Is Pringles Kidding Us?
Pringles, under their new ownership under Kellogg's, has announced "new holiday flavors." To be honest, we have not tasted them - in fact we doubt they will send to us for a new product hit or miss review knowing the probable outcome. The flavors include Pumpkin Pie Spice, White Chocolate Peppermint and Cinnamon & Sugar. Seriously?
Fred Bauer "invented" Pringles when he was at Procter & Gamble. In 2008, he passed away at age 90, and at his request a portion of his cremated ashes were placed in a Pringles container and buried in his grave. Otherwise, if he had heard about these flavors, he would probably be turning over.
Kellogg's is a brilliant breakfast cereal company - especially in the kid's category. But these flavors seem to take the "holiday flavor" impulse opportunity to unchartered taste experiences. To be fair, reports peg about two-thirds of the brand's sales to overseas markets; perhaps the palates of populations in other countries would embrace a potato-based white chocolate peppermint snack.
Yes, snacking is hot - and yes more Americans are snacking more. In fact, according to NPD Group, the number of "snacking occasions" throughout the day in the U.S. is set to increase by 19 percent by 2018 - a forecast that will probably come true, unless a majority of the snackers out there get turned off by tasting these flavors.
Have you tried these flavors? What do you think of this idea? And what unusual flavors would you think might actually make sense for Pringles to try (before it's too late!)?
Add your comments below:
Comments (7)
Jennifer Lindsey:
Oct 16, 2012 at 08:53 AM
I think the cinnamon and sugar plus the pumpkin spice may be good . Probably won't attempt the white chocolate peppermint.
At least they are being bold !
Patty Mahan:
Oct 16, 2012 at 11:01 AM
My Gen Y son can't wait to try them although he will pass on the pumpkin one.
Kristina Hudson:
Oct 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM
"No thanks Pringles! The only time I like potato chips to be sweet is if they are dipped in chocolate- or in caramel and them chocolate. What I wish they would do is go back to their original flavors. I used to LOVE the cheese flavored chips but it seems they changed the flavoring at some point and now they aren't nearly as good. I rarely buy them at all anymore."
Deanya Lattimore:
Oct 16, 2012 at 03:59 PM
The cinnamon and sugar is already done on chips at Mexican restaurants, and you probably love them there. And if you've ever tried sweet potato chips, you know they are mmm mmm good, so I'm also open to the pumpkin flavor. And choco-dipped pretzels are deeelicious--salt and chocolate--so I'm excited too by the peppermint flavor.
I sure hope that they do send them to you; I can't wait to watch you eat your words! :-)
(heart The Lempert Report and Supermarket Guru; Phil, keep up the good work!)
SLM:
Oct 17, 2012 at 02:33 AM
My feelings are mixed. They sound more suited for Pop Tarts, not potato chips (and the pumpkin pie and gingerbread Pop Tarts were very disappointing, and did not deliver on flavor). Also the reviews of the white chocolate peppermint were DREADFUL and make me want to run the other way. BUT last year I spent months trying to hunt down gingerbread and cocoa pita chips (the cocoa was better) and I like Food Should Taste Good chocolate tortilla chips. I enjoy apple chips, sweet potato chips, thin banana chips, etc. So it's not that odd a concept. I am intrigued by the Pumpkin Pie spice, turned off by the limited availability (Walmart ONLY?!) and nervous by the review that it was the best but would only eat one chip. I like the idea but I don't trust Kelloggs to pull it off properly. Maybe they could be a gag product alongside the Jones 'holiday edition' sodas?
db:
Oct 18, 2012 at 04:57 PM
I'd be willing to try them but, no thanks! To me, potato chips should have savory or salty flavors on them not sweet! I do not enjoy a product that is meant to be savory and when I try it, a sweet taste is present with the savory flavors 'trying' to come through!
Now, if by white chocolate peppermint chips they mean a wafer shaped like a pringles potato chip but consisting of ingredients typically used in sweet wafer cookies that would be a fun treat!
Snack companies whose manufacture is focused on savory snacks such as chips and pretzels need to know that a separate product with sweet vs. savory flavors needs to made of completely different ingredients and labeled as such. I think they would have more snack 'hits' if they took this bit of input from a customer who enjoys both types of snacks but not if they are created of confusing flavors!
SLM:
Jan 01, 2013 at 03:07 AM
I finally tried them at Christmas because when local Walmarts didn't carry ANY of the holiday Pringles, my sister got them from the store near her and brought them to me. As I feared, they are more concept than product, low on flavor, just another basic chip.
I did manage to find gingerbread Oreos (another Walmart exclusive?) They are nice, not overly spiced either, but more flavorful than Holiday Pringles.
Add a Comment