Pepsi Max Lime Review

I've become more of fan of Pepsi Max over the years, especially their Pepsi Max Cherry variety. I also still enjoy the Pepsi Max Ginger (see my Pepsi Max Ginger Review from 2017). I love anything citrus flavoured though, and often add a slice of frozen lemon or lime to my drinks if I'm feeling fancy, so I was especially looking forward to trying the new Pepsi Max Lime.

The initial aroma on opening this Pepsi Max Lime was very promising with a lovely lime scent. However the lime flavour itself was not as strong as I was hoping for. There is a sweet lime flavour that I did enjoy but it's not as boldly citrus as it should be. The citrus flavour should be the main aftertaste but instead it's the sweet Pepsi Max flavour that lingers, as a result the lime flavour itself doesn't dominate. Having said all that, I still found this a really refreshing Pepsi Max flavour and the hint of lime is still enough fo me to buy it again - I might just add a couple of extra lime slices next time though.

I'll have to update when I've tried the Diet Coke Sublime Lime but let me know in the comments if you've tried both and which you prefer!

Grocery Gems Review: Pepsi Max Lime Review

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Tesco.

Review: New Nescafé Gold Vegan Oat, Almond & Coconut Latte Sachets

Nescafé Gold has released three new dairy-free varieties of their instant coffee sachets. I used to love these type of sachets when I was younger. I haven't had them for years but the release of these plant based lattes was enough to get me interested in coffee sachets again!

Each sachet is quite large and makes a decent 200ml of coffee. There are 66 calories per cup for the Oat and Almond varieties and 62 calories for the Coconut.

Almond Latte: Almond milk is my first choice of dairy free milk so I was excited to try this one first. It was sweeter than I was expecting with a mild coffee flavour. I would definitely have this as a soothing afternoon pick me up.

Oat Latte: This one was actually my favourite of the three. It seemed frothier and tasted creamier than the other two which made me enjoy it even more. 

Coconut Latte: The coconut aroma is quite strong here and leaves an aftertaste that I didn't really like. This is purely personal taste as I'm not really a fan of coconut milk. My vegan family members all enjoyed this one more than me.

Grocery Gems Review: Nescafé Gold Dairy-Free Oat, Almond & Coconut Latte

RATING: 7 out of 10 for the Oat and Almond.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Vegan:  Yes.
Purchased: Tesco.
Price: £2.50p each (currently on offer for 2 packs for £3.00p). 

Coca-Cola Energy Drink Review

A new release by Coca-Cola is always an exciting prospect, even if it is an energy drink. This new Coca-Cola Energy is available in both regular Coca-Cola and Coke Zero Sugar varieties. The cans are small at 250ml but manage to contain 80mg of caffeine, plus added guarana and vitamins.

I tried the full-fat classic Coca Cola version first. The front of the can states that this is 'The only Energy Drink with a great Coca-Cola Taste' which sets the bar pretty high. The drink itself is much paler in colour than Coca-Cola and the flavour could only, at best, be described as having a hint of cola. 

The main flavour is a generic, fizzy fruity one with vague undertones of melted cola cubes or watered down cola. That said, I didn't find it to be an unpleasant flavour but it's certainly a disappointing one and nothing like Coca-Cola. As someone who has rarely had an energy drink before (perfect for this review I know), I can't compare the chemical aftertaste here to other energy drinks, but I didn't find this one overpowering. I also tried the Coke Zero Energy and that one had an even stronger chemical taste and not enough of a cola taste for me to be able to drink more than a few sips.

It will be interesting to see how popular this new Coca-Cola Energy is with the energy drinking crowd. I can see myself grabbing one of these cans if I really needed a pick-me-up - although I'd probably still go for a regular coffee or even a can of regular Coke first. 

Grocery Gems Review: Coca-Cola Energy Drink

RATING: 6.5 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Maybe.
Nutrition:  105 calories per 250ml (for the regular Coca Cola variety).
Purchased: Sainsbury's Local.
Price: £1.25p per can.

Review: Degustabox Best of British (April)

I do love a themed Degustabox and I was excited to find out what was included in the April 'Best of British' themed box. Inside there was a fab mix of some classic brands such as Heinz and Ty-Phoo, alongside a discovery of interesting new products.

