Quest for the Best Podcast

Thanksgiving was just yesterday, and today you are probably out shopping. And in your shopping adventure, you may see some Thanksgiving seasoned popcorn. Should you buy it? Listed and find out.Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which popped corns are we trying today?* Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn* Casey’s Stuffing Seasoned PopcornWho is on this quest?* Kris - Three best friends that anyone can have.* Nate - Three best friends that anyone can have.* Matt - Three best friends that anyone can have.* Amy - Subscribe!And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Casey’s Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn* Amy - “It tastes like Stovetop Stuffing smells.” - 3* Matt - “Oooh no!!!” - 3* Kris - “Why not just buy stuffing.” - 3* Nate - “Who needs to be fired for making this?” - 1Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn* Amy - “This is much better than the Casey’s.” - 4* Matt - “There is a bit of a Funyun flavor in it.” - 4* Kris - “Whoa! What’s that there at the end?!” - 4* Nate - “Audible sigh?” - 2There you have it. Neither of these receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Every time I go to the grocery store, it is just new chip after new chip. Weird chips, crazy chips, hopefully tasty chips… Let’s find out!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which chips are we trying today?* Beanito’s Black Bean Tortilla Chip* Funyun Hot and Spicy Chicken Ramen* Lay’s Hot Sauce* Lay’s Wavy Loaded Nachos* Lay’s Kettle Cooked Cheesy Buffalo DipWho is on this quest?* Kris - Never go full retard.* Matt - Earl of Chip.* Amy - Subscribe!And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Beanito’s Black Bean Tortilla Chip* Amy - “Nope! Nope! That’s horrible!” - 2* Matt - “They don’t get better.” - 3 * Kris - “That tastes like baby vomit.” - 2Funyun Hot and Spicy Chicken Ramen* Amy - “That heat hits right in the back of the throat.” - 5* Matt - “Quite a bit too spicy for me.” - 4* Kris - “It’s exactly what I thought it was going to be.” - 6Lay’s Hot Sauce* Amy - “Tastes like hot sauce.” - 4* Matt - “I like the flavor a bit better but too hot for me to mess with.” - 4* Kris - “It does have a decent little kick to it.” - 5Lay’s Wavy Loaded Nachos* Amy - “It’s the cheddary part that I don’t like.” - 5* Matt - “This is one of those flavor adventures.” - 5* Kris - “You get hamburger queso, then some chive, then bean.” - 6Lay’s Kettle Cooked Cheesy Buffalo Dip* Amy - “Nope, not for me.” - 3* Matt - “It was eh.” - 4* Kris - “The burp is not any better.” - 3There you have it. Lay’s Wavy Loaded Nachos receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite chip? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

We randomly found some crazy new candy bar flavors in the store recently. Let’s see if these are any good!Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Who are our Questers today?* Kris, stop it.* Matt, aka Carl.* Amy, changing it up.Which candy bars are we trying today?* Oreo Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups* Snickerdoodle Twix* Marshmallow ButterfingerThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Oreo Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups* Amy: “I wish there was less shitty chocolate.” 3/10* Kris: “This is terrible, peanut butter is good though.” 4/10* Matt: “People were raving about this?” 4/10TOTAL: 11/30Twix Snickerdoodle* Amy: “This is really horrible.” 3/10* Kris: “Why?” 3/10* Matt: “That was not good.” 4/10TOTAL: 12/30Butterfinger Marshmallow* Amy: “I do not mind this, I’d eat this again.” 5/10* Kris: “I’d coat this in chocolate instead.” 5/10* Matt: “It’s just alright.” 5/10TOTAL: 15/30There you have it. We give the Butterfinger Marshmallow the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.butterfinger.com/find-in-storeThank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Today we are trying out the new Pizza Hut Flatzz. Let’s see if these are worthy of ordering again!Which Flats are we trying?* Nashville Hot Chicken* Ultimate* Chicken Bacon RanchWho is brave enough to battle it out?* Kris, can’t out pizza the hut.* Matt, wants to argue.* Amy, subscribe!And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!The History of Pizza HutThe history of Pizza Hut dates back to 1958 when two brothers, Frank and Dan Carney of Wichita Kansas, started a small pizza joint with $600 they borrowed from their mom. They named the restaurant Pizza Hut for one simple reason. Their sign only had room for eight letters. The restaurant, which was located by the Wichita State University’s campus, was pretty much an instant hit. Within a year and a half two more locations would open up. One thing that was key to their success was letting customers sample the pizza, since it was new. As soon as the people would try the pizza, they became instant customers. With the success of these first three locations, franchisees flocked to the brothers, wanting to open their own locations. And the brothers kept the fees low so people could easily start them up and rapidly grow the business. By 1966 there were 145 locations.At this time, the brothers were beginning to worry about growing competition as they looked to keep expanding. They partnered with Richard Burke , an artist and architect, and came up with the red roof design to help set them apart from all the other pizza joints. In 1969, the familiar red roof was adopted for all the Pizza Hut restaurants. By 1971, Pizza Hut was the number one pizza restaurant chain in the world in both sales and number of restaurants. And by 1972 the 1,000th location opened.Some other notable dates include…* 1980: The Pan Pizza was introduced* 1984: Book It reading incentive program was launched with 200,000 elementary students enrolled. And who can forget their book it pin and those wonderful personal pan pizza rewards?