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Americans may love their junk food, but that doesn’t mean they’ll scarf down just any old snack. That’s why the big name brands have so many failed flavors, even after spending thousands on marketing and development for said flavors. Here are some of the many flops created by some of the biggest names in junk food.
Perhaps the most documented failure of any American company was Coke II, aka “New Coke.” Humorously, despite the massive reaction against the beverage, Coke II actually smoked both Pepsi and original Coke in taste tests. While most people did prefer it, the idea of losing a beloved American classic was too much for some people, who protested and called the company headquarters until the old version was reintroduced three months later. Coke II continued to be sold until 2002 when it was pulled due to poor sales.
Of course, Coke II wasn’t the brand’s only failure, there was also Coca Cola with Lemon, Coca Cola Black Cherry Vanilla, Coca Cola Black (a coffee-flavored cola) and Coca Cola C2 (a low-carb version).
Image Via akeg [Flickr]
When you think of failed Pepsi flavors, let’s face it, one variety seems to come to mind before all others –Crystal Pepsi. While it might not have been the marketing disaster that Coke II was, it was still a huge failure and ended up being discontinued in the US only a year after its introduction. A little while later, Pepsi tried again with a citrus-flavored version called Clear from Pepsi, but that flavor also bombed and was quickly discontinued.
A few other Pepsi failures include Pepsi Kona (a coffee-flavored Pepsi that was only sold on the East Coast before it was discontinued), Pepsi Vanilla, Pepsi AM (Pepsi’s attempt to compete with coffee as the morning beverage of choice, this one contained far more caffeine than the average Pepsi), Pepsi Blue (a berry-flavored, non-cola beverage).
Image Via Roadsidepictures [Flickr]
Hershey’s flops may not be as well-known as Coke or Pepsi, but they have far more discontinued flavors than either of those cola brands. You may remember some of these flavors but there are so many, at least a few will probably be new to you.
A few original products they discontinued included Bar None (a chocolate bar with two wafers and peanuts), Hershey’s S’mores (a chocolate bar with graham crackers and marshmallows), Swoops (chocolate slices shaped like potato chips) and Hershey’s Sticks (chocolate sticks individually wrapped and sold together in boxes).
They’ve also discontinued quite a few variations on their popular products, such as Hershey’s Cookies and Mint, Hershey’s Kissables (Hershey’s Kisses with candy shells) and Hershey’s Bites, which were bite-sized versions of their classic candies sold in bags.
Additionally, the company also experimented with beverages, discontinuing a premade bottled milk drink called Hershey’s Milkshake and their Hershey’s Chocolate Milk Mix.
Image Via theimpulsivebuy [Flickr]
Good news for those that love Jones soda and the webseries The Guild, you can now combine your two passions by purchasing six packs of limited edition sodas featuring your favorite guildies. While the price may be a little expensive at $13 a pack, at least it offers more variety than The Onion Limited Edition pack.
Link Via Geeks Are Sexy
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Jones Soda, the folks who brought you a turkey-flavored soft drink, is offering a limited run of bacon flavored soda. They’ve teamed up with J&D’s Foods to offer a gift pack featuring two bottles of soda with bacon popcorn and bacon gravy for $9.95 plus shipping. Bacon… where will it all end? Link to story. Link to product. -Thanks, Waldo (wherever you are)!
In this 1950s ad for soft drinks, the new 12-ounce size is labeled as “King Size”. Contrast that with the more recent sign below.
Sociological Images looks at how food and drink serving sizes have grown over time. Link -via Boing Boing
Gourmet soda maker Jones Soda has released five new flavors inspired by the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. They are Potion of Healing, Sneak Attack, Bigby’s Crushing Thirst Destroyer, Eldritch Blast, and Dwarven Draught. I hear that drinking any will add +2 to your constitution for 1d4 rounds.
A grocery store with 500 flavors of soda? You betcha, and the owner of Galco’s Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles knows his sodas. In this video, learn about Romanian rose soda, the best-tasting diet soda, why glass bottles are better, and other fascinating facts about soda pop. Link -via Dark Roasted Blend
Previously mentioned in: Four Neat Things About Los Angeles.
This is part 2 to the soft drinks from around the world that was published earlier. Makes me miss Moxie and Vernors.
Vegitabeta. VegitaBeta is an orange-colored soft drink consisting primarily of water and sugar. The product contains 3mg of beta-carotene per 100ml serving; an entire bottle contains 4.8mg. Although the product contains less than 10% juice, the label is filled with pictures of vegetables such as carrots, and fruits such as oranges, apples, acerola, and, prunes that naturally contain beta-carotene. The label states “Easy way to obtain nutrition,” “VegitaBeta is a health-supporting drink that uses five materials [vegetables and fruits].” The beverage carries the trade mark “Daily Care” with an explanation that “Daily Care is a symbol of products that support a healthy lifestyle.” While VegitaBeta contains a small amount of juice from vegetables and fruits that contain beta-carotene, the 4.8 mg of beta carotene in one bottle of the beverage is added in supplement form according to company officials.
From the Upcoming 
ueue, submitted by ninigoat.
I’ve never had fungus tea, the cloudy juice left from the fermentation process of kimchee, or fermented dandelion and burdock roots, but I would be willing to try it. Some look downright tasty, like the cinnamon aroma of Guaraná Jesus from Brazil, or the ice cream soda from Pakistan, Pakola.
Almdudler is the brand name of a popular Austrian soft drink. The original Almdudler is a sweetened carbonated beverage flavored with herbs; its flavor is similar to ginger ale or elderflower cordial but with a somewhat stronger and more complex flavor. Almdudler has been called the “national drink of Austria”. Its popularity in Austria is second only to Coca Cola; 80 million liters of the beverage are produced yearly.
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by notoriousnicholas.
Hard to imagine eating 10 sugar cubes, but when you guzzle down a can of soda, that’s what you’re putting in your body. See just how much sugar you’re destroying yourself with …
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by ebzzz2.
Dr. Pepper lovers rejoice, here’s a way to "winterize" your favorite soda by turning it into a delicious hot beverage.
Instructions are from a vintage recipe advertisement published in the 60′s.
Easy to prepare–simply heat Dr Pepper in a saucepan until it steams and pour into a glass or cup over a slice of lemon. Perfect for the family or when friends drop in–and take along a thermos of Hot Dr Pepper when enjoying outdoor activities. Hot Dr Pepper–the distinctive Winter Warmer!
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by pardonmoi.
Samsung debuted these touch screen vending machines at CES. The machine features a large screen that shows animations and interactive menus and is also equipped with WiFi to send a signal to owners when product is running low. The machines should arrive at your local mall in 2010.
– via psfk
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by whitespace.
Are you tired of recycling without any real pay off? Perhaps you just need a new method of recycling. The Tin Can Robot kit can turn any old 12 ounce beverage can into an awesomely adorable robot. I don’t know about you, but as soon as I’m done with my 6 pack of Dr. Peppers, I’ll soon have a new collection of best friends.
