Latest news with #McVities
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Beloved luxury chocolate brand RETURNS to supermarkets after five years with new viral bar
A LUXURY chocolate brand is marking its return to supermarkets with a limited edition flavour. Godiva, which is exclusively sold at high-end retailers like Harrods, will be flogging its Dubai-style chocolate bars at Tesco. Dubai-style chocolate features layers of rich pistachio cream and crunchy kadayif pastry, encased in smooth milk chocolate. The 100-year-old Belgian brand is now owned by Pladis, which also has McVities and Jacob's in its repertoire. It was quick to jump on the Dubai chocolate bandwagon and in 2024, Pladis Türkiye launched it's own range which sold 3,000 tones in the first four months of launching. Godiva goodies haven't been available to the masses for five years and were only available in Harrods, Selfridges, and its Covent Garden flagship store. A Godiva spokesperson, said: 'Global influences are increasingly reshaping the snacking industry, as consumers seek more adventurous and authentic culinary experiences. "The popularity of Dubai-style chocolate is a clear example of how international flavours are crossing borders and becoming mainstream." Godiva's Dubai-inspired chocolate bar will be £10 or £7.95 for Clubcard customers in Tesco stores across the country. Back in 2017, Sainsbury's customers were treated to the luxury Belgian chocolate for just £1.50 per bar. The Godiva Masterpieces range included three chocolate bars - two milk chocolate treats with a smooth caramel filling and a creamy hazelnut praline filling and one dark chocolate bar with a ganache filling. This comes as Lidl launched a Dubai Style Chocolate Cream spread and it was in such high demand that the store placed a three-jar-per-person limit. The Della Sante Dubai Style Chocolate Cream spread combines the flavours of the insanely popular chocolate but in spreadable form. That means you can slather it on toast, pile it onto pancakes, dip fruit in it or even spoon it from the jar. The sweet and salty pots cost £4.99 or £3.99 for Lidl Plus members, which is far more expensive than the store's other chocolate spreads. One shared a snap of the toast topping on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group. Followers flocked to the comment section to tag friends and family in the post. Lidl has said it will be available "while stocks last" - so you may want to get in quick. When Lidl launched its Dubai-style chocolate bar back in March, shoppers were queuing outside shops to get a taste. The Sun spotted a queue outside the Gosport, Hampshire, store at 8am with shoppers eagerly waiting for the doors to open. Chocolate fans have been going crazy for supermarket dupes of the expensive Dubai chocolate bars and they've been going viral on social media. Lidl's version was the cheapest when it was brought out at £3.99. 2
Metro
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Jaffa Cakes unveil brand new flavour — but fans say 'not a chance'
Jaffa Cakes have always been a pretty divisive snack – for starters, they're a cake that is shelved in the biscuit aisle at the supermarket. Then there's the fact that they're made with dark chocolate and contain an orange jelly-like filling, neither of which will be everyone's cup of tea. But now the brand has decided to ramp things up a notch, launching a new flavour that's proving even more controversial than the original. The iconic product has been given a 'swicy' (that's sweet and spicy) makeover and now comes in a Hot Honey option. It keeps the signature sponge and dark chocolate crackly top, but swaps out the filling for a golden honey centre with a hint of chilli. Yes, spicy Jaffa Cakes are now a thing and according to McVities they offer an 'unexpectedly delicious combo you didn't know you were craving'. But social media users don't seem quite as excited by the prospect… Jaffa Cake fans haven't held back with their thoughts on the limited-edition Hot Honey treat, with some going as far as to call it 'a crime against Britain'. 'They will do everything but not a white chocolate Jaffa Cake,' an anonymous user posted in response to a snap of them on Facebook, as Phil Cranage branded the hot honey trend 'b******s', and Jamie Burns asked: 'WTF man?' Scott Clarke thought the new product sounded 'horrible', and Christopher Bartlett agreed, writing: 'Not a chance mate'. 