Four at once

Just a month ago Mr. Tidbit heralded a first in the long line of Oreo introductions when two new flavors debuted at the same time. Now Chips Ahoy! has knocked that premiere out of the record books by introducing no fewer than four new varieties at once. Three of the new Ice Cream Creations flavors — mint chocolate chip, mocha chunk and root beer float — are based on the chewy version of the cookie. The dulce de leche flavor is based on the regular (crisper) variety.

Mr. Tidbit has to say that although initially he had little hope for this peculiar exercise in line extension, he didn't dislike any of the new flavors. In fact, although he wouldn't like this to get around, he actually went back and bought a second package of the root beer float cookies.

Hershey mystery

There's a new product from Hershey that Mr. Tidbit finds difficult to describe. It's called Hershey's Spreads, and there are three flavors: chocolate, chocolate with almond and chocolate with hazelnut.

Imagine hot fudge sauce, but with a creamier texture that's remindful of peanut butter. Like peanut butter, it's high in fat (much higher than hot fudge sauce) and requires no refrigeration.

Indeed, the label of the product shows it spread on a slice of bread, but Mr. Tidbit can't picture anyone but a small child actually making an open-face chocolate sandwich. (Oh, OK, Mr. Tidbit himself might do that, but only very late at night, and he would eat it over the sink.)

That's Mr. Tidbit's problem: He can't figure out what you're supposed to do with it. The label also shows a strawberry dipped in it, but it's really too thick for that. Hershey's website is no help: It says the spreads go with anything.

Mr. Tidbit shared his puzzlement with two of his little friends, who tried the product on crackers. They liked it, but agreed that the killer application was not obvious. Then one of them dipped a spoon in it for another taste, and suddenly it was clear: You keep it in a drawer or under the bed, and you eat it out of the jar.

Al Sicherman