Snacks

[Sabre]

I found this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/25/cadbury-dairy-milk-kraft-takeover

As well as being hillarious. Is it true? Are all american snacks really that bad?

[Mr. Foxer]

He said that Kraft bought Cadbury but he's talking about how bad Hershey's Chocolate tastes?

Also there are plenty of great American snack foods that I can think of, one is Skybar

unfortunately it's rather hard to find in stores.

[Guest FoXXX]

He said that Kraft bought Cadbury but he's talking about how bad Hershey's Chocolate tastes?

Also there are plenty of great American snack foods that I can think of, one is Skybar

unfortunately it's rather hard to find in stores.

Haven't seen those before :S

[DZComposer]

People had the same fear here when Cadbury bought-out Dr. Pepper 7Up. (Dr. Pepper is a creation of Central Texas, and Central Texans were not happy about it being controlled by a foreign company).

But, they didn't mess with DP that much, an eventually spun it off as Dr. Pepper Snapple.

The worst thing to happen to Dr. Pepper was the replacement of pure cane sugar with High Fructose Corn Syrup. The Dublin, TX bottler still uses sugar, and that stuff tastes A LOT better than the HFCS Dr. Pepper. This happened before Cabury aquired Dr. Pepper 7Up.

Also, not all US snack foods are low quality. Hershey's quality when down when they started mass production on a scale that no other chocolate maker in the world has. Hey, when you make that much, corners will be cut for efficiency's sake. Some of the high-quality Hershey products that are not produced in such a matter are pretty damn good.

And then there is Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli puts Hershey to shame.

Also, there is a rule in marketing that states "Don't mess with an established brand." Coca-Cola had to learn that one the hard way (Google "New Coke" to learn that even we Americans have standards [New Coke even led to a Congressional Hearing!]). Because of that, I would be surprised if there are significant changes in the product.

On a side note, this guy doesn't understand American snack foods. The mass-produced ones are not designed for enjoyment as a food, and are not treated as if they are. People eat Lay's Potato Chips (or "crisps" if you will) either as a side, or as something to chew on while watching TV. They don't care if there are chips out there with better taste. Those that are serious about their chips buy the more expensive ones that actually have flavor.

There was also a big stink in the US about Anhauser Busch (they make Budweiser) being bought-out by a Belgian brewery. But, most Americans view beer the same way they view chips: Flavor isn't as important as having lots of it cheap. Those of us who actually like our beer to have flavor didn't give a rat's ass. The only large American brewery that makes anything worth drinking is the Boston Brewing Company, AKA "Sam Adams." But I will give you Brits this: Guinness is freaking awesome beer.

[Guest FoXXX]

People had the same fear here when Cadbury bought-out Dr. Pepper 7Up. (Dr. Pepper is a creation of Central Texas, and Central Texans were not happy about it being controlled by a foreign company).

But, they didn't mess with DP that much, an eventually spun it off as Dr. Pepper Snapple.

The worst thing to happen to Dr. Pepper was the replacement of pure cane sugar with High Fructose Corn Syrup. The Dublin, TX bottler still uses sugar, and that stuff tastes A LOT better than the HFCS Dr. Pepper. This happened before Cabury aquired Dr. Pepper 7Up.

Also, not all US snack foods are low quality. Hershey's quality when down when they started mass production on a scale that no other chocolate maker in the world has. Hey, when you make that much, corners will be cut for efficiency's sake. Some of the high-quality Hershey products that are not produced in such a matter are pretty damn good.

And then there is Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli puts Hershey to shame.

Also, there is a rule in marketing that states "Don't mess with an established brand." Coca-Cola had to learn that one the hard way (Google "New Coke" to learn that even we Americans have standards [New Coke even led to a Congressional Hearing!]). Because of that, I would be surprised if there are significant changes in the product.

On a side note, this guy doesn't understand American snack foods. The mass-produced ones are not designed for enjoyment as a food, and are not treated as if they are. People eat Lay's Potato Chips (or "crisps" if you will) either as a side, or as something to chew on while watching TV. They don't care if there are chips out there with better taste. Those that are serious about their chips buy the more expensive ones that actually have flavor.