'Noo leave Jaffa Cakes alone,' proclaimed Zoe Wallis, but Mel White was a little more diplomatic, commenting: 'That sounds like an acquired taste.' On Instagram, @phoebelouiseshepherd branded the swicy treat 'rank', while @zoemuriel asked in disbelief if it was 'AI'. Others wondered if it might be an April Fools joke and some simply posted green-faced vomiting emojis, letting the image do the talking for them. Not everyone is against the new version though, @newfoodsportteruk reviewed them, saying: 'To me they taste just like a normal Jaffa cake but with a little bit of a kick, not much of a spice just a little tingle in your throat afterwards, however they are nice & different and would buy again!' They then gave the Jaffa Cakes a 7.5 out of 10 rating. Abigail Olivia and Simon Garnett admitted they were both 'curious' to try the new flavour and Nick Gordon was on the same page, adding: 'Mmm will have to try these as the Cola Bottle ones were epic. The best of all imo.' Jessica Woolfrey, marketing manager for Jaffa Cakes, says: 'At Jaffa Cakes, we're known for doing things a little differently. As the only cake in the biscuit aisle, it makes sense that our newest flavour brings an unexpected twist. More Trending 'We're super excited to introduce Hot Honey Flavour to the Jaffa Cakes family – tapping into the viral 'swicy' trend with a perfectly balanced sweet-meets-heat flavour.' Currently thew new Jaffa Cakes are only available to buy in Asda stores nationwide and they cost £1.50 for a box of 10. View More » However, at the end of July the product will be rolling out more widely to other supermarkets and convenience stores, so keep an eye out for them. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Unexpected UK supermarket beats Tesco Clubcard prices for large weekly shop MORE: Your favourite places to eat in Europe that aren't the usual tourist traps MORE: M&S shoppers drooling over 'naughty' new desserts as 100 products added to range Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Biscuit lovers are only just realising the surprising reason behind Hobnobs' unusual name
It's one of the UK's most well-loved biscuits, but only a handful of Britons probably know how Hobnobs got their rather unusual name. A cross between a flapjack and a biscuit, the popular McVities treat has remained one of Britain's favourite snacks since hitting supermarket shelves in 1985. Now, one of its inventors has revealed the story of why the iconic biscuit was named a Hobnob in a new interview. Appearing on Channel 4 's The Secret World of Biscuits, Pam Langworthy, who helped develop and market Hobnobs, recalled the trial group's first reaction to sampling the treat. Unlike it's crunchy predecessors, such as Rich Tea and Digestive biscuits, product testers were immediately struck by its unique 'knobbly' consistency. She said: '[The focus groups] said [the biscuit] was knobbly, because, you know, it wasn't a very smooth finish in the way, for instance, Digestive or Rich Tea are. And they said it looked as if somebody had made it at home, maybe made it on a hob.' Inspired by samplers's reviews, Pam decided to blend their descriptors and create and entirely new word. 'I wanted a name that was very easy to say and just rolled off the tongue. And so, "Hobnob",' she said. Moreover, the moniker also derives from the British verb 'to hobnob', meaning to spend time being friendly with someone important or a celebrity. But the name didn't initially resonate with everyone on the marketing team, the documentary revealed. Fellow biscuit creator, Andrew Easdale, wasn't convinced at first, and told superiors that he thought the name should be more 'homely'. Explaining in the show, he said: 'There was a sort of I wouldn't say a stunned silence, but there was a, um, hmmm, followed by, 'couldn't you call it something a bit more descriptive, like 'oaty crunchies? I said, 'No, it's gonna be Hobnobs. We need a brand.' The conflict didn't last long though, with co-creators eventually finalising on the decision to award the treat it's 'knobby' name. Hobnobs were first rolled out in supermarkets across the UK in 1985 and quickly became a bestseller. With demand soaring, the brand decided to create a chocolate-covered variety, which hit shelves in 1987. Since then, Hobnobs have earned cult status and were ranked as Britain's fifth-most popular biscuit in 2020. Earlier in 2014, a UK survey declared the chocolate Hobnobs the nation's top favourite biscuit. There are now countless varieties of Hobnobs available in supermarkets, with the most popular being the milk and dark chocolate varieties. Some newer additions include Hobnobs chocolate creams, a coconut macaroon flavour, and an orange chocolate covered biscuit. Hobnobs are primarily sold in the UK, the Isle of Man and Ireland but are also available in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and several European and Asian countries. They were also released in Canada in 2012 in Walmart's British food section. Invented in 1925, chocolate digestives have consistently topped surveys as the nation's most-eaten biscuit. An estimated 8.7 million people in the UK consume McVities Chocolate Digestives every day, according to Statista, with an additional 6.5 million munching on plain McVities Digestives. It comes after foodies were left reeling after finding out the real reason why beloved biscuit Wagon Wheels got its name. Wagon Wheels, invented in the 1940s by William Peschardt (who then sold the patent to Gary Weston) are comprised of two biscuits with a jam and marshmallow filling, covered in milk chocolate. They were originally marketed as 'Weston Wagon Wheels', referring to the biscuit's circular shape while nodding to patent owner Gary Weston. The name was inspired by Wild West cowboy movies that were massively popular at the time, especially if they starred Hollywood legend John Wayne. Gary, son of