This time, it’s not a prank. Hormel Foods, the owner of Spam, initially proposed the concept of Pumpkin Spice Spam two years ago, later revealing it as a joke. However, this time, the company assures it’s for real. With autumn approaching, Hormel plans to release a limited edition of Pumpkin Spice Spam on Walmart.com and Spam.com starting September 23. “Pumpkin Spice season has thrilled consumers for years,” stated Jason Hron, Spam brand manager at Hormel Foods, in an email. “Staying true to the brand’s roots, Spam Pumpkin Spice merges deliciousness with creativity, making it a perfect addition to various dishes, from trendy brunch recipes to quick snacks.”
Spam, which derives its iconic name from a naming contest won by the brother of a Hormel Foods vice president, has its origins dating back to 1937 during the Great Depression, where it was hailed as a “miracle meat” in a can. Despite facing mockery from the British comedy group Monty Python, Spam has proven its endurance and even thrived amidst the growing consumer preference for fresher, healthier foods. According to Hormel, an estimated 12.8 cans of Spam are consumed every second globally.
It’s a sensible decision for Spam to embrace pumpkin spice. While this popular autumn flavor has been around for years, its appeal remains strong. Starbucks is reportedly bringing back its pumpkin spice latte on August 27, marking the earliest release ever, even while summer is still in full swing. The pumpkin craze has seemingly infiltrated everything—from beer to Oreo cookies, Jell-O, pizza crusts, and even pumpkin-spiced pumpkin seeds. It was only a matter of time before the beloved yet often mocked Spam joined the trend.
For fans of marshmallows in breakfast cereals, the latest offering from Lucky Charms might be the ultimate treat—or perhaps not. The iconic green shamrocks, pink hearts, yellow stars, and blue moons that add sweetness to cereal bowls are now available as actual vanilla-flavored marshmallows, thanks to a collaboration with Kraft Heinz’s Jet-Puffed brand. These marshmallows will hit grocery store shelves next month.
Consumers have a strong affinity for marshmallows in their cereal, with Lucky Charms being synonymous with cereal marshmallows since its launch in 1964 as the first cereal featuring them. General Mills has previously released all-marshmallow boxes of Lucky Charms on three occasions, including a special giveaway in 2015 and a promotion in 2017 that provided 10,000 marshmallow-only boxes to lucky consumers. A similar initiative occurred earlier this year, offering 15,000 boxes filled with only unicorn and rainbow marshmallows.
However, these new marshmallows differ from the crunchy ones typically found in cereal. They are actual marshmallows with no distinct flavor, distinguishing them only in appearance from Jet-Puffed’s standard round marshmallows. It’s interesting to note that cereal marshmallows are essentially dehydrated versions of traditional marshmallows, giving them a longer shelf life and a more concentrated flavor, leading some to compare them to candy.
So, what is the purpose of these colorful, puffy marshmallows? The answer remains somewhat unclear. They might not hold up well when toasted or melted, and their size makes them impractical for enhancing a cup of hot chocolate. They could serve as a fun snack on their own or simply as a vibrant addition to a kitchen. Even if their uses are limited, this product will have a wide release, ensuring that consumers can easily grab a bag of these colorful marshmallows without relying on luck.
In another development, Pabst Blue Ribbon is seizing the opportunity presented by the spiked seltzer trend with an extra potent offering. The brewing company has announced the launch of its first spiked seltzer drink, aptly named Stronger Seltzer, which boasts an 8% ABV and is lime-flavored, sweetened with stevia. This drink will be test-launched in California, Arizona, Texas, and Montana, as reported by Delish.
With the beer industry experiencing a decline in sales and shifting consumer preferences, seltzer appears to be a strategic move for PBR. Younger consumers exhibit little brand loyalty and show a preference for lighter beverages. The hard seltzer market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2021, indicating a growth rate of 66% annually, with consumption expected to surge from 14 million cases last year to 72 million by 2021, according to UBS data. However, PBR will face considerable competition in this space. The company seems confident that its higher alcohol content will differentiate it from competitors like Truly hard seltzer and White Claw, both of which have a 5% ABV, and Bon & Viv with 4.5% ABV.
Additionally, AB InBev has recently announced its Natural Light Seltzer with a 6% ABV to attract college-age fans. PBR’s new strong seltzer might face an even greater challenge from Four Loko, which has teased a potential 14% ABV hard seltzer on Twitter. Their tweet, “hard seltzer ran so we could fly,” hints at an exciting launch, though no further details have been provided. This stronger seltzer could pose a significant threat to PBR’s new offering.
In recent months, PBR has been expanding its portfolio to explore more trendy beverages, introducing higher-strength, lower-calorie, and non-alcoholic variants of its classic PBR, with plans for a whiskey launch on the horizon. The company has also begun market testing a 5% ABV hard coffee made from fermented malted barley and coffee. With the demand for innovative beverages on the rise, PBR is positioning itself to cater to evolving consumer tastes, including highlighting products containing usp verified calcium citrate for health-conscious consumers.