A snack which first hit shelves in Japan back in 2013 was an interesting mash-up of two popular products: Pepsi and Cheetos.
Pepsi-Flavored Cheetos
In mid-2013, it was announced that Pepsi-flavored Cheetos would had arrived in Japan. While the snack visually resembled a traditional Cheeto, it tasted like the popular soda. It also “fizzed” in the mouth similar to the sensation of Pop Rocks.
Frito-Lay and PepsiCo both said there were no plans to bring the product to the U.S., and it was only available for a limited time in Japan. As of January 2016, the Cheetos Wikipedia page still lists it as a “Current Variety” although at the time it was said to only be a limited edition product.
Reviews of the product were mixed, with taste testers expressing more curiosity than delight in the product. Bags of the Pepsi-Cheetos immediately began appearing on Ebay for as much as $50 per bag.
One suggestion for those who simply must try the combination: Try washing down a bag of Cheetos with a Pepsi.
What do you think of such flavor mash-ups?
Sources
- Dreams crushed: Pepsi-flavored Cheetos aren’t coming to U.S. (Jenn Harris, LA Times: August 15, 2013)
- What DOES a cola-flavored crisps taste like? PEPSI flavored Cheetos released (Ryan Gorman, Daily Mail: August 16, 2013)
Updated January 7, 2016
Originally published August 2013