Dr Pepper <3

[Sabre]

People had the same fear here when Cadbury bought-out Dr. Pepper 7Up. (Dr. Pepper is a creation of Central Texas, and Central Texans were not happy about it being controlled by a foreign company).

But, they didn't mess with DP that much, an eventually spun it off as Dr. Pepper Snapple.

The worst thing to happen to Dr. Pepper was the replacement of pure cane sugar with High Fructose Corn Syrup. The Dublin, TX bottler still uses sugar, and that stuff tastes A LOT better than the HFCS Dr. Pepper. This happened before Cabury aquired Dr. Pepper 7Up.

Also, not all US snack foods are low quality. Hershey's quality when down when they started mass production on a scale that no other chocolate maker in the world has. Hey, when you make that much, corners will be cut for efficiency's sake. Some of the high-quality Hershey products that are not produced in such a matter are pretty damn good.

And then there is Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli puts Hershey to shame.

Also, there is a rule in marketing that states "Don't mess with an established brand." Coca-Cola had to learn that one the hard way (Google "New Coke" to learn that even we Americans have standards [New Coke even led to a Congressional Hearing!]). Because of that, I would be surprised if there are significant changes in the product.

On a side note, this guy doesn't understand American snack foods. The mass-produced ones are not designed for enjoyment as a food, and are not treated as if they are. People eat Lay's Potato Chips (or "crisps" if you will) either as a side, or as something to chew on while watching TV. They don't care if there are chips out there with better taste. Those that are serious about their chips buy the more expensive ones that actually have flavor.

There was also a big stink in the US about Anhauser Busch (they make Budweiser) being bought-out by a Belgian brewery. But, most Americans view beer the same way they view chips: Flavor isn't as important as having lots of it cheap. Those of us who actually like our beer to have flavor didn't give a rat's ass. The only large American brewery that makes anything worth drinking is the Boston Brewing Company, AKA "Sam Adams." But I will give you Brits this: Guinness is freaking awesome beer.

Hmm. Interesting. I don't know why you wouldn't want nice tasting snacks. Having them 'because they're cheap' seems to defeat the purpose. Oddly, I've never heard of those you mentioned as good. We only know about what appears on TV or on the shelves, so hershies, hooters, mountain dew ect are all exotic treats savoured only by those who travel. Likewise americans don't know what Greggs or creme eggs are. So why would 'the good stuff' not be the ones that get talked about in cop shows, comedies ect?

[Showtime 1-1]

There is a noticeable difference between British Cadbury chocolate and (North) American Cadbury chocolate, even if it is under the same brand name. I'm not really partial to either though, I hardy ever eat the stuff!

[DZComposer]

Uhm, we get Cadbury Creme Eggs over here. I don't know if they aired these in the UK, but the TV commercials for them here featured rabbits that clucked like chickens, and marketed them as Easter candy.

As far as products in TV shows, well, companies pay lots and lots of money for the characters to use their products. If you watch American TV and Movies carefully, you will notice that the company logos on products are not obscured (IE, when a character drinks a soda can, the logo faces the camera, and all of the sodas consumed by the characters are made by the same company, usually Pepsico or The Coca Cola Company) and are sometimes enlarged (I'm thinking of the huge Dell logos on TV/Movie computers...).

[Sabre]

Uhm, we get Cadbury Creme Eggs over here. I don't know if they aired these in the UK, but the TV commercials for them here featured rabbits that clucked like chickens, and marketed them as Easter candy.

As far as products in TV shows, well, companies pay lots and lots of money for the characters to use their products. If you watch American TV and Movies carefully, you will notice that the company logos on products are not obscured (IE, when a character drinks a soda can, the logo faces the camera, and all of the sodas consumed by the characters are made by the same company, usually Pepsico or The Coca Cola Company) and are sometimes enlarged (I'm thinking of the huge Dell logos on TV/Movie computers...).