* 1986: Pizza Hut celebrated the opening of its 5,000th restaurant, located in Dallas, Texas.* 1988: Hand-Tossed Traditional Pizza is introduced throughout all Pizza Hut restaurants.* 1989: First Lady Barbara Bush throws a pizza party for 200 Washington D.C. children during a “Reading is Fundamental” reception, ordering all the pizza from the Hut.* 1994: Pizza Hut becomes the first national chain to offer pizza delivery ordering on the internet.* 1995: Pizza Hut launches Original Stuffed Crust, which immediately set company sales records.* 2016: Pizza Hut sets a world record by making a pizza delivery to Mt. Kilimanjaro to celebrate opening in its 100th country.Today Pizza Hut has over 18,000 locations worldwide.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Ultimate* Kris: “It’s a wet churched up frozen pizza.” 4/10* Amy: “I expected it to be more flat bready.” 4/10* Matt: “It does have a moisture issue.” 5/10Total: 13/30Nashville Hot Chicken* Kris: “I wish it was grilled chicken on it instead of the nuggy.” 5/10* Amy: “The dill ranch is my favorite part of it.” 5/10* Matt: “My mouth’s a burnin’.” 5/10 Total: 15/30Chicken Bacon Ranch* Kris: “I don’t like how the bacon is the small pieces.” 4/10* Amy: “I don’t like that each slice just has a chicken nugget in it.” 4/10* Matt: “The corner pieces are better.” 6/10Total: 14/30There you have it. After trying 3 different menu items from Pizza Hut, Nashville Hot Chicken gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.https://www.pizzahut.com/c/content/crafted-flatzzThank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.Show Noteshttps://pizzahalloffame.com/pizza-hut/https://www.wichita.edu/museums/pizzahutmuseum/history.phphttps://blog.pizzahut.com/our-story/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Time for mOreo Cookies! Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Who are our Questers today?* Kris, getting double stuffed.* Matt, crazy scientist.* Amy, on the fence.Which cookies are we trying today?* Blueberry Pie Oreos* Apple Pie A La Mode Oreos* Reese’s OreosA History of OreosSo the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today. So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Blueberry Pie* Amy: “Tastes like most blueberry things I have had.” 6/10* Kris: “You get the blueberry right away.” 6/10* Matt: “Mmmm Mmmm.” 6/10TOTAL: 18/30Apple Pie A la Mode* Amy: “Tastes like a caramel apple sucker minus the caramel.” 4/10* Kris: “There is something I’m not liking.” 3/10* Matt: “It’s a super sugary Apple Jack.” 5/10TOTAL: 12/30Reese’s Oreos* Amy: “It tastes like a Nutter Butter.” 5/10* Kris: “It has a roasted nut flavor that Reese’s doesn’t really have.” 7/10* Matt: “It is very nutty.” 7/10TOTAL: 19/30There you have it. We give the Blueberry Pie and Reese’s Oreo Sandwich Cookies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.oreo.com/Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Show Notes:https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Coke, Mt. Dew, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper… These are all sodas that have a huge collection of soda flavors. Some good, and some are complete abominations. So, let’s see if A&W can show these other soda brands a run for their money.Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Who are our Questers today?* Kris, patching up his swearing.* Matt, chocolate soda kid.* Amy, I’ll take two root beers please.The History of Root BeerWell the first thing you should know is that the drink we know today is quite different from the original root beers. Root teas and medicines were very common in America’s past. Indigenous people of North America brewed medicinal teas out of roots, barks, berries, and flowers. Sassafras, wintergreen and sarsaparilla were plants that were thought to boost immune function, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, and more. Therefore, they were not used for everyday consumption, but for medicinal purposes.When European colonists brought “small beer” to the Americas, they saw what the indigenous people were doing with roots and decided to add it to these beverages. You see, “small beers” were low-alcoholic beverages that colonists made by shortening the fermentation time of the brew or by re-using grain from stronger beers.In the 1870s everything changed however, thanks to pharmacist Charles E. Hires. Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires discovered a recipe for an herbal tea while in New Jersey. Not long after, he began selling a dry version of the tea blend but it had to be mixed with water, sugar, and yeast and left to ferment for the carbonation process to take place. Hires began working on a liquid formulation for a carbonated root beer beverage shortly after, with the goal to be more appealing to the masses. His concoction contained more than 25 herbs, berries, and roots that Hires used to flavor carbonated soda water. Hires introduced his root beer to the public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial exhibition where it was a huge hit. In 1893, the Hires family sold and distributed their first bottled root beer.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!A&W Root beer Ice Cream Sundae* Amy: “It fits the bill for Ice Cream Sundae.” 4/10* Kris: “I wish it had more root beer flavor.” 5/10* Matt: “It’s a Tootsie Pop kind of chocolate.” 4/10TOTAL: 13/30There you have it. We do not give A&W Ice Cream Sundae Rooter the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!SHOW NOTES:https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-root-beer-1992386https://sprecherbrewery.com/blogs/blog/the-history-of-root-beer This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

