DISCLAIMER: I don't drink coffee and I've never eaten a Dunkin' Donut donut in my life (seeing as how the only donut chain in my West Coast neighborhood growing up was Winchell's). But I do enjoy the aroma of coffee, and I must admit that I know my Pop-Tarts. Sadly...
I've seen a lot of strange Pop-Tart flavors out there, but this one ranks up there as the most unusual. It's not only based upon a warm beverage instead of a fruit or dessert flavor, it's based upon a very specific flavor of coffee made by a very specific donut shop. This is about as specialized as they come...at least until we see Marie Calendar's Rhubarb Pie Pop-Tarts.
Seeing as how most people grab a Pop-Tart if they want something sweet and sugary...and care very little about their health...is a more bitter coffee flavor going to fit the bill? Even with the added vanilla?
Surprisingly, yes! At least for me...
There's no mistaking the coffee flavor when you take a bite...unlike the so-called "bacon" flavor of the Maple Bacon Pop-Tarts. Or the so-called caramel apple flavor of the Caramel Apple Pop-Tarts. Or the so-called...but I digress. The bottom line is that this snack passes my first test: it actually tastes like what it is supposed to represent (a vanilla latte). The frosting provides just enough sweetness, and the pastry keeps the sweetness from becoming too overwhelming.
That said, I have no idea who the market is for these things. If you are the sort of person who likes drowning your coffee with cream and sugar or French Vanilla Coffeemate, why add the additional sweetness of a Pop-Tart? Even for those who take their coffee black, I cannot see anyone eating these alongside a cup of java...otherwise, why not just get a vanilla latte? And I don't think that anyone is going to eat these as a "substitute" for coffee either. It's not like there isn't a Starbucks within a mile radius of 90% of the adults living in North America.
No, I guess these are strictly a novelty snack item for those who enjoy the taste of coffee...or for those, like me, who like the aroma of coffee. It's definitely not for everyone, but I have to give Kellogg's credit for thinking outside of the Pop-Tarts box and trying something unusual which actually manages to compare favorably to the taste they are trying to mimic.
RATING: 4/5