I'm not talking about product placement. (That's mostly a film thing anyway) I'm just talking about people who mention it in passing, ect. It's not just TV either. I was giving an easy generalization.

For me, the worst product placment in a film was Ironman, and a more recent (but not as bad) entry was Book of Eli, which had wipes from a fast food place (made sence) and mobile phone ads (no sence at all)

[Sabre]

What's Gatorade and flintstone vitamins like?

[DZComposer]

You don't understand American film: No product is mentioned "in passing." Every product mentioned is bought screen time.

Gatorade has kind of a watered-down taste, but they've somehow figured out how to make it taste better when you're physically active. I wouldn't expect the taste to be radically different from the "Lucozade" or "Accelerade" products you have over in the UK. Appearently they sell Accelerade in the US. I guess I'll pick up one and a Gatorade and let you know my findings. Though apparently Gatorade started selling in the UK in 2008. It is a Pepsi product, so I expect it to be available internationally.

I haven't had Flintstone's vitamins in years, but I remember them being bland (artificial flavors with vague resemblance to what they supposedly taste like) and chalky. You're not missing anything with those.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

People had the same fear here when Cadbury bought-out Dr. Pepper 7Up. (Dr. Pepper is a creation of Central Texas, and Central Texans were not happy about it being controlled by a foreign company).

But, they didn't mess with DP that much, an eventually spun it off as Dr. Pepper Snapple.

The worst thing to happen to Dr. Pepper was the replacement of pure cane sugar with High Fructose Corn Syrup. The Dublin, TX bottler still uses sugar, and that stuff tastes A LOT better than the HFCS Dr. Pepper. This happened before Cabury aquired Dr. Pepper 7Up.

Also, not all US snack foods are low quality. Hershey's quality when down when they started mass production on a scale that no other chocolate maker in the world has. Hey, when you make that much, corners will be cut for efficiency's sake. Some of the high-quality Hershey products that are not produced in such a matter are pretty damn good.

And then there is Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli puts Hershey to shame.

Also, there is a rule in marketing that states "Don't mess with an established brand." Coca-Cola had to learn that one the hard way (Google "New Coke" to learn that even we Americans have standards [New Coke even led to a Congressional Hearing!]). Because of that, I would be surprised if there are significant changes in the product.

On a side note, this guy doesn't understand American snack foods. The mass-produced ones are not designed for enjoyment as a food, and are not treated as if they are. People eat Lay's Potato Chips (or "crisps" if you will) either as a side, or as something to chew on while watching TV. They don't care if there are chips out there with better taste. Those that are serious about their chips buy the more expensive ones that actually have flavor.

There was also a big stink in the US about Anhauser Busch (they make Budweiser) being bought-out by a Belgian brewery. But, most Americans view beer the same way they view chips: Flavor isn't as important as having lots of it cheap. Those of us who actually like our beer to have flavor didn't give a rat's ass. The only large American brewery that makes anything worth drinking is the Boston Brewing Company, AKA "Sam Adams." But I will give you Brits this: Guinness is freaking awesome beer.

^ this, through and through, especially with the Ghirardhelli chocs...damn you Hershey...Hershey fired all its U.S. workers and sent the plant down to Mexico!  Lotsa these snack food companies did that.

America doesn't make much good stuff any more, if they make/made anything good at all.  Heck, we Americans don't make anything anymore except for autistic kids, and fat people.

[Mr. Krystal]

Even though Gatorade is basically flavored water, I find it too strong. Whatever they put in it gives me a slight burning sensation as it goes down my throat. Vitamin Water, on the other hand, is meant to be a healthy, vitamin-infused water. It's like watered down Gatorade, and just perfect for me. I would never drink something for its health benefits, they actually taste good. Too bad they are so expensive. I would make my own if I could.

