Buzz
Have you ever thought about how strange it is that humans turned finely sliced, deep-fried potatoes into a billion-dollar industry, even though they often don’t taste like potatoes? The potato chip, along with many other mass-produced foods, can now come in any flavor you can imagine. Those who prefer ‘plain,’ ‘vanilla,’ ‘original,’ or ‘ready salted’ are often considered the dullest people around. But with flavor options like those in this list, maybe being boring isn't such a bad thing after all…
10. Lay’s Cappuccino Flavored Potato Chips
One of the frustrating things about drinking cappuccino is that you often end up with a milk mustache sprinkled with cocoa after placing your cup back on the saucer. Thanks to the creative minds at Frito-Lay, now you never have to worry about looking like a milky-faced fool again! You can simply eat your cappuccino—in potato form.
Well, you could have, if the American public hadn’t voted to make it Frito-Lay’s newest permanent flavor. This bizarre flavor was one of four potential new tastes the company offered for public vote (the other choices were mango salsa, cheddar bacon mac ‘n’ cheese, and—ultimately—the winning flavor, wasabi ginger). The cappuccino chips were universally disliked, receiving terrible reviews from both food critics and coffee lovers, despite the milk-froth artwork on the packet being expertly crafted by a barista from the fancy Chicago coffee shop, Wormhole.
9. Beefdrinker Teriyaki Beef Jerky Flavored Soda
You may have heard of using sugary sodas in beef jerky marinades, but what about a soda that’s actually flavored like beef jerky? Specifically, teriyaki beef—originating from Japan, but made in America.
Marketed as ‘surprisingly sweet’ (which, frankly, makes it even worse), this soda seems aimed at those who love playing pranks on their friends. However, considering the popularity of a hot, beef-flavored drink called ‘Bovril’ among older soccer fans on the chilly terraces of English football stadiums, maybe Beefdrinker could tap into that market? Could they one day become shirt sponsors for Manchester United? Probably not—Chevrolet would likely outbid them. For now.
8. Grey Candy Canes
For those who don’t want their intoxicated relatives ruining Christmas, novelty candy makers Archie McPhee offer a variety of bizarrely flavored candy canes. One flavor guaranteed to make your holiday dinner memorable? Clams—yes, the muddy, shellfish flavor. That’ll do the trick.
But that was back in 2018—surely by now, they’ve come up with more reasonable flavors, right? A quick look at their website will quickly prove you wrong. Now you can buy candy canes in ketchup, shiitake mushroom, and for those more health-conscious, kale flavors. Let’s just hope that Mytour readers aren't malicious enough to gift these in their 2021 ‘Secret Santa’ exchanges…
7. Cadbury’s Vegemite Flavored Chocolate Bar
Vegemite (and its northern counterpart, Marmite—essentially the same thing, both made from yeast extract) is known for dividing opinions. Some love its dark, salty, gooey, savory richness spread on toast or in a sandwich, while others swear it tastes like an old, dirty shoe. How could such a divisive product become even more controversial? Simple: shove it inside a beloved chocolate bar.
Cadbury chocolate is likely the world’s most beloved brand (sorry, Hershey fans—the rest of the world isn’t as passionate about it, but Cadbury has fans everywhere). Fans of both Vegemite and Cadbury must have been thrilled when, in 2015, the two brands teamed up to release the limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk with a Vegemite caramel center. Meanwhile, Vegemite haters were probably fuming. How could their favorite chocolate tarnish its reputation like that? From a marketing perspective, it was a smart move; the company saw a massive boost in brand engagement during the limited release. People were talking about Cadbury again—even if it was to condemn them to the fiery pits of hell for ruining their tasty treats.
6. Mustard Flavored Ice Cream
Heston Blumenthal, one of the world's leading chefs, is renowned for pushing the limits of culinary creativity at his 3-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Fat Duck in Bray, England. In such an exclusive venue, dishes like snail porridge and parsnip cereal are standard fare. But what if these extravagant concoctions were mass-produced and sold in your local supermarket chain? Believe it or not, that’s exactly what happened.
Designed to complement savory dishes like soups or served alongside charcuterie, Heston Blumenthal’s creation seeks to add a touch of high-end dining to everyday meals. Or perhaps it's simply capitalizing on the pretentious allure of big-name chefs and novelty food trends.
