Legendary biscuit makers, McVitie's, have launched the first non-fruity flavour of Jaffa Cakes in the story which answers the question, what do you get when you cross an old school cola bottle sweet with the classic jaffa?
That's not the start of a joke, by the way... you literally just get cola bottle-flavoured Jaffa Cakes, and as bizarre (brilliant) as that creation may sound to you, McVitie's has actually made it a reality, with the new hybrid sweet treat now available on supermarket shelves across the UK.
We've had cherry-flavoured jaffa cakes, lemon and lime-flavoured ones; raspberry, blackcurrant, and even passionfruit-flavoured, as well as a number of different chocolate variations including the limited-edition White Chocolate Jaffa Cakes.
There was even a jaffa cake-doughnut crossover amusingly named, 'Jonuts', but now the popular snack brand has decided to venture away from what they know and landed on cola-flavoured Jaffa Cakes.
McVitite's officially released new cola bottle-flavour Jaffa Cakes (Credit: vallgall via Flickr/ZapSweets)
Safe to say this one has split opinion...
As reported by The Manc, Cola Bottle Jaffa Cakes are now available in both biscuit (or cake) and cake bar format, and they've already been spotted on the shelves at Asda.
McVitie's parent company, Pladis, said it decided on the new flavour as its next creation because there's a "huge appetite" among the next generation of snacking shoppers for "something genuinely new and different". Cola flavour has been around for yonks but never mind, we'll let them off.
Adam Woolf, Marketing Director for McVitie’s at Pladis UK&I, added: "As the original cake in the biscuit aisle, we know a thing or two about doing something different, so as well as catering to shopper demand, our latest launch is the perfect embodiment of the playful and out-of-the-ordinary essence that's Jaffa Cakes' heartland."
The new snack food creation has hit supermarket shelves across the UK (Credit: McVitie's & Pladis UK & IRE)
He said the new special creation is inspired by the "enduring popularity" of both jaffa cakes and cola bottle sweets and has been made for those who've "got the bottle to branch out" and give "bold new flavour combinations a try".
Not being funny but cola bottles are just as much a classic as Jaffa Cakes in our books, but we're still intending to buy up every box we see - though not everyone is in agreement.
The OG jaffa cakes are said to be a store-cupboard essential for more than seven million households nationwide, but if the immediate fan reactions are anything to go by, it's not looking like the new Cola Bottle Jaffa Cakes will be quite the same.
Posts on social media by several new snack food sharing and reviewing accounts - including a popular one by @another_snack_reviewer - have proved that fans are divided.
Some of the comments read: "I’ve been calling out for this flavour for years" and "Bit weird, but I feel like they need to be tried", right through to the total opposite of: "No, no, no. Just no. My beautiful Jaffa cakes cannot be ruined with this atrocity.'
Even a quick ask around The Manc Group offices produced a mixed response - with comments ranging from: "I'm on board", to "That sounds vile" and "Mixing cola and sponge just doesn’t sit right with me."
So, what's your take then?
Also, please can we bring back to 'Jaffanut'? They were next level.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Danny Jones -
14th June 2024 