British MP Garfield Weston, debuted Wagon Wheels 77 years ago at the Olympia Food Fair, marketing them as the 'biggest chocolate biscuit bar' going. At the time, western movies were all the rage, with Wayne's film Red River being one of the highest-grossing films of that year. Weston decided to capitalise on the popularity by naming the new sweet treat Wagon Wheels with a western-style package design. When they were first sold, Wagon Wheels only contained marshmallow, biscuit and chocolate. The famous jam layer was added much later. They were initially made in a factory in Slough, but production moved to another facility in South Wales in the 1980s and it's remained there ever since. Weston's no longer own Wagon Wheels and they are distributed under Burton's Foods in the UK, Arnott's Biscuits in Australia and Dare foods Limited in Canada.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The biscuits you're probably eating wrong, from chocolate digestives to Jammie Dodgers
In Britain, biscuits aren't merely a morning snack to propel us through to lunchtime, they're a cultural cornerstone. According to trade magazine The Grocer, 55 per cent of shoppers pick up a packet every week. That's a lot of crumbs on the sofa. But while our supermarkets continue to offer an inexhaustible range (even including individually wrapped biscuit bars in their meal deals), Waitrose reports that it is still the old favourites that land in customers' baskets most often. Amid a rise in biscuit buying across the board, sales of the brand's own-label dark chocolate digestives are up 35 per cent since this time last year – a trend the store's biscuit buyer, Daniel Skinner, hails as 'the return of our favourite childhood biscuits'. Indeed, the chocolate digestive was voted Telegraph readers' favourite in 2024, above shortbread fingers. So, with so many to snaffle, how are we eating them? We're all well versed in the cake-or-biscuit debate, but the biggest question on our lips is what's the best way to eat your favourite biccy – are you a nimble nibbler or just dunk and disorderly? Chocolate digestives Ranked top cookie by Telegraph readers, though it appears we've been eating them wrong all these years. During its 100th anniversary celebrations, digestive manufacturer McVitie's revealed that the correct way to eat its famous creation is chocolate-side down, so it melts luxuriously on the tongue. Custard creams The current number-one choice for Waitrose shoppers presents two eating options: twist the biscuits apart and then lick the vanilla buttercream filling (scrape it off with your teeth if you must), before chomping the sandwich halves – or dunk the whole lot in tea for a couple of seconds to soften the cream slightly. Likewise bourbons, but it must be coffee or milk instead of tea. Shortbread The biccy of choice for Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage, who uses its classic tartan tin as fashion inspiration. Dunk a finger in tea or hot chocolate if you must, but I prefer to break off small chunks and eat them one by one, allowing time for each to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Penguins Eat them like the Aussies and do the Tim Tam slam (named after the Australian-made equivalent). Bite off diagonally opposite corners of the chocolate-coated sandwich biscuit and then dip one nibbled corner into hot tea. Suck up the tea through the chocolate cream filling like a straw. Choco Leibniz My favourite for serving alongside an espresso and the only biscuit I keep in the fridge (to maximise the snap). Like the digestive, this is best eaten chocolate-side down. Leave to rest over a warm cup of coffee for a few moments and then nibble the overhanging edges, before enjoying the gently melting chocolate below crunchy, buttery biscuit. Jammie Dodgers The perfect biscuit for those who like to take it slow. There's only one acceptable approach here: nibble a full circuit of the perimeter, and then repeat a few mini-munches at a time, until the jammy love heart at the centre is finally reached, to be devoured in one mouthful. Garibaldis The ultimate dunker in my book. Hold your nerve and keep the garibaldi steadily dipped in a mug of tea while the biscuit puffs and those chewy raisins swell; you should manage seven seconds before disaster strikes. Tunnock's Tea Cakes Yes, we're really stretching the biscuit boundaries now. But who can argue against the allure of this Scottish classic? To keep your fingers clean, crack the chocolate dome with a teaspoon and scoop out the marshmallow centre. Really want to go to town? Briefly grill or blowtorch the tops of two teacakes to lightly melt, and then press together to create the decadent 'Tunnock sandwich'. You're welcome. Jaffa Cakes Controversial here not only because of their legal categorisation as cake, but because of the debate surrounding their potential scoffing methods. Some will recall the playful 'full moon' advertisement from the 1990s and replicate a two-bite (or half-moon to total eclipse, if you will) technique. Others choose to deconstruct the bake by removing the chocolate, the base, and then finally eating the glorious jelly-disc whole.
Glasgow Times
06-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
'Disgusting' scammers target Johnstone schoolgirl's funeral
Sick impersonators claimed to be relatives of Lucy Grant, who passed away at the age of 17 in April. They sought to raise money through the fake Facebook page, where they also advertised a live stream of the funeral procession and targeted mourners by adding them as friends on the social media site. Lucy's mum, Lynette, 44, warned people of the fake page, saying: "Can my friends who have added this page please report it, and I hope no one has given them money. "Lucy's funeral wasn't streamed." Many of Lynette's friends rushed to condemn the page, with one saying: "Can't believe people could stoop so low, why just why." Another fumed: "This is absolutely disgusting, the immoral things people do never ceases to sicken me, reprobates of the highest order." One friend admitted that she was caught by the scam: "I fell for it and sent money! Disgusting someone would set this up!" The sick fake page set up by scammers (Image: Facebook) The Glasgow Times previously reported that Lucy tragically died after suffering 60 suspected epileptic seizures in under one year and that her family have demanded a probe into her care. READ MORE: Have you seen her? Urgent search launched for missing women Lucy Grant sadly passed away on Tuesday, April 15, at her home in Johnstone. Following her death, it is claimed the 17-year-old lay on the floor dead for over nine hours, as reported by the Scottish Sun. It is understood that the teenager suffered from her first suspected seizure just four days after she turned 16 in 2024. Lucy's mother, Lynette Anderson, told the Scottish Sun that the past year has been a "constant battle" to get the youngster "the care she deserved". However, the 44-year-old claimed that her daughter being treated as an adult at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital delayed access to vital treatment. The caring mother also claimed that Lucy had to wait for appointments as she was classed as an adult after turning 16. READ NEXT: Demolition of former McVities factory building called 'final insult to Glasgow' In a social media post, Lucy's heartbroken mum said: "As most of you know, the last year has been a constant battle with the NHS and fighting weekly to try and get Lucy the care she deserved, but more importantly needed as her seizures were getting worse and more dangerous. "Her two appointments at the hospital were for August 25 and September 2 this year, but I managed through sheer harassment to get them brought forward to April 24 and 29. "Instead of going to hospital on April 24, my baby girl will now be having her post-mortem carried out." Lucy was seen by the specialist Neurology team at the Glasgow hospital; however, on April 15, she sadly passed away at her home, where her mum claims she was lying on the floor for over nine hours. Lynette added: "I'll make sure her passing saves the lives of others as no child or mother should go through what we have." Following the youngster's death, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde confirmed that they would review Lucy's case. The health board also said they would be in touch with her family to discuss concerns about her care. READ MORE: Crook sent drug-soaked letters worth £12,000 to fictional prison inmates Morag Gardner, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Deputy Nurse Director for Acute Services, said: "We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Lucy Grant at this extremely difficult time. "Lucy had been seen by our specialist Neurology team, who remained in contact with her through her family and GP to monitor and obtain further information about her condition, and further appointments had been made for her. "We will review Lucy's case, and we will be in contact with her family to discuss any concerns they have about her care. "We are also reviewing our pathways for deaths in the community of 16 and 17-year-olds and apologise for any distress caused."