You can pretty much never go wrong with popcorn!Let’s see if AMC can keep the popcorn party train going with their microwave popcorn!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which flavors are we trying today?* AMC Classic Butter* AMC Extra Butter* AMC Cinnamon ButterWho is on this seasonal quest?* Randi, the only normal one.* Nate, savory boy.* Matt, pegged.* Amy, damn straight.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The History of PopcornWhile you may automatically think of movie theaters, air poppers, or stove tops, popcorn dates back thousands of years. Corn was probably cultivated as a domesticated crop around 9,000 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2012 that archaeologists unearthed the first evidence of popcorn in Peru; 6,700-year-old cobs studded with puffed kernels.While maize was grown throughout Mesoamerica, South America, and North America, it was also a very important cultural staple for some tribes. Popcorn was integral to early 16th century Aztec tradition. Aztec Indians used popcorn as decoration for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces, and ornaments on statues of their gods, including Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.Early popcorn likely resembled parched corn, which is made by cooking dried kernels in a frying pan. It would be thousands of years of careful cultivation of a few different strains of corn before we would be chowing down on the fluffy kernels we love today.One invention that would ensure the survival of popcorn was the steel plow in the mid-1800s. Soon after this invention, corn became such an important cash crop in Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana, that it was dubbed “prairie gold.” With all this “prairie gold” came innovation on how to pop the corn. Inventions such as corn-popping devices that had a stay-cool handle burst onto the popcorn scene. And in 1885, Charles Crestors invented a lightweight electric machine that popped corn in oil, allowing vendors to travel and to make bank.Popcorn has been a cheap snack for a long time, but to these vendors, it was an excellent source of income. And nothing boosted that income more than movie theaters. When the first wave of theaters opened in the 1920s and 30s, popcorn wasn’t allowed however. Actually, no foods or drinks were allowed in an effort to keep the theaters clean and pristine. As the industry grew, and technology advanced, going from silent movies to audible movies, movie theaters shifted their stances to help bring in more patrons and money. Movie theaters started renting portions of their lobbies to popcorn and snack vendors. There are depression-era stories of farmers and vendors who made thousands of dollars during the great depression, which is quite a feat.Some other fun facts about this delicious snack…* Iowa actually is an important place when it comes to popcorn. The first commercial popcorn brand started here. Iowa’s Albert Dickinson Co. sold popcorn under the names of Big Buster and Little Buster in the 1880s.* Popcorn was once a popular breakfast food. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, popcorn was eaten just as we eat cereal today. You may remember the history of John Harvey Kellogg and his Battle Creek Sanitorium health spa… Well Kellog praised popcorn as being “easily digestible and to the highest degree wholesome, presenting the grain in its entirety and hence superior to many denatured breakfast foods which are found in the market.”* During World War II, sugar was sent overseas for U.S. Troops which meant American’s ate three times as much popcorn as usual.* The first microwave popcorn was released in 1981. It contained perishable butter and required refrigeration. In 1984 shelf-stable versions hit stores and in 1986 Americans bought $250 million worth of popcorn.* And the final tidbit of information I will give you comes from the Tiny but Mighty Popcorn Company, in Shellsburg, Iowa. This is directly from their website…* It’s only fair we warn you this heirloom popcorn can be addictive. We feel lucky to be able to share it with you, since this one-of-a kind seed was nearly lost forever. It was discovered by Samuel Kelty in Shellsburg, Iowa in the 1850s, and kept in the Kelty family for over 100 years.* Fast forward three generations to Richard Kelty, Samuel’s great, great, great, grandson, discovering his mother about to pop the last remaining kernels. He grabbed the small jar of seeds, rescued a few handfuls for planting, and allowed his mom to pop the rest.