Back in the early days of microwaving popcorn before microwaves came with a "popcorn" button (yes, I am that old), I was often disappointed at the number of un-popped kernels left at the bottom of the bag. So, one day, I took it upon myself to throw the bag back into the microwave after it completed its first cycle. Unfortunately, during the second time through not only did the un-popped kernels remain un-popped but those kernels which had popped the first time now started burning. In mere seconds, the wonderful aroma of fresh popcorn was replaced by the acrid smell of smoke. The moral of that story? When you already have something that's good, you should leave it the hell alone!
Unfortunately, this is a lesson which Reese's has not learned...
Now, admittedly, I do feel a little sorry for them because they hit it out of the park on their first attempt. On that fateful day when someone got their peanut butter on someone else's chocolate, and that other person got their chocolate in someone else's peanut butter, a very magical thing was created. We are all the better for it as life would not be the same without Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. So, where does one go from that zenith of success? Do you retire, knowing you'll never surpass the heavenly combination of peanut butter and chocolate? Or do you stupidly try to combine the flavor with something else?
Look, as great as peanut butter and chocolate are as a couple, I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of a threesome (although it is generally a better idea in theory than in practice). Peanut butter and chocolate dipped pretzels are wonderful, for example. Peanut butter, chocolate and caramel works (just ask Twix). Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate? You had me at ice cream! Peanut butter, chocolate and actual peanuts? Fine. But...potato chips? Seriously?!?
No offense to any of you who might find that combination pleasurable...my wife, after all, drops Rollo candies into popcorn and she is on to something...but this is probably one of the worst things you can do to a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. For shame! The only thing that saves this concoction from being awarded my lowest score is the fact that the actual potato chip pieces inside the peanut butter filling are so small that they don't provide much texture and add only a slightly salty flavor. In fact, I'm sure that the reason they were added only to the "Big Cup" is that in a regular-sized Reese's Peanut Butter Cup you probably wouldn't notice them at all. But that's not much of a compliment ("Don't worry! The thing we added as a gimmick is barely noticeable!") and it is also no excuse for ruining the already-perfect unity of chocolate and peanut butter.
RATING: 2 / 5
