Rediscover Forgotten Grocery Gems
Experience a nostalgic journey through 25 cherished grocery items now lost, rebranded, or rare to find. Uncover intriguing facts and hidden stories behind iconic snacks and desserts that once defined childhood and inspired trendsetters.
Crystal Pepsi
Dynamic Crystal Pepsi amazes retro collectors with its pioneering clear formula launched in 1992. Its space-age look and one-of-a-kind flavor amazed adventurous consumers and sparked gigantic collector demand and rare re-releases. It made a brief comeback from 2016 to 2022, then left again.
Hi C Ecto Cooler
Introduced in 1989 amid the Ghostbusters craze, the Hi-C Ecto Cooler featured a luminous green tint and uncanny packaging that enthralled youthful drinkers, boosting its cult status among fans. The brand went off the shelves only to reappear in 2016 and 2021 to promote newer Ghostbusters showings. It’s gone now.
Hi-C Ecto Cooler Unboxing | Ghostbusters Drink!!! by Industrial Industries World Radio
Surge
Power radiates from Surge, a dynamic soda that debuted in 1997 with a tangy citrus burst. In 2003, it was discontinued and came back in 2014. But not in its original numbers because you can rarely find it in limited areas through Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and some online retailers.
Surge Soda is Still Alive! | Urge Soda Unboxing by Industrial Industries World Radio
Keebler Magic Middles
Keebler Magic Middles were shortbread cookies with a rich, creamy chocolate or peanut butter filling. Introduced in the early 2000s, they offered a delightful surprise with each bite. Unfortunately, they were discontinued around 2011, leaving a void in the hearts of cookie lovers.
Keebler Magic Middles Commercial (1989) by Dino Drac's Retro Commercials!
Jell-O Pudding Pops
Its velvety texture and whimsical appearance enchanted youngsters during summer gatherings. Interestingly, Jell-O Pudding Pops debuted in the 1970s as a smooth dessert on a stick. Quirky commercials and inventive recipes hiked up frozen treats, adding to their nostalgic appeal. This delightful innovation left the shelves in the early 2000s.
OK Soda
OK Soda was a 1993 bold alternative to conventional sodas. It featured quirky labeling and an unexpected flavor that challenged ordinary palates. Distinctive adverts and remarkable production facts shaped its brief lifespan. This unconventional beverage icon retains charm, with rare packaging still explored today.
TeemPlayer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue (2002) had a striking azure hue that defies expectations. Its innovative flavor and bold color ignited passionate debates among soda enthusiasts. In 2021, it made a brief comeback. Can you find it? Um, only if you search far and wide at specialty stores.
Fieldafar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pizzarias Pizza Chips
These snacks were chips infused with pizza flavor, and they offered a savory snack reminiscent of a slice. Introduced in 1991, their distinct taste and marketing made them a hit among snack enthusiasts. Despite their initial success, they were discontinued in the late 1990s.
Keebler - "Pizzarias" by Random Stuff I Find on VHS
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Tab Soda
Its lightweight composition and sleek packaging garnered a dedicated following. Tab Soda enthralled consumers in 1963 with its unique formula and futuristic design. Vintage advertisements and production records chronicle its remarkable journey, which preserves its place in history. Tab remains a nostalgic favorite, though it was officially discontinued in 2020.
Jerry "Woody", CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Butterfinger BB's
Introduced in 1992, Butterfinger BB's offered bite-sized bursts of crispy peanut butter and chocolate. Their convenient poppable form made them a favorite among candy enthusiasts. However, despite Butterfinger BB's popularity, they were discontinued in 2006. This left fans yearning for their return.
Quisp Cereal
Its innovative packaging and smart commercials enchanted young creatives and cereal fans. Engaging Quisp cereal shook breakfasts in the 1960s with its weird UFO-shaped loops. Quisp was discontinued in most stores, but it remains available for purchase online through Quaker Oats and some specialty retailers.
Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fruitopia
Fruitopia hit stores in 1994 with a mix of pineapple, orange, and passionfruit. Its bold packaging and innovative flavor pairings attracted thrill-seeking consumers. It was discontinued in the US in the early 2000s but is still available under the Minute Maid brand in Canada.
Squeezit
Its zesty fruit taste and fun packaging changed the way schoolchildren snacked. Squeezit ruled 1990s cafeterias with its pioneering squeezable packaging. Nutritional information and wacky advertisements cemented its place to keep its nostalgic value. This pocket treat is still a colorful reminder of cafeteria days.
1988 - Squeezit - The Squeeze Is On Commercial #2 by Consumer Time Capsule
Wonder Ball Candy
Wonder Ball Candy charmed kids in the mid-1990s with their round shape and secret surprises. Wonder Ball was discontinued in 1997 due to choking concerns but was reintroduced in 2000 with candy inside instead of toys. Frankford Candy still sells it today, featuring themes like Disney, SpongeBob, and Pokemon.
THE TRUE FACTS OF THE NESTLE WONDERBALL by Mewisme700
Planters PB Crisps
These crisps were peanut-shaped cookies filled with creamy peanut butter. Introduced in 1992, their unique texture and sweet-salty flavor garnered a dedicated fan base. They were discontinued in 1995 due to Planters's shift in its product focus.
90's Snack Taste Test (26 Year Old Planters P.B. Crisps) | L.A. BEAST by skippy62able
Vault Soda
It's an invigorating formula and provocative marketing won over rebellious youth. Vault Soda burst onto the scene in 2005 with a bold combination of citrus and energy. Vault was discontinued in 2