MORE FALL FLAVORS

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- AUGUST 30, 2025

A couple of weeks ago this column was about the flavors of autumn. It turns out that I just scratched the surface. New flavors are coming at us from all directions. So, here we go again. 

What brought this to mind was a list of vintage ice cream flavors related to summers past.  “There are many flavors that used to be popular that have undergone a slow slide into obscurity. These are ones that linger in the minds of adults as nostalgic memories from their childhoods.”

The list includes ice cream that tasted like cheese, rum, teaberry, and artichokes. Some had odd names like heavenly hash, tutti frutti, and tiger tail. “You're unlikely to turn up to your local ice cream parlor and find artichokes on the menu, but there are plenty of recipes out there for people to try for themselves at home.” (https://www.tastingtable.com/1937735/vintage-ice-cream-no-one-eats-anymore/)

Those ice creams of the past led me to a thinking about a treat that occurs every fall – the honeycrisp apple. Sometimes these are difficult to find and there's a reason. “Honeycrisp apples are a modern creation, intentionally crossbred and cultivated at the University of Minnesota and released to the public in 1991.” Honeycrisps are challenging to grow and delicate to ship, so that's why they may be more expensive than other varieties. 

Help is on the way, though, in the form of a new variety. “Cosmic crisp apples are the creation of Washington State University and only debuted in 2019. They're cross-bred between honeycrisp and enterprise apples. With more supply and lower prices, cosmic crisp are an ideal substitute if you're missing your honeycrisps.” (https://www.tastingtable.com/1932089/honeycrisp-apples-price-increase-cosmic-crisp-alternative/)

Apples are a fall favorite, but food companies have their own salutes to the season. A case in point is the first-ever Hershey's Pumpkin Spice Latte Nuggets. These are a milk chocolate shell filled with a pumpkin spice latte-flavored creme.” They are headed to store shelves as we speak. (https://www.allrecipes.com/new-hershey-pumpkin-spice-latte-nuggets-review-11789793)

Halloween lovers might try Pillsbury's new Funfetti Spiderweb Swirl Fudge Brownie Mix.  

The company touts: “These are not your average brownies. Each bite features rich, fudgy chocolate, alongside a fun spiderweb design made from gooey marshmallows. We're giving families a chance to turn everyday baking into a playful, memory-making moment. It's delicious, delightfully spooky, and designed to bring out the imagination in bakers of all ages.” (https://www.allrecipes.com/pillsbury-new-funfetti-spiderweb-swirl-brownies-11792883)

Another newbie this fall is aimed at those who like to snack while watching football games on television. Looking for a unique dip to scoop with those chips? How about a Campbell's Chunky Soup and Pabst Blue Ribbon combo? The brands have teamed up to create two flavors that aim to bring together the craveability of Chunky and the smooth taste of Pabst Blue Ribbon.”

The two flavors are: Beer Cheese with Potatoes & Chorizo and Beef, Bacon & Beer Chili with Beans.” Both are infused with Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer flavor. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/08/18/campbells-soup-pabst-blue-ribbon-beer-taste/85676064007/)

As the weather gets cooler people trade in their iced drinks for steaming cups of coffee. “The average American drinks roughly three cups of coffee per day, and while drip coffee tends to be the most common method of preparation.” Every section of the county has its own coffee culture, but the state that consumes the most per person might surprise you. 

“According to research conducted by Balance Coffee, Michigan leads every state in the U.S. in its coffee consumption — with its residents drinking an average of 2.5 cups per day. Other leading states include Delaware, West Virginia, Ohio, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Carolina, Maine, and Louisiana. Of course, anyone who has spent any significant time in Michigan wouldn't be surprised by this fact. Michigan and its numerous micro-roasters and specialty cafes have been considered major trend setters for the industry at large for more than a decade.” (https://www.tastingtable.com/1929978/state-that-drinks-most-coffee-not-what-you-expect/)

West Michigan is very significant in this scenario. “What characterizes Michigan's coffee scene goes all the way to its humble, bootstrap beginnings, when most coffee houses were supplied by the same roaster, and large coffee chains were nowhere to be found. That's when the first micro-roasters began to appear in cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, building the foundation for what Michigan coffee is today.”

With all this in mind, a spiderweb brownie dunked in a cup of Michigan coffee could merit a serious taste test. 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.