Perhaps hot dog vendors could take a hint and finally make their mark in the frozen dessert industry, which has long been dominated by those crafty ice cream truck owners.
5. Lay’s Cucumber Flavored Potato Chips
Is there anything more basic than ‘salted’ in the world of potato chips? Apparently, yes—cucumber-flavored chips. China offers a mixed bag of potato chip flavors, with options like 'Beef Noodle' and 'Roasted Chicken Wing' sounding fairly appealing. However, flavors like 'Grilled Squid' and 'Blueberry' are decidedly less enticing. At least these flavors are genuine, with the chip actually tasting of something. But when it comes to cucumber chips, all you get is a mild grassy note over the potato. It’s hard to imagine that it actually tastes like anything at all.
Next up from Lay’s China: Natural Spring Water flavored chips.
4. Scotch and Cigar Flavored Cupcakes
This one comes with a hint of sadness. New York’s ‘Prohibition’ bakery was a beloved foodie destination for 8 years, gaining a loyal following, winning awards, and even publishing a cookbook. Before opening the bakery, they’d sell their innovative desserts at the Hester Street Fair, and customers would line up just to snag the limited edition cupcakes. But one of their recurring offerings was… a bit unsettling.
The ‘Scotch and Cigar’ cupcake was available only in-store, limited to one per customer, and age-restricted. The frosting was made with Laphroaig scotch whiskey, a peaty malt that some people describe as tasting like hot mud—definitely an acquired taste. But the oddest part wasn’t the boozy frosting—it was the cake itself, flavored with molasses, black pepper, and infused with actual tobacco. Imagine the taste of a beer someone dropped a cigarette butt in, and you’ll know what this cupcake was like.
Aside from this offbeat cupcake, the rest of their menu sounded delicious. Sadly, the bakery closed for good. Co-owner Leslie Feinberg shared that “…the dessert scene was moving in a direction that I wasn’t interested in.” While that’s understandable, it’s still a shame to see yet another cherished small business in New York close its doors.
3. Fancy Gumballs
Nobody ever feels fancy while chewing gum, and let’s be honest, it's generally frowned upon. But, thanks to the brilliant minds behind novelty food at Archie McPhee (they’ve done it again!), you can now chew gum and be the fanciest person in the room. How, you ask? Well, because the gum is fancy itself! What’s the flavour? Champagne? Black truffle? Afternoon tea?
Wrong. These gumballs are flavored with foie gras, you commoner.
Foie gras, the French delicacy, is made by force-feeding ducks (though geese were historically used) until their livers become engorged with fat. This fatty liver is then consumed as a pâté.
If the idea of chewing gum that tastes like force-fed duck or goose liver unsettles you, don’t worry—you’re not alone. But if you truly want to embrace aristocracy, why not give these a shot? Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try some veal-flavored vape liquid instead.
2. Just A Normal Beer From Iceland
Founded in 2012, Brugghus Steðja produces a variety of beers using pure Icelandic water from their family-owned spring, said to be among the finest on Earth. But, hold on, there's also their infamous whale testicle beer. Apparently, whale balls aren't unpleasant enough by themselves, so they smoke them in sheep dung before brewing. As expected, animal rights groups were not pleased.
While the backlash didn't seem to harm the brewery’s sales, the fact that smoked whale testicles are banned in many EU countries did pose a problem. So, in a moment of sheer brilliance (or madness?), they replaced the whale parts with smoked rams' testicles, using sheep dung for flavoring. Problem solved. The 'Steðji Hrútur' beer was born and ready for export, with a much better chance of making it past borders.
1. Refreshing Ramune Soda
What could be more refreshing on a scorching day than sipping on a chilled soda from a beautifully shaped glass bottle? How about one that tastes like curry powder? A real treat for the adventurous drinker.
Ramune has been quenching the thirst of the Japanese public since 1884, when Scottish pharmacist Alexander Cameron Sim introduced 'ramune' (the Japanese pronunciation of 'lemonade') to the people of Kobe.
Over the years, they've created some bizarre flavors—‘cream stew’, ‘kimchi’, and ‘chili oil’ among the most unpleasant. But perhaps none is more jarring to the original concept of a refreshing lemonade than the oddity of ‘curry soda’.
