Kraft has been releasing new flavours sporadically for the past couple of years. But I’m betting none will generate as much social or mainstream media chatter as the newest: ‘Everything Bagel’ has already been a stead-fast fan fave for months…
The EB bandwagon may be slow moving, but it’s steady, rolling along relentless as other fats and fashions in the foodie world come and go. Which is not to say, it hasn’t had it’s share of controversy over the past year…
Trader Joe a drug smuggler?
So it seemed when the South Korean government posted signs warning foreigners arriving at the country’s main international airport that Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning could land them in trouble. That’s because it has poppy seeds in it. And even non-opium poppies’ seeds have detectable traces of opiates in them. Which is enough to get you arrested and charged with dope smuggling at Inchon International. Zero tolerance.
But that’s just one small sidebar to a bigger story: The product is so beloved – especially in South Korea – that people will risk arrest to sneak it in. And sell it for many times it’s US ‘face’ value.
I’ll agree, it’s a nifty flavour blend. And I make my own all the time. But not even the coming to Amer-ica of long-time Canadian flavour faves, legendary Ketchup and All Dressed chips, or the return of the prodigal McRib, has generated as much hubbub. There have been other Everything Bagel-flavoured products, from chips, to Cream Cheese to Ramen…
So it follows that lots of folks would have something to chime-in on the coming of Kraft’s newest flavour.
Took ’em long enough…
As major brands often are, it took Kraft a while to commit to releasing Everything Bagel Mac and Cheese. But EB came with a strong recommendation from the fans, who voted it winner of the latest edition of the Kraft Mac and Cheese new flavour contest.
“The release of Everything Bagel underscores a new flavor-focused expansion strategy Kraft is pi-loting to deliver on Zillennials’ desire for bolder flavor offerings from their favorite brands,” the brand shared in a news release. “Guided by real fan submissions from last year’s ‘Fan Flavorites’ program and evolving market trends, Kraft is bringing unexpected new flavors to market in record time.”
In fact, Kraft notes, in passing, that it’s currently testing more than 60 new favours, of which only a very select few will ever the light of mass-market day. But that’s still enough to ensue that the brand will have lots of new stuff to tantalize fans with for at least a few years to come!
My take
For now… New Kraft Everything Bagel flavour Mac and Cheese officially débuts November 25, exclus-ively at Walmart. General sales will open Friday, November 29.
Meanwhile… May I remind you, one last time, that you can make your own ‘Everything Bagel’ copy-cat seasoning? This recipe from Love and Lemons, earned 5 solid stars out of 5 in the Google ratings…
~ Maggie J.