* Richard kept planting, with the dream of sharing this amazing popcorn with the rest of the world. Having trouble with the yield of this rare seed, at the time called K&K popcorn (for Kelty & Kramer), he hired a farmer and soil consultant to help. That farmer was Gene Mealhow, current caretaker of the Tiny But Mighty Popcorn. Never genetically modified or hybridized to become something that it isn’t, this little heirloom, full of mighty flavor, has captured hearts and taste buds across America and beyond.* And the reason I bring up this specific brand because… Shout out to Loraine, our most cherished producer of this podcast, and of course Brett, her husband, and son of Richard Kelty, the founder of the K&K Popcorn business which is now Tiny but Mighty popcorn! We are friends with popcorn royalty!As of 2020, the most popular brands of popcorn in the U.S. are…* Orville Redenbacher - consumed by 63.59 million Americans* Pop Secret - Consumed by 49.16 million Americans* Act II - Consumed by 47.2 million Americans* Store Brand - Consumed by 45.36 million Americans* Cracker Jack - Consumed by 17.27 million Americans* Jiffy Pop - Consumed by 16.86 million Americans* Smartfood - Consumed by 15.01 million Americans* Jolly Time - Consumed by 14.9 million AmericansThe Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Classic Butter* Amy - “This is a nice corn. Not too buttery.” - 8* Randi - “It’s very reminiscent of movie theater popcorn.” - 8* Matt - “It’s pretty salty.” - 7* Nate - “I like this popcorn.” - 8Extra Butter* Amy - “I like the classic better.” - 6* Randi - “Tastes the same but buttery.” - 6* Matt - “This is nice.” - 6* Nate - “This has cut back on the saltiness.” - 5Cinnamon Butter* Amy - “I generally don’t care for sweet popcorn but this is good.” - 7* Randi - “I’d prefer kettle corn.” - 5* Matt - “It’s not bad.” - 5* Nate - “I do enjoy the stank.” - 5There you have it. All three of these receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Does anybody else out there love popcorn as much as I do? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!SHOW NOTES:https://www.seriouseats.com/popcorn-history-movie-theatershttps://www.popcorn.org/All-About-Popcorn/History-of-Popcornhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/277155/us-households-most-eaten-brands-of-popcorn-products/https://tinybutmightyfoods.com/about/our-story/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Some random candy bars! YAY!Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Who are our Questers today?* Randi, prematurely optimistic.* Nate, producing a smell quite fowl.* Matt, will do anything for love.* Amy, covering my s**t.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Butterfinger Salted Caramel* Randi: “Not everything has to be salted caramel.” 5/10* Amy: “I don’t mind it.” 5/10* Nate: “It’s better as a chocolate treat.” 4/10* Matt: “It’s a terrible scotcharoo.” 5/10TOTAL: 19/40Hostess Twinkies Candy Bar* Randi: “I can’t each much of that.” 4/10* Amy: “Not bad, but cannot eat more.” 4/10* Nate: “It’s pure sugar.” 3/10* Matt: “That’s too sweet.” 4/10TOTAL: 15/40There you have it. We do not give either of these the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

There are a ton of different Reeces bars out there. But it seemed like it had been a while since a new flavor has come out and suddenly, they can’t stop. So today we are trying the PB&J cups!Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Who are our Questers today?* Casaundra, getting the side eye.* Kris, bring me all your quarters.* Matt, under pressure.* Amy, kickin’ out BTUs.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Grape* Casaundra: “I’m not instantly repulsed.” 3/10* Amy: “This is like the worst grape soda flavor.” 3/10* Kris: “What is this??” 2/10* Matt: “Who knew peanut butter and Robitussin went well together.” 4/10TOTAL: 12/40Strawberry* Casaundra: “It’s musty!” 1/10* Amy: “It reminds me of something….” 3/10* Kris: “Some of us are puking.” 2/10* Matt: “What is this flavor… PB&Balls?.” 3/10TOTAL: 9/40There you have it. We do not give the Reese’s PB&J Big Cups the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.shop.hersheys.comThank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

What should I have for breakfast this morning? If I was smart, I’d go with a banana or some other piece of fruit. But no. I think a PopTart sounds good. And to really sell it on the balanced breakfast idea - I’ll make them Girl Scout cookie PopTarts. Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!Who are our Questers today?* Randi, can’t even.* Nate, not yet pregnant.* Matt, as always.* Amy, who is in charge of this circus?!A Mini History Pop TartsIn 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Thin Mint* Nate: “I get a little tinge of mint in there.” 4/10* Randi: “This would not be one I would ever have again.” 4/10* Amy: “I would never buy this again.” 4/10* Matt: “Not great texture.” 4/10TOTAL: 16/40Coconut Caramel* Nate: “I don’t get caramel or coconut, definitely not good coconut.” 3/10* Randi: “I did not like this.” 4/10* Amy: “It smells like the back room of a candle store.” 2/10* Matt: “It smells really maply.” 4/10TOTAL: 13/40There you have it. We do NOT give either of these Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.poptarts.comThank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.Show Notes:https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

