New Oreo Is Thin and ‘For Adults’
(Eater.com and combined sources) Oreo can’t stop introducing new cookies: Over the past year, the company has introduced a number of flavors—including red velvet, peanut butter and s’mores—and now it’s dishing up a thinner version of itself. According to a spokesperson, Oreo Thins are a “light, crisp and delicate” take on the classic sandwich cookie. While the original version is 12.5 mm thick, Oreo Thins clock in at 7.5 mm thick. The spokesperson promises that while the Oreo Thin, is well, thinner, it has a “similar creme to cookie ratio” as the regular Oreo.
Though the new cookie has fewer calories than the original, Oreo’s spokesperson is quick to point out that the Thin is not a “diet” option. Instead, Oreo is marketing it as a more “grown-up treat” that can pair with a cup of tea, an afternoon latte, or even a glass of whiskey in lieu of the classic milk-and-Oreo pairing. Oreo Thins—which feature the same chocolate base cookie—will be available in original, mint and “golden” flavors when they hit shelves nationwide July 13. Oreos are OU-Dairy.
Kosher Food Is Better in Jail
(combined sources) Not that any of us would know about this, but apparently kosher food is better than regular food in jail. A story line on the original Netflix series, Orange Is the New Black, explores the result of a prison privatization plan, in which the food services takes a dive. In the episode, “Where My Dreidel At?” inmates begin to request the “kosher meal” in droves, prompting prison staff to call in a rabbi to determine who is actually Jewish. It turns out none of them are.
Zaza Candy Exhibits at Fancy Food Show
(combined sources) Brooklyn’s Zaza Candy recently exhibited its kosher wares of lollipops, gum, chocolate and the 2015-released “Zazers MintGo Refreshers” at Manhattan’s Fancy Food Show last week. The company, which has 35,000 fans on Facebook, believes it has the full support of the kosher marketplace, but it also has enough broad-based appeal to compete in the larger marketplace. Zaza makes kosher gum to kosher snacks, and also distributes vanilla Halva bars by Achva, selling its entire inventory on its online store. Zaza also distributes Oppenheimer and King David Chocolate Chips, which present vegan options for kosher cookies, brownies and more.
New Starbucks Kashrus List Compiled by cRc
After extensive research, a newly updated Starbucks list has been compiled by the cRc. The following are some of the changes from the previous list: (1) The cRc now can recommend getting a latte in any location as long as one orders a “kiddie latte”—which means to order it prepared at 115 degree Fahrenheit. (2) For those that do not use regular milk, in addition to soy milk, there is also coconut milk available under the OU. (3) Cold brew coffee (a new item) presents a kashrus issue due to kovush. (4) Teavana teas are mostly not yet kosher certified but they are slowly working towards becoming certified. Of course, plain, unflavored tea does not need a hechsher. (5) Clover coffee can be ordered if one asks the barista to use wooden sticks instead of the metal whisk.
The list and articles related to cRc’s Starbucks research can be found at http://www.crcweb.org/starbucks_overview.php.
Upper East Side’s Saba’s Pizza Expands to Upper West Side
(West Side Rag combined sources) Lexington Ave.’s Saba’s Pizza opened a second set of doors on Amsterdam Ave. between 79th and 80th, and they say they’re offering 15 percent off for the next few days. Serving pizza, sandwiches, salads, falafel, pasta and borekas, the store is certified kosher by National Kosher Supervision (Rabbi Aaron Mehlman).
