Though a new limited edition flavor of M&M’s is nothing out of the ordinary, I was surprised by Mars’ latest release of Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M’s, an upcoming promotion for the newest Transformers film.
When I think of limited edition M&M’s, I immediately think of variations on either the original or peanut variety. In fact, I was so expecting this to be the peanut sort that it wasn’t until after I tasted them that I asked myself “Where’s the peanut?â€
You rarely see Mars play with the almond or peanut butter M&M’s flavors, leaving all their marketing and sales to the more popular varieties. I mean, I can’t even remember the last time I saw a commercial for peanut butter M&M’s. So when I discovered it was one of their less-advertised flavors that was being given a limited edition makeover, I was pleasantly surprised.
I picked up a complimentary bag of these at the All Candy Expo, but I have also seen them in drugstores, so they’re readily available for purchase.
Unlike the regular peanut butter variety, there are only three colors of pieces: brown, red, and yellow speckled with red. Though the colors were fairly uniform, sizes were not. Some resembled the size of the milk chocolate variety while others were bulky like the peanut type.
The taste of the strawberry flavor is minimal, more present as a floral overtone with a strong aftertaste rather than as an actual component of the candy itself. It also happens to be only in the chocolate shell so it’s a bit drowned out by the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
I liked the fact that these had a firm crunch, but were soft, being much fresher than most M&M’s I can think of, but the flavors didn’t really work for me. I actually enjoy the regular peanut butter M&M’s quite a bit, and much of that simplicity was lost here amidst the strawberry.
It’s not as if the idea of fruit and peanut butter doesn’t mesh well, because I still enjoy a nice peanut butter and jelly sandwich; however, these are more akin to eating that peanut butter and jelly mixture straight out of a jar.
A good peanut butter and jelly sandwich is grounded in the bread, which lessens the intensity of the other flavors. I find myself missing such a harmonizing element, as the chocolate doesn’t really succeed on that front.
These aren’t horrible by any means, and I do enjoy them more than milk chocolate M&M’s, but I couldn’t help but eat the whole bag thinking something was slightly off…. Perhaps this could be remedied if actual jelly were combined with the peanut butter center instead of it being artificially mixed with the chocolate.
Regardless, I am glad to see Mars is exploring their entire line of product, and hope they continue this trend with their almond variety.
Buy Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M’s Online:
- at Amazon.com