There have been a lot of kitchen gadgets over the years used to cook your food. Toaster Oven, Pizzazz, Pressure Cooker. Well, Air Fryer is all the rage and we wanted to give some freezer foods a try in the air fryer! Let’s go!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which Air Fryer Foods are we trying today?* White Castle Original Chicken Rings* Farm Rich Crispy Dill Pickle* Jose Ole Mini Tacos Beef and Cheese* Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos Beef and Cheese* El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken TaquitosWho is on this quest?* Randi, sick dude.* Nate, pizzazz me, bruh!* Matt, always needs privacy.* Amy, taquito fan.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Farm Rich Crispy Dill Pickle* Amy - “The breading is too thick and the pickle too thin.” - 3* Matt - “They were bland.” - 5* Nate - “This is not a freezable product.” - 2* Randi - “Not a strong pickle flavor at all.” - 3White Castle Original Chicken Rings* Amy - “I’m not mad at that.” - 5* Matt - “They are okay. Middle of the road.” - 5* Nate - “Nothing to write home about.” - 5* Randi - “This reminds me of chicken patties from high school.” - 6Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos Beef and Cheese* Amy - “All frozen foods like this with beef have the same beef flavor.” - 5* Matt - “That wasn’t that bad.” - 6* Nate - “There is something lacking.” - 3* Randi - “Middle of the road.” - 5Jose Ole Mini Tacos Beef and Cheese* Amy - “This has the best flavor so far.” - 6* Matt - “I wish it was all crunch.” - 7* Nate - “I did not enjoy the texture of this at all.” - 3* Randi - “It tastes more like nachos than the nacho one did.” - 7El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos* Amy - “I love these things.” - 8* Matt - “Come on, those are pretty good.” - 8* Nate - “The extra crunchy is accurate.” - 6* Randi - “I don’t like these.” - 4There you have it. El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Every time I go to the grocery store, it is just new chip after new chip. Weird chips, crazy chips, hopefully tasty chips… Let’s find out!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which chips are we trying today?* Pringles Beer Can Chicken* Lay’s Farmhouse Cheese and Ranch* Cheeto’s Puffs Cheese Pizza* Sunchips Honey Barbecue* Taki’s Churro ChargeWho is on this quest?* Kris - smells like ramen noodles.* Hannah - not 50% air.* Matt - will eat a potato.* Amy - Subscribe!And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Sun Chip Honey Barbecue* Amy - “It doesn’t need the honey part.” - 5* Matt - “It’s the worst barbecue thing I’ve had in a long time.” - 4* Hannah - “It’s sooo sweet.” - 2* Kris - “This flavor of bbq does not belong on a Sunchip.” - 4Pringles Beer Can Chicken* Amy - “It gave me the vomit twinge.” - 1* Matt - “I can taste the grill, or maybe that’s lighter fluid.” - 3* Hannah - “My mouth is watering but not because it’s good.” - 1* Kris - “It smells like vomit.” - 1Cheeto’s Puffs Cheese Pizza* Amy - “It’s if Spaghetti-O’s and Cheeto’s had a baby.” - 3 * Matt - “It’s not the greatest.” - 5* Hannah - “This one wouldn’t be getting as good of a score if I didn’t just eat the others.” - 1* Kris - “Definitely tastes like a mid-cheese pizza.” - 5Lay’s Farmhouse Cheese and Ranch* Amy - “It’s very potent.” - 3* Matt - “It’s not horrible but not good.” - 4* Hannah - “The ranch is only in the smell.” - 2* Kris - “It has the stank.” - 4Taki’s Churro Charge* Amy - “The initial cinnamon is great, but needs more.” - 5* Matt - “I like that it isn’t too sweet, but needs more cinnamon.” - 6* Hannah - “This would make a good cereal.” - 7* Kris - “I wish it had a longer cinnamon flavor.” - 5There you have it. Taki’s Churro Charge receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite chip? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

It’s been a minute since Oreo has given us a new flavor to try… So, I was happy to see these new Chocolate Covered Pretzel Oreo! Let’s give it a try! Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!Who are our Questers today?* Casaundra, resting smiling face.* Kris, ASMR nerd.* Matt, scripted.* Amy, interpretive dance encouraged.A History of OreosSo the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today. So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!* Casaundra: “I don’t not like them, but it’s salty graham cracker.” 6/10* Amy: “The aftertaste is more pretzel than the actual taste.” 5/10* Kris: “No pretzel and large pieces of salt.” 5/10* Matt: “You can tell what they are going for but they are not getting there.” 5/10TOTAL: 21/40There you have it. We give the limited edition S’mOREO Sandwich Cookies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.https://www.oreo.com/Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!Show Notes:https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Who is ready to try some DORITOS?!?!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which Doritos are we trying today?* Jumpin’ Jack Cheese* Twisted Queso* Guacamolé* Late Night Sizzlin’ CheeseburgerWho is on this quest?* Kris - Loves to sniff.* Hannah - Howdy!* Matt - Get your muckbang on!* Amy - Surprise!And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The History of DoritosTo go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, and to an unlikely location. That location? Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”.You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old, stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. And along with being busy, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name them for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.Since the release, there have been over 100 different flavors. Flavors you can get today include…* Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch* 3D Crunch Spicy Ranch* 3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho* Flamin’ Hot Nacho* Flamin’ Hot Limon* Nacho Cheese* Cool Ranch* Spicy Sweet Chili* Dinamita Chile Limon* Spicy Nacho* Flamas* Salsa Verde* White Cheddar* TapatioThere have also been flavors like* Cheeseburger* Ranch-Dipped Chicken Wings* Mountain DewAnd overseas…* Olive* Yogurt and Mint* Clam ChowderIn 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Jumpin’ Jack Cheese* Amy - “That’s not too bad… cheesy poof vibe.” - 6* Matt - “It is like a mellow Cool Ranch.” - 6* Hannah - “I like those better than regular Doritos.” - 7* Kris - “It has a cheesy heat.” - 7Guacamolé* Amy - “It’s lime then earthy.” - 4* Matt - “Not bad, not good either.” - 5* Hannah - “It almost has a mustiness to it.” - 5* Kris - “I’m waiting for an avocado taste.” - 6Twisted Queso* Amy - “It tastes a lot like the cheap jarred queso.” - 6* Matt - “Didn’t taste like good queso.” - 5* Hannah - “I didn’t hate it or love it.” - 5* Kris - “It tastes like the spicy nacho Doritos.” - 5Late Night Sizzlin’ Cheeseburger* Amy - “It tastes like a Whopper.” - 7* Matt - “I taste Thousand Island.” - 6* Hannah - “It’s like a Freddy’s” - 4* Kris - “I can taste the sauces.” - 6There you have it. All of these receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite chip? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

There are a ton of different brands of candies in the store. And it isn’t too often that you find a brand new, well, brand. But at Target I happened to stumble upon Joyride Candies! Let’s see if this is any good!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which Joyride Candies are we trying today?* Sour Watermelon Wedges* Sour Blue Raspberry Strips* Gummy Busters* Sour SmacksWho is on this quest?* Kris - Not the bandaid!* Hannah - Swear jar!* Matt - Feels good about eating crap!* Amy - Punctuation, please.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!History of Joyrideour storywhat's up, y'all! we're JOYRIDE, and we're on a mission to change the way the world eats candy. back in 2022, our founder Tyler Merrick set out to create better-for-you candy that's plant-based, low sugar, and non-GMO. no big deal right?Tyler was looking for a partner and reached out to Ryan in the spring of 2022. Ryan is a YouTuber and former D1 athlete that loved candy and wanted to make better versions of them but needed a partner to help make it a reality. JOYRIDE is based in Austin - and so was Ryan - so things started to come together. together they set out to revolutionize the candy experience and joined as Co-Owner and Chief Creative Officer in 2023.today, JOYRIDE offers delicious, flavorful candy made with real ingredients. that means no junk, no fake colors, and less sugar than the leading brands. from sour strips to watermelon wedges, ropes, and twists, there’s still a lot more innovation to come.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Sour Watermelon Wedges* Amy - “Good punch of sour.” - 6* Matt - “It’s sour! It’s good though!” - 7* Hannah - “I didn’t think the watermelon had much flavor.” - 4* Kris - “Joyride, huh? Pretty good!” - 7Sour Smacks* Amy - “Mmm! That yellow’s really good!” - 8* Matt - “One of the best lemon flavors I have ever had.” - 7* Hannah - “I would like them to be more sour.” - 7* Kris - “They are really making my mouth water.” - 6Sour Blue Raspberry Strips* Amy - “Man… that’s sour.” - 5* Matt - “Too much messing around.” - 5* Hannah - “I like playing with my food.” - 8* Kris - “Middle of the road product.” - 5Gummy Busters* Amy - “The initial flavor is not great.” - 4* Matt - “These are interesting.” - 4* Hannah - “It almost seems like a yogurt coating.” - 5* Kris - “I can’t not eat them.” - 4There you have it. Joyride Sour Smacks receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite candy? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Cookies and snack cakes. You either love the store bought ones or you hate them. Today we have four NEW snack cakes and cookies to try and discover if any of them are worth your cold hard cash.Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which snacks are we trying today?* Trader Joe’s Chocolate & Peanut Butter Joe Joe’s* Soft Baked Nutty Buddy Creme Pies* Selena Gomez Oreos* Chips Ahoy Chewy Ice Cream Inspired CookiesWho is on this quest?* Kris, toppling the tower.* Hannah, armed, and legged.* Matt, I need coffee.* Amy, what is happening?And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Chips Ahoy Chewy Ice Cream Inspired Cookies* Amy - “Remember when Chips Ahoy used to be good?” -4* Matt - “I know what it should taste like, and this ain’t right.” -4* Hannah - “This is why they say inspired.” -3* Kris - “At least make the creme in the middle taste like ice cream.” -4Selena Gomez Oreos* Amy - “It tastes really good, I love it.” -8* Matt - “It smells like one of those stores my mom likes to shop in.” -5* Hannah - “Why does it smell like that?!” -6* Kris - “Does it taste like a graham cracker?” -6Soft Baked Nutty Buddy Creme Pies* Amy - “This doesn’t work for me.” -3* Matt - “The cookie is taking away from the peanut butter flavor.” -5* Hannah - “If you weren’t comparing it to the original it would be better.” -6* Kris - “It’s too much yet not enough.” -5Trader Joe’s Chocolate & Peanut Butter Joe Joe’s* Amy - “It is a little bitter to me.” -5* Matt - “These are rich.” -8* Hannah - “These are so rich I could only eat one.” -7* Kris - “There’s a lot to it, but they are good.” -8There you have it. Trader Joe’s Chocolate & Peanut Butter Joe Joe’s receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite snack? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Cheez It is a fantastic cracker. Cheesy goodness in a nice crunchy package. Plus they have a lot of different flavors - even burnt ones for you weirdos out there. But is Cheez It Pizza something that should be made and sold? Let’s find out!Which Cheez It products are we trying today?* Cheez It Cheddar Jack Supreme Pizza* Cheez It Italian Four Cheese Pizza* Cheez It Snapped Margherita PizzaWho is on this cheesy quest?* Alan, pizza’s done!* Matt, back to the boo box!* Amy, heartburn city.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Italian Four Cheese Pizza* Alan - “Wow, that does taste like Cheez It.” - 4* Amy - “I don’t like that at all.” - 3* Matt - “What are the pitch meetings like for this?” - 4Cheddar Jack Supreme Pizza* Alan - “I’m thankful this pizza has peppers and olives.” - 5* Amy - “The Cheez It is what ruins the Cheez It pizza.” - 5* Matt - “It’s just too much.” - 4Cheez It Snapped Margherita Pizza* Alan - “Yummy.” - 7* Amy - “That’s not bad.” - 5* Matt - “Better than the pizza.” - 5There you have it. Cheez It Snapped Margherita Pizza receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these? We would love to hear your rating as well.Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s get pickly!Which Pickle products are we trying today?* Vlasic Pickle Balls* Dorito’s Tangy Pickle* Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Dill PickleWho is on this juicy Pickle quest?* Alan, born in the wrong decade.* Matt, starts with the balls.* Amy, it’s crunchy.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The History of PicklesPickles got their start over 4,000 years ago when ancient Mesopotamians began soaking cucumbers in acidic brine as a way to preserve them. Throughout history, pickling was a necessity since it was the best way to preserve food over a long period of time.Pickles were brought to America by Christopher Columbus. He liked traveling with them because they could obviously survive the long journeys, and they helped prevent scurvy since they are rich in Vitamin CThe verb “to pickle” means to preserve something in a solution. This solution is often vinegar. Most bacteria can’t flourish in highly acidic environments, so by submerging foods in vinegar helps prevent spoilage. Pickles however, are generally submerged in brine, which is a salty water. The brining method relies on acid’s preserving properties. The acid is introduced by bacteria during fermentation.Throughout history, people have added spices to their pickle brines, such as garlic, mustard seeds, cinnamon, dill and cloves. These add flavor to the pickles while also providing antimicrobial properties to the equation.Kosher pickles are not necessarily kosher. Early kosher pickles may have been made kosher per Jewish law, but today the word is used to describe any pickles made in the traditional New York style.Bread and Butter pickles are a popular option which omit the garlic and add something sweet to the brine, such as brown sugar or syrup.By the 19th century, H.J. Heinz Company had cornered the market using some unique marketing efforts. At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the “Pickle King” H.J. Heinz dispatched some local kids to tempt fairgoers with a free gift if they visited his booth and taste the food. By the end of the fair, Heinz had given out some 1 million pickle pins. They repeated the pickle pin promotion at the World’s Fairs of 1896, 1898, and 1939.During World War 2, the US government rationed pickles with 40% of the nations production going to the armed forces.Heinz was the top of the pickle game until the 1970s, when Vlasic and their cartoon stork who delivers pickles instead of babies took over. This marketing tactic worked, especially since it played on the belief that pregnant women crave pickles.Today, cucumber pickle factories usually ferment cucumbers in large outdoor vats of salt brine. These vats have no cover, completely open to the elements, including bird droppings, insects and other airborne objects. They are left open to let the sun’s ultraviolet and infrared rays assist in preventing yeast and mold growth on the brine surface.Pickles are rich in vitamin C. Additionally, Vitamin A, iron, zinc and magnesium are found in these delicious snacks. The Iron can help you feel less tired. The zinc can help heal your skin. Magnesium helps you absorb calcium. Vitamin A helps keep muscles and tendons strong and helps support your skeleton. Pickled cucumbers are also full of folate which can help your nervous system and vitamin K which aids in blood clotting.The Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American eats 8.5 lbs of pickles a year. And in 2020, around 246 million Americans consumed pickles.The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Vlasic Pickle Balls* Alan - “Gimme more of these pickle balls.” - 8* Amy - “I could get down with these.” - 7* Matt - “It’s the real dill.” - 8Dorito’s Tangy Pickle* Alan - “I could keep eating these.” - 7* Amy - “These aren’t bad.” - 6* Matt - “They take a bit to get the flavor rolling.” - 6Cheeto’s Flaming Hot Dill Pickle* Alan - “Tiny twang of juicy.” - 3* Amy - “It has a pickle twinge but not a taste.” - 4* Matt - “It’s just heat and corn.” - 4There you have it. Vlasic Pickle Balls receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dilly foods? We would love to hear your rating as well.Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.SHOW NOTES:https://food52.com/blog/13564-strange-but-good-9-ways-to-eat-pickleshttps://www.mentalfloss.com/article/648355/pickles-food-historyhttps://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/pickles/history.htmlhttps://www.mentalfloss.com/article/627564/best-zoom-products-video-meetings?utm_content=infinitescroll1https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/diet-nutrition/everything-need-know-pickles/https://tornadoughalli.com/kool-aid-pickles/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Here we go… Trader Joe’s time again! Let’s see what’s good.But first… You may have noticed that we are not being too consistent with our posting as of late. My computer died. And it had all my files. Hurrah. But we should be getting back on track!Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!Which Trader Joe’s snacks are we trying today?* Cookies and Creme Pretzel Slims* Brookie Carmel Candy Clusters* Teensy Candy BarsWho is on this quest?* Kris, not cultured.* Casaundra, let’s get it!* Matt, not again.* Amy, meh.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!The History of Trader Joe’sThe first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena, California in 1967 by Joe Coulombe. The first store was born out of failure. Joe was working for a pharmacy which decided to launch five convenient stores, making Joe the manager of one of them. The venture failed, and the pharmacy shut the stores down. But instead of letting his store go, Joe decided to buy it from the pharmacy and rebrand it.His store was branded in a Tiki theme, which was very popular at the time. The store specialized in carrying unique foods that could not be find anywhere else. And it was an immediate hit. The chain quickly grew to over 500 stores in 42 states.In 1979, Joe sold the company to the owner of Aldi, but stayed on as CEO until his retirement.Why is this store so popular today? There are many reasons, but a standout reason is it is inexpensive. The store does not run any ads, and they do not carry very many name brands, which is a great way to keep prices down. They also only sell what people want. If you don’t have over stock of a bunch of stuff that sits on the shelf, you keep your margins down by keeping product flowing. They also keep their stores small, and operational costs as low as possible. And it works! People love going there because the stores carry what they want, the employees are friendly, and the prices are cheap!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Brookie Carmel Candy Clusters* Amy - “I liked the dark chocolate.” - 5* Matt - “Sea Salt is overrated. Please stop.” - 6* Casaundra - “One is enough.” - 4* Kris - “Not enough caramel.” - 5Cookies and Creme Pretzel Slims* Amy - “I am enjoying this quite a bit.” - 7* Matt - “These are a cut above.” - 7* Casaundra - “The coating is pretty thick.” - 7* Kris - “A flat pretzel really adds to it.” - 7Teensy Candy Bars* Amy - “They smell better than what they taste.” - 5* Matt - “It’s like a Snickers without the nuts.” - 5* Casaundra - “Too much nougat.” - 6* Kris - “It tastes like a chocolate salted nut roll.” - 5There you have it. Cookies and Creme Pretzel Slims receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Trader Joe’s snack? We would love to hear your rating!Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!Show Notes:https://www.rd.com/article/trader-joe-history/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Would you believe it if I told you there are more new chip flavors out there? This is turning into a chip podcast. Not that I’m complaining. Nothing like a good chip.Which chips are we trying today?* Lay’s Wavy Fried Green Tomato* Lay’s Valentina and Lime* Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese* Lay’s Wavy Korean Style Fried ChickenWho is on this quest?* Casaundra, yep.* Kris, yep.* Matt, yep.* Amy, mhmm.And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can be a subscribed Quester. Do it!The Results**SPOILER ALERT!**Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!Fried Green Tomato* Amy: “It’s a roller coaster of flavor.” - 4* Casaundra: “I wouldn’t buy them but I wouldn’t throw them away.” - 5* Kris: “I never once thought to myself that I would try this.” - 4* Matt: “It’s too strong.” - 5Lay’s Valentina and Lime* Amy: “It tastes like Mexican rice.” - 5* Casaundra: “I would have wanted this as a kettle chip.” - 4* Kris: “I’m into these.” - 6* Matt: “I’d scoop some refried bean with this.” - 6Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese* Amy: “That was insulting to my mouth.” - 1* Casaundra: “It is NOT a good chip.” - 2* Kris: “Not for me, left stank in my mouth.” - 3* Matt: “It smells like if a dirty foot could fart.” - 3Lay’s Wavy Korean Style Fried Chicken* Amy: “Who are the people that suggested these flavors?” - 3* Casaundra: “It tastes like bad cooking oil.” - 4* Kris: “It’s getting worse.” - 3* Matt: “All of those turns were the wrong turns.” - 2There you have it. Lay’s Valentina and Lime receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these chippers? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe