My 1st introduction to Pop Tarts was the 1990s here in the Uk with Strawberry. Recently we watched a bunch of retro commercials on youtube and saw lots of 90s ones. Heated in the Toaster or eaten cold from the freezer or just out the pack on the go. Really if we look at them they are a hand Pie.
My introduction to all the different flavours came, when we visited the states and went shopping in Walmart. So many different flavours available. Some limited edition and some permanent ones. I have been lucky to have got many from import sites over the years, now with them being banned in Europe its not possible to get hold of new releases. Why are they Banned?
How did it begin?
Kelloggs came out with the release in Ohio 1964 with 4 flavours: Blueberry, Strawberry, Brown sugar Cinnamon and Apple currant. They were rolled out nationwide by 1965, the iced versions came along in 1967 and by 1973 their were 19 varieties. Originally calling them “Fruit Scones”
Outside the Us Poptarts due to the use of ingredients like food dyes and High fructose corn syrup are banned from sale in Europe. We do have some other versions different than the US Strawberry Sensation, Smores more recently, Hot fudge Sundae and Choctastic. These are most likely made to a different formula than the US ones. According to Wikipedia 2024 there are currently 20 flavours.
But one came before Pop tarts!
Post the Cereal manufacturer in 1964, came out with a new process of keeping foods in foil/mylar wrappers fresh. They were to release a product called “Country Squares”, but before they came out Kelloggs had been working on one of their own versions and beat them to it. The name was changed to the current “Toast em pop ups” in 1965 and was sold to the current owner in 1971 Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company. They produce several flavours but no limited edition ones.
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Chocolate Fudge
- Cookies & Creme
- S’mores
- Strawberry
- Wild Berry
So without this news and development by Post , could we have not had Poptarts at all?
The toast em pop ups are not sold everywhere, so not quite acheived the success of Poptarts over the same number of years. We do not have them in The Uk, but last year spotted them in a local shop and got some. They are thicker than Poptarts for sure, i do prefer this tbh and all iced. They do not contain the banned additives so can be sold. Hopefully we get Brown Sugar cinnamon ones. I have tried them all now.
Definite fave is Brown sugar Cinnamon and Strawberry/Blueberry/Cherry. When i went to the states i saw them mostly in the Dollar store but not really other places, so they are cheaper than Poptarts and come 6 per pack. Though i did get an 8 pack woop woop.
I have to admit seeing the words Artificially flavoured does not give me much hope for the flavour to be natural and not fake tasting. This goes for Poptarts and Toast em pop ups, some of the flavours have been better than others. The worse i have had was the Fruit loops, could not eat it just too fake plastic tasting.
Many of the flavours have sounded great but not delivered on the flavour, with it being hyper Artificial tatsing like the Fruit Loop one. Most of the Berry ones are a safe bet
Pop Tarts have conquered the market with new flavours and limited edition releases, over the years and returning seasonal favourites like Pumpkin Pie. Before they were outlawed lol i had been lucky to get many from import sites and of course whilst i was in the States on vacation myself.
What is up with the application of the frostings ? honestly, they never look like the pics on the box.
- Eggo Maple*
- Apple strudel*
- Cinnamon roll*
- Mango*
- Strawberry Milkshake
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Brown sugar cinnamon
- Cherry
- Smores
- Applejacks cereal *
- Lemon creme pie *
- Banana cream pie *
- Peach cobbler*
- wild Grape*
- Cookies & creme
- Gingerbread *
- Snickerdoodle *
- Chocolate chip cookie dough *
- Confetti cupcake
- Red velvet *
- Chocolatey Churro *
- Frosted Chocolate chip
- Boston Creme Donut *
- Frosted Hot fudge Sundae
- Fruit Loops * just no
- Frosted Apple Fritter
- Pretzel chocolate
- Pretzel Salted Caramel
- Pretzel Cinnamon Sugar
- Peanut butter
- Peanut butter/choc
Of course their have been other companies to make their own Toaster Pastries like Natures path, Walmart make great value ones ( Watermelon 2018, Salted Caramel, Pomegranate) and a few other brands. Not many places have come up with their own versions to compete. Aldi in the Uk last year brought out their own 2 flavours Chocolate and Strawberry, making them both Vegan, but taste nothing the same and are more Biscuit than Toaster Pastries.
Other Limited flavours have included the current Banana Bread and choc chip Pancake ? Root Beer, Orange Creamsicle and Pink Lemonade. All escaped my grasp these ones. Hopefully i can grab the new 2 out when i visit the states later in the year in May.
Is there a favourite Poptart? I would say: Strawberry Milkshake, Mango, Brown Sugar Cinnamon
You can check out my brief reel also on my Facebook and insta
What`s your favourite flavour old or new? Any others i have missed off the list, sure there is!
hope you have found this interesting and do share your favorites and any others you have tried. thanks for reading Adam x
Adampastryguy 