About Degustabox:

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out 10 to 15 specially selected foodie products per box. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved. 

www.degustabox.com/en/

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the latest Degustabox:

Bulls-Eye NY Steakhouse BBQ Sauce: This is a very unique sauce - it's not smooth but has visible onions and peppers. It's essentially a cross between a relish and a sauce. It's also full of flavour and tastes almost homemade with plenty of natural ingredients and spices - it packs a zing at the end with a hint of heat too.

Slim Rice Sushi: This is made using Japanese sushi rice and konjac rice for lower calories. It doesn't need any cooking so can be used straight onto a nori sheet to make sushi. I will probably use it as a replacement for rice the next time I make a stir fry dish.

TyPhoo Tea: Typhoo has been around since 1903 and is a much loved British tea brand. As much as new products are exciting, I also love it when storecupboard essentials are included in the Degustabox - and they don't get much more essential (and British) than teabags!

Robinsons Pressed Pear & Elderflower: This is the perfect combination for a grown-up fruit cordial. My husband especially enjoyed the crisp fruitiness of the pear combined with the refreshing and delicate elderflower. I haven't been a fan of some of the flavours in this range so I was pleased with this discovery.

London Flavours Crisps: These hand-cooked crisps are available in three street food inspired flavours; Pho, Teriyaki & Sticky Ribs - I received the Street Food Pho. All flavours are suitable for vegans. I really enjoyed the texture of these, each chip is thick and crunchy, with a lovely tangy flavour too.

Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry: Ever since I tried these in a previous Degustabox, Candy Kittens have become my favourite brand of sweets. I always treat myself to a bag for movie nights or special occassions. The Wild Strawberry is up there with my favourite flavours, although I also love the Peach and Blueberry varieties too.

Crafted by Cracker Drinks Co: A new brand that I've never tried before. This is a fruit juice drink with no added sugar or sweeteners, packed in an environmentally friendly carton. It's a lovely tasting juice, very a gorgeous tropical flavour and not too sweet. I would definitely buy this again if I was out and about.

Pachamama: These vegan bars are made with a mix of cacao, dates, nuts, grains and seeds. I received two flaovurs; Andean Berries & Raspberry and Cocao & Cashew. The texture is very dense and packed full of ingredients. I preferred the slightly sweeter and fruitier hints of the Andean Berries variety.

Love Corn: These little vegan corn kernals are simply delicious. The barbecue flavour is absolutely delicious and perfectly matched to the natural crunchy corn. This was my favourite snack in the whole Degustabox.

Heinz: I'm sure I don't need to describe either Heinz Baked Beanz or Heinz Tomato Soup as they're both classics. Funnily enough I have never tried the Organic version of the Baked Beanz or the convenient microwavable pot for the Tomato Soup so it was still fun finding these in the Degustabox.

Skinny Food Co - Not Guilty Bites: Interesting little packs of high protein White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate Crispies. These seem to be made with soy flakes and have a similar appearance and texture to traditional rice krispies. Each pack has about six bites and comes in under 99 calories. 

Nestlé Oat Cheerios: Another grocery classic that I buy regularly. Nestlé Cheerios are one of my kids' favourite cereals and we're fans of this Oat variety too.

Once again I enjoyed the selection of surprise groceries in this month's Degustabox - there were plenty of new brands to discover. I was especially happy to find the Love Corn, London Flavours Crisps, and Candy Kittens. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this months Degustabox in the comments below.

For more details:
Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

Review: No&More Naturally Flavoured Water with No Junk

New no&more is a refreshing range of spring water drinks flavoured with natural extracts. Each bottle is free from sugar, sweeteners or preservatives. I get through lots of water each day but I have a few family members who won't drink water unless it's a flavoured variety or sweetened with squash. Thankfully the no&more range brings a subtle flavour without any of the hidden nasties or sugars.

I tried out three of the no&more flavours; Cucumber & Mint, Raspberry & Blueberry, and Tangerine & Mango.

Cucumber & Mint: I often make a refreshing water with mint leaves and cucumber slices so I couldn't resist adding some to my glass for the photo. However, it really isn't necessary! I tried the water before I added the ingredients and I was surprised by just how flavourful and natural tasting this water was - full of fresh cucumber flavour and with a delicious hint of mint. It's a favourite combination of mine anyway and I was pleased by just how well it works here.

