By Juliette Guyman and Samhita Holla
Are big brand names actually worth the hype? Or is it just the name that makes their food taste “better”? We decided to test this theory by blindfolding ourselves and trying two competing snacks, a brand-name snack and its off-brand product, often referred to as a “dupe”. Read more to find out which snacks are worth the hype and which deserve more attention!
#1: Favorite Day Gummi Bears vs Haribo Goldbears
Price
Favorite Day Gummi Bears: $1.59 for 8 ounces
Haribo Goldbears: $2.39 for 8 ounces
Juliette Guyman’s and Samhita Holla’s Pick: Favorite Day Gummi Bears
The Favorite Day Gummi Bears are very chewy and soft. Both have a lot of flavor, but Haribo Goldbears are way sweeter and harder to swallow. Overall, the less intense flavor of the Favorite Day Gummi Bears is more enjoyable.
#2: 7-11 Sour Neon Gummi Worms vs Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers
Price
Sour Neon Gummi Worms: $3.19 for 7 ounces
Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers: $3.29 for 7.2 ounces
Juliette and Samhita’s Pick: Sour Neon Gummi Worms
The 7-Eleven Sour Neon Gummi Worms are very sweet and sour, and not too chewy. Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers are delicious as well, but it starts off sweet and becomes more sour, which provides a weird aftertaste. In conclusion, while both the Sour Neon Gummi Worms and Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers have the same taste in the beginning, the Sour Neon Gummi Worms have a much better aftertaste and slightly more flavor.
#3: Cherry Cola Poppi vs Coca Cola
Price
Cherry Cola Poppi: 2.29 for 12 ounces
Coca-Cola: 2.59 for 20 ounces
Juliette and Samhita’s Pick: Coca-Cola
Cherry Cola Poppi has a pungent fruity flavor, unlike Coca-Cola. The original Coca-Cola tasted much more crisp and had a nice flavor. We both agree that we would not reach for the Cherry Cola Poppi.
#4: Doc Pop Poppi vs Dr. Pepper
Doc Pop Poppi: 2.39 for 12 ounces
Dr Pepper: 2.39 for 20 ounces
Juliette’s Pick: Doc Pop
Poppi’s Doc Pop has a different flavor than Dr. Pepper, but in a positive way. The flavor tastes less artificial and is refreshing to drink, whereas the Dr. Pepper is good, but lacking some flavor depth. It’s also a little less fizzy, which is more enjoyable in my opinion.
Samhita’s Pick: Dr Pepper
Doc Pop has an extremely synthetic fruity flavor which I absolutely hated. They’re trying too hard to copy Dr. Pepper! Dr. Pepper, on the other hand, doesn’t have that weird taste. Plus, it’s cheaper!