving customers in August.
And Carl’s Jr has also shared a UK update. The American chain, best known for its chargrilled burgers, is going to be opening its first site on April 3.
This will be inside St David’s Dewi Sant – the city’s biggest shopping centre.
The space will be able to seat 70 guests and will create 30 new jobs for the local community, with the chain said to be bringing a ‘West Coast vibe tailored to British tastes’.
Shoppers go wild over the All Butter Croissant, with 122 of them selling every single minute. However, a new item just launched and if reactions are anything to go by, it might be a serious rival for the classic pastry.
Ahead of Easter, Lidl has launched Mini Egg Brownies in the bakery, which cost just 89p each.
The new item features a brownie base, and appears to have a layer of chocolate on top which is covered in pieces of colourful crushed Mini Eggs.
Lidl customers have been raving about the sweet treat, with some hailing it the ‘best brownie ever’ in response to a post by New Foods UK on Facebook.
Tyanna Riddiford said: ‘These are absolutely amazing!!!’ As Helen Tyndall wrote: ‘Had one yesterday, best brownie EVER.’
Emma Owen was stunned, saying: ‘I didn’t think they could get much better.’
And Tiffany Hawkings proclaimed: ‘They are delicious as I just had one.’
‘Okay, I’m a Lidl girlie now,’ joked Micha McGhee, while a few others claimed they ‘needed’ to go to Lidl instantly.
There was one complaint that was made about the brownies, however, and it was all to do with their size. One shopper said they’d had to buy four, similarly Michelle Clark admitted: ‘They were nice but sooooo small!’
Comment nowHave you tried Lidl’s new Mini Egg Brownies yet? Share your thoughts below!Comment Now
This comes hot of the heels of another popular bakery launch at Lidl, as the retailer recently introduced a Brioche Chocolate Croissant to its range.
Also priced at 89p, the pastry features a golden crust dusted with sugar and a gooey centre filled with chocolate.
Those who want to try it will have to be quick though, as it’s only around for a limited time. The same is likely true of the Mini Egg Brownies, as a seasonal product, although this hasn’t been confirmed as of yet.
Lidl isn’t the only shop with new Easter goodies on the shelves right now. M&S caused a stir this week as they dropped new Dippy Egg Hot Cross Buns £3.50 for a pack of six).
The intensely chocolatey buns have been hailed a ‘game-changer’ by the supermarket, and feature a soft cocoa bun and a gooey yellow and white chocolate filling.
The meal deal at Tesco has a new addition (Picture: Getty Images)
Tesco has just added a rather controversial British food to its lunchtime meal deal line-up – as a new side option.
In addition to your choice of sandwich, pasta pot or salad for a main, you can now swap your packet of crisps for a side of what some believe to be the ‘food of the gods’.
The instant noodle snack food has been added to the supermarket’s offering, but there’s a bit of a catch – it’s only available in selected stores across the UK and it’s only one specific flavour you can get.
Pot Noodle is now part of the Tesco meal deal (Picture: Tesco/Pot Noodle)
Customers can add the Chicken & Mushroom Pot Noodle (90g) as a snack in their meal deal, which costs £4 or £3.60 for Clubcard holders.
This side option will be offered in 50 Tesco stores nationwide. (Full list at the bottom of the story)
Speaking about the launch, Madeleine Boulton, senior brand manager at Pot Noodle said: ‘We know our fans are always looking to get the most bang for their buck, so our move into the Tesco Meal Deal as a side is our way of giving customers the ultimate “snackisfaction” and for some, the perfect hack that will ensure their meal deal sees them through the day.
‘Head down to a participating Tesco store now to get your “noo” bit on the side – we are officially the new G.O.A.T snack for lunch-timers, noodler lovers!’
You can only get one flavour of noodles (Picture: Pot Noodle/Tesco)
Despite Pot Noodles being hailed as the ‘food of the gods’, ‘tasty’ and ‘the best’ by fans on Reddit, Tesco shoppers have been divided over the latest change to the meal deal offering.
On Facebook, a few customers slammed the snack as ‘toxic’, ‘disgusting’ and one person pointed out Tesco could have offered something ‘healthier than a packet of crisps’.
However, others were a bit more pleased about the news, with Kev Barker saying: ‘Goodness we have come a long way’, while others said ‘nice’ and ‘I love Tesco’.
The retailer has also been hitting the headlines lately after shoppers spotted a change to shelving in the chocolate aisle of one store.
Comment nowHave your say in the comments belowComment Now
In a bid to tackle the rise of shoplifting, the supermarket had put plastic covers on shelves in the confectionery aisle, which need to be slid to the side to access items. The idea is that criminals will be unable to subtly steal items when having to go through this extra step to get products off the shelves.
A clip of the shelves was shared on TikTok by @kirkpap1, and quickly went viral.
Commenters on the video complained that those who wanted to steal will do so regardless of the new measures. User @matt_an91 wrote: ‘Tesco just making it more frustrating for genuine shoppers to purchase items. A shoplifter will just snap that cover straight off, they don’t care.’
And @b25jmd2 queried: ‘What’s the point in this exactly? Because that isn’t stopping people from stealing.’
Shoppers with mobility restrictions or impairments said they would struggle to do their shopping with these devices in place, with @geniesdream saying: ‘I’m disabled, and that would make shopping impossible, glad I don’t go to Tesco.’
Tesco have introduced sliding security devices on a limited number of shelves as an additional security measure to help reduce theft. It’s not a universal policy though, so will only be popping in stores where the measure is deemed necessary.
Full list of Tesco locations where you can get a Pot Noodle with the meal deal:
NORTHCOTT EXTRA DUDLEY EXTRA PITSEA EXTRA IRVINE RIVERWAY EXTRA MANSFIELD JUBILEE EXTRA ST HELENS EXTRA BLACKPOOL CLIFTON EXTRA BARNSLEY EXTRA PRESCOT EXTRA HANLEY EXTRA WALKDEN EXTRA SWANSEA EXTRA CARRICKFERGS CSTL EXTRA LONGTON EXTRA LEICESTER EXTRA GLASGOW SILVERBRN EXTRA REDDITCH EXTRA STOCKTON EXTRA NEWCASTLE U/T EXTRA WARRINGTON EXTRA DURHAM EXTRA CHESTERFIELD EXTRA CLEETHORPES EXTRA PETERBOROUGH EXTRA TALBOT GREEN EXTRA AYR EXTRA WREXHAM EXTRA HASTINGS EXTRA GILLINGHAM KENT EXTRA OLDHAM HUDRSFLD EXTRA ASHBY DE LA ZCH EXTRA PORT GLASGOW EXTRA BELLSHILL EXTRA MERTHYRT STN YARD EXT NEWPORT SPYTTY EXTRA DONCASTER EXTRA LINCOLN 2 EXTRA RUTHERGLEN EXTRA WALSALL EXTRA NOTTINGHAM EXPRESS HAMMERSMITH EXPRESS GLASGOW SAUCHL EXPRESS HARLESDEN Superstore NEWCASTLE ELDON EXPRESS PERTH EXPRESS GRAVESEND EXPRESS REGENT STREET EXPRESS BRISTOL EXPRESS SWINDON EXPRESS
Lindt is launching a new bar fans say is ‘a dream’ (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
From hot honey to pistachio, there are a few flavours people just haven’t been able to get enough of lately.
The latter is having a big moment, thanks in part to the viral Dubai chocolate bar that’s been flooding social media feeds for months because of FIX Dessert Chocolatier and influencer Maria Vehera.
Filled with pistachio cream and Kadayif pastry, the Dubai chocolate bar was hailed a ‘sensation’ and ‘fire’ on TikTok after Maria filmed a video of herself trying FIX’s product.
And it seems the nutty craze isn’t about to die down any time soon, as Lindt recently launched its own take on the sweet treat.
The new bar has proved so popular, that Waitrose has even had to impose new rules for shoppers buying it, to ensure they don’t run out.
Lindt is launching their own take on the viral chocolate (Picture: Lindt)
Where can you buy Lindt’s dubai chocolate bar?
The master chocolatier launched the chocolate bar in the UK on December 18, 2024.The ‘luxurious’ chocolate treat is made with milk chocolate and pistachio (45%), topped with crunchy Kadayif pastry.
The 145g bar costs £10 and is available at Lindt locations in Bicester Village, Leeds Trinity, McArthurGlen (Cheshire Oaks) and Bluewater, Dartford.
It also recently launched in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and online at Ocado. However, Waitrose has set a new rule for buying the bar.
Customers are limited to just two bars per person, in order to help regulate stock levels.
A sign on the chocolate shelf in the supermarket reads: ‘Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate. No more than two bars per person please… because we want everyone to have the chance to enjoy this delicious chocolate. Thanks for your understanding.’
It’s no surprise it’s causing such a stir though, given the reviews it’s getting.
Over on social media, chocolate fans have been going wild for the new bar ahead of its launch, hailing it ‘a dream’ and claiming it ‘looks delicious’ and was sure to become their ‘new favourite’. Others simply said ‘can’t wait’, and ‘YUM’.
Comment nowExcited to try the new Lindt pistachio chocolate bar? Let us know what you think!Comment Now
This comes after Lindt recently launched a brand new megastore in London’s West End, which could give M&M World a run for its money.
The new shop, which opened on March 21, features the UK’s the UK’s largest Lindor Truffle Pick & Mix, a Lindt chocolate bar where customers can enjoy barista-style drinks including hot chocolates and coffees, as well as exclusive gifts and souvenirs.
Located in the former 6000 sq ft Gap store under Piccadilly Circus lights, the store will also be home to the UK’s very first Lindt Master Chocolatiers, with three three classically trained chocolatiers making fresh chocolate in the store for all to see.
Speaking about the launch, Joel Burrows, CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli UK and Ireland, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing the exquisite taste of Lindt Chocolate to the heart of London.
‘With 2025 marking Lindt & Sprüngli’s 180th anniversary, what better way to celebrate this journey and enduring passion for captivating chocolate lovers worldwide, with the opening of this one-of-a-kind store – something truly unique to the UK.’
A version of this story was first published on December 17, 2024.