Tangerine & Mango and Raspberry & Blueberry: These were both quite similar, providing a hint of fruity flavour to the water. The flavour combinations were excellent and I could taste all the different fuits even though the flavours are so light. They both very fresh tasting without any of the sugariness of a squash or flavoured water. 

Grocery Gems Verdict: no&more water

RATING: 9 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes - especially the Cucumber & Mint.
Purchased: Available at Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Planet Organic, Amazon/Whole Foods.
Price:  £1.29p.hole Foods for £1.29.

PR Samples sent for honest review.

Review: Green Cola (Ocado)

A quick review of the new Green Cola which is available at Ocado and Amazon. It's a product that many have been waiting for - a zero calorie cola sweetened with the natural Stevia plant rather than Aspartame. 

Green Cola is not just free from aspartame but also from phosphoric acid, sodium cyclamate and preservatives. It does list Sucralose as a sweetener in the ingredients alongside the Stevia, however, unlike the soon to be departing Coke Life (see my Coke Life Review), it's also free from regular sugar.  The name 'Green Cola' comes from the green coffee beans that are used to add a natural pop of caffeine.

The flavour is satisfying and refreshing with a strong aftertaste. It's a different flavour compared to other 'diet' colas, not in bad way, but it definitely has it's own unique flavour. I found it to have quite a strong fizzy element too so I preferred to drink it over ice which tones down the fizz and the aftertaste quite a bit. I have to add that my husband really enjoyed this drink and actually polished off most of the cans himself!

I bought a six can multipack online via Ocado. It's worth a try if you're interested in a Stevia sweetened cola but I would highly recommend having it with ice rather then on it's own. 

Grocery Gems Verdict: Green Cola

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Nutrition: 0 calories. 
Purchased: Ocado. 
Price: £2.87p multipack (on special offer - usual price £3.59p).

New Coca Cola Zero Vanilla Review UK

Another day, another new soda. Although vanilla might not be the most exciting new flavour, I was pleased to finally see it in a sugar free variety in the UK. The original Coca-Cola Vanilla has been around for awhile and, even though I enjoy the flavour, I really don't like to drink the full-sugar version.

I bought a multipack of cans rather than a full bottle  - it was annoying that the Coke Zero Vanilla bottles were the only ones not included in a 2 for £2.50 offer. This often seems to happen with new flavours. 

Overall, the Coke Zero Vanilla is a tasty enough drink but I did find that the vanilla flavour was not as strong as I was hoping it would be. It's definitely there, adding an extra sweetness, but it's not the creamy vanilla flavour I was expecting. The whole thing tastes a little bit weak for my tastes (of course that might be because I'm used to adding a little vanilla Monin syrup to a Coke Zero for my vanilla fix!). I'm sure I will still buy the Coke Zero Vanilla again in the future but unfortunately the flavour is not as satisfying as the original Coca Cola Vanilla.

If you've tried the new Coca Cola Zero Vanilla then let me know what you thought of it in the comments below - thanks!

Grocery Gems Review: Coca Cola Zero Vanilla

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Morrisons.

Review: Pepsi Max Ginger

A quick review of the new Pepsi Max Ginger flavour. I've never been a big Pepsi Max drinker, I  do like it occasionally but I generally prefer the taste of Coke Zero. If I do buy Pepsi Max it tends to be their delicious Pepsi Max Cherry flavour. 

I have to admit that I was surprised to find out that Pepsi had released a ginger flavour - it's not the first flavour combination I would have thought of for Pepsi Max. Personally, I've always hoped that they would release a raspberry flavour one day. I also need the Pepsi Max Vanilla that was released in Australia this year - please bring this one to the UK too!

Of course I had to try the new Pepsi Max Ginger straight away but since ginger is not my favourite flavour, I decided on a multipack of cans (so I can give some away if I didn't like it). Thankfully the Pepsi Max Ginger is extremely enjoyable. The ginger is immediately evident and provides a zingy flavour and background warmth. It's similar to a ginger beer but without the heat or kick that a ginger beer can have. The original Pepsi Max flavour still comes through to give it a sweeter and milder edge. 

It's a lovely tasting drink and, whilst I don't think the Pepsi Max Ginger is as easy to guzzle down as some of the other Pepsi Max varieties, it's one that I would still enjoy in smaller quantities. I'll definitely be buying this one again but I'll still stick to the cans rather than getting a whole bottle. 

Grocery Gems Review: Pepsi Max Ginger

RATING: 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Morrisons.

Degustabox September Review - Surprise Foodie Box & £7 Discount Code!

The September Degustabox arrived filled with a lovely selection of surprise groceries. It's always exciting to open up a Degustabox and Septembers box was no exception. I was pleased to find several new brands and products that I haven't tried before.

Discount Code: BLDEG15

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99p, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code has been increased and now offers a massive £7.00 off, bringing the cost to £6.99 delivered. Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the discount code: BLDEG15

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the September Degustabox:

Teisseire Raspberry & Cranberry: I've always wanted to try Teisseire syrups so this was a very welcome addition to the Degustabox. The combination of sweet raspberry and tangy cranberry is delicious in this 0% sugar drink. Everyone in my family enjoyed it and the bottle was finished all too soon! I'm looking forward to trying more from this range.

Hartley's Jelly Pots: These useful lunchbox pots are all made with no added sugar and are less than 10 calories per pot. My kids are not all that keen on jelly so I'll be saving these for my own little sweet treats. 

Cirio Borlotti Beans: A triple pack of steam-cooked borlotti beans which are a good source of dietary fibre and vitamins. I'm a fan of other Cirio canned products, especially their tinned tomatoes and passata, so I was interested to find that they also make canned beans. These small cans are useful for soups and even as a quick addition to salads and couscous.

Say Yes to No Bread Chips: I've tried these in a previous Degustabox. The brand is an unusual one, Say Yes To No state that they want to say NO to artificial flavours and additives, as well as "false promises, fake colours, advertising lies, artificial taste, and photoshopping". Anyway, thankfully they do want to say YES to tasty chips.

I received the Sour Cream & Onion Toasted Bread Chips which are circular bread bites that are full of flavour. The toasted bread base is crunchy and light, creating a tasty and moreish snack.

Cape Drinks: I've said before that I'm a big fan of iced tea so I was excited to find this interesting brand. Cape Drinks are a sparkling blend of Rooibos Tea and fruit juices with added vitamins, ginseng and natural botanical extracts. The flavours are very appealing; Peach & Lychee and Pineapple & Passion Fruit. I really enjoyed both flavours, they're refreshing, fruity and not too sweet.

Chia Bia Whole & Milled Chia Seed Sachets: Ever since I tried Chia Seeds a few years ago, I've been regularly sprinkling them on my morning porridge or on yogurts. I prefer these types of smaller sachets to big bags as they're more convenient for me.

Metcalfe's Popcorn Thins: An individually sealed pack of Metcalfe's Popcorn Thins. These are light and crispy with a satisfying topping of smooth Italian chocolate. The front of the pack says '82 calories per serving' but be careful as the small print on the back says that this pack is actually two servings! 

Emily Fruit Crisps Crunchy Banana: This is another brand that I've been wanting to try for a while. And oh my these are so good - thank you Degustabox! Each banana piece has a wonderfully crunchy and crispy texture, whilst the flavour is super sweet and creamy. I'll be trying out more from this range for sure.

Mrs Crimble's Gluten Free Pasta with Sauce: A packet of gluten free Fusilli pasta with a gourmet mushroom and cream sauce. It's easy to cook in around 10 minutes without much effort at all. I had to pass this one onto Mr. Grocery Gems as I've never been fond of creamy sauces on pasta. He really liked the strong mushroom flavour here and found it a very filling and quick lunch.

Get Fruity Pineapple, Coconut & Lime Bar: Get Fruity is an award-winning fruit and oat bar that has a high percentage of the named fruit. It's made with gluten free oats and virgin coconut oil with no added refined sugars. I tried the Get Fruity Strawberry Bar in a previous Degustabox and I absolutely loved the combination of oats and fruit. This Pineapple, Coconut & Lime flavour is just as delicious as I was expecting - so softly fruity and very filling.

Overall, I really enjoyed the surprise selection in this months Degustabox. Once again, there was a wonderful selection of new foodie treats. My favourites this month were the Get Fruity Bar, Cape Drinks, and the delicious Emily Fruit Crisps.

For more details on Degustabox:

Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com/en

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.