[Guest FoXXX]

Even though Gatorade is basically flavored water, I find it too strong. Whatever they put in it gives me a slight burning sensation as it goes down my throat. Vitamin Water, on the other hand, is meant to be a healthy, vitamin-infused water. It's like watered down Gatorade, and just perfect for me. I would never drink something for its health benefits, they actually taste good. Too bad they are so expensive. I would make my own if I could.

wth is vitamin water? lol...

[Asper Sarnoff]

America doesn't make much good stuff any more, if they make/made anything good at all.  Heck, we Americans don't make anything anymore except for autistic kids, and fat people.

Credit where credit is due. I find the cars you make when you're at your best, absoluetly excellent.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Credit where credit is due. I find the cars you make when you're at your best, absolutely excellent.

True, I mean, I love Jeeps (too bad Chrysler sold out to Fix-It-Again-Tony of Italy )

As for American snacks, there's still good ol' Charlie Chips products, and stuff from "The Vermont Country Store" catalogue (like those Boston Fruit Slices) and there's Hansen's Cane Soda, one of the few sodas left that doesn't utilize that insidious high fructose corn syrup

[ThePointingMan]

Gatorade's gross, but I've never had those Flintstones gummys. also, that guys got good taste, he recognized the main ingredient in Hershey, regurgitated caster sugar.

[DZComposer]

wth is vitamin water? lol...

http://www.energybrands.com/ (This site is terrible. Piss-poor flash interface. Flash pages are bad enough, but this takes it to a new level of crap.)

Water infused with vitamins and a flavor additive. I don't like it, the flavors don't taste like what they claim to be on top of tasting watered down.

Energy Brands is a Coca-Cola brand, BTW.

[Guest FoXXX]

http://www.energybrands.com/ (This site is terrible. Piss-poor flash interface. Flash pages are bad enough, but this takes it to a new level of crap.)

Water infused with vitamins and a flavor additive. I don't like it, the flavors don't taste like what they claim to be on top of tasting watered down.

Energy Brands is a Coca-Cola brand, BTW.

I'm not going to try to navigate through that site, anyways, people gotta drink expensive shit just to get vitamins they need? lol...

[Mr. Krystal]

Water infused with vitamins and a flavor additive. I don't like it, the flavors don't taste like what they claim to be on top of tasting watered down.

The complaint that flavored water is too "watered down" is lul-worthy.

[Sabre]

You don't understand American film: No product is mentioned "in passing." Every product mentioned is bought screen time.

Gatorade has kind of a watered-down taste, but they've somehow figured out how to make it taste better when you're physically active. I wouldn't expect the taste to be radically different from the "Lucozade" or "Accelerade" products you have over in the UK. Appearently they sell Accelerade in the US. I guess I'll pick up one and a Gatorade and let you know my findings. Though apparently Gatorade started selling in the UK in 2008. It is a Pepsi product, so I expect it to be available internationally.

I haven't had Flintstone's vitamins in years, but I remember them being bland (artificial flavors with vague resemblance to what they supposedly taste like) and chalky. You're not missing anything with those.

Hmm. I didn't know that. I thought it would be more like the car problem in games. ie. You have to pay the company to show them, but they pay you to show them ifthey come to you. Although I doubt they pay bloggers, podcasters and the like.

Credit where credit is due. I find the cars you make when you're at your best, absoluetly excellent.

Strange. In Britain American cars have a reputation for being thirsty, cheaply made and generally bad. There is a running joke that americans don't know what a corner is.

^ this, through and through, especially with the Ghirardhelli chocs...damn you Hershey...Hershey fired all its U.S. workers and sent the plant down to Mexico!  Lotsa these snack food companies did that.

America doesn't make much good stuff any more, if they make/made anything good at all.  Heck, we Americans don't make anything anymore except for autistic kids, and fat people.

I'm autistic, and while it has it's downsides, overall, it's not bad. Depending on how crazy you want to get, it can range from a crippling illness that must be cured at all costs, to the next stage of human evolution. Kind like X-men without the eye beams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children

[Asper Sarnoff]

Strange. In Britain American cars have a reputation for being thirsty, cheaply made and generally bad. There is a running joke that americans don't know what a corner is.

Top Gear has a lot to answer for. No program on the TV is as fun to watch, and as biased and misleeding at some aspects.

Fuel efficency isn't as bad as one might think actually. The tourque advantage a bigger engine gives allows the driver to run in a higher gear and at lower revs than one can do in a european and japanese car. And the slower the engine turns around, the less fuel it uses.

It really doesn't bother me if a car is cheaply made. Absolutely every car a normal person can afford these days is massproduced just like any other consumers goods. What matters with build quality is how reliable it is, and for one who does most of the work himself on his car, how easy it is to fix problems once they turn up.

Here, any european car fall completely trough. Most VAG products that are more than a couple of years old have more serious problems than my 33 year old american car, and more of them.

As a general rule of thumb, american cars are less complex, and with more overdimensioned parts than the equivelant european car.

I won't say cornering is that bad. But then my experience mostly steem from what is called americas only true sports car. That hasn't stopped Clarkson from hitting on the previous generations a lot tough.

I'd love to see a 60's british sportscar that can keep up with a big block Corvette around a track.

[Sabre]

Top Gear has a lot to answer for. No program on the TV is as fun to watch, and as biased and misleeding at some aspects.

Fuel efficency isn't as bad as one might think actually. The tourque advantage a bigger engine gives allows the driver to run in a higher gear and at lower revs than one can do in a european and japanese car. And the slower the engine turns around, the less fuel it uses.

It really doesn't bother me if a car is cheaply made. Absolutely every car a normal person can afford these days is massproduced just like any other consumers goods. What matters with build quality is how reliable it is, and for one who does most of the work himself on his car, how easy it is to fix problems once they turn up.

Here, any european car fall completely trough. Most VAG products that are more than a couple of years old have more serious problems than my 33 year old american car, and more of them.

As a general rule of thumb, american cars are less complex, and with more overdimensioned parts than the equivelant european car.

I won't say cornering is that bad. But then my experience mostly steem from what is called americas only true sports car. That hasn't stopped Clarkson from hitting on the previous generations a lot tough.

I'd love to see a 60's british sportscar that can keep up with a big block Corvette around a track.

hmm. I think that might be the problem then. As a genral rule of thumb, american cars are only good in a straight line on a smooth road. Put them in any real world situation here and they fail missrably.

The idea of 'whos faster round a track' is again another american cliche that, to us at least, they always lose. In a drag race, no question. On a 'proper' race track with corners and the like, the euros win.

[Asper Sarnoff]

hmm. I think that might be the problem then. As a genral rule of thumb, american cars are only good in a straight line on a smooth road. Put them in any real world situation here and they fail missrably.

The idea of 'whos faster round a track' is again another american cliche that, to us at least, they always lose. In a drag race, no question. On a 'proper' race track with corners and the like, the euros win.

You see, in the real world, I at least, don't try to race with anybody I meet. I go around at corners at the speed the conditions or speed limit allows me to, whatever is lowest.

On the performance aspect, if there was an idiot in a "ricer" whic were getting up on my side, constantly revving their engine and spoiling for a fight, I'd leave him for dead at the straights. The roads here are so narrow and windy, that even the most stupid wannabe street racers won't dare to pass anyone in the twisties. And with me having all the power on the straights, american cars win in real life.

And when it comes to track cars, america is definatively not to be sniffed at. Around the "Ring", the Viper ACR and the Corvette ZR1 are among the fastest, and if you only look at those which one could drive normally on the streets as well, only the ZR1 of those at the top would be any good at all.

The fastest four door saloon is a title usually claimed by one of the schizofrenic cars of AMG Mercedes, M-BMW or RS-Audi, nowadays, the Cadillac CTS-V holds it. And several independent magazines have said it's a better handling car than even the BMW M5, which has been considered the benchmark of the class.

I've been to a lot of car events around the few racetracks we have here in Norway. And despite there being tuned BMW's with over thousand horsepowers participating, there is always a bonkers yank which whips their asses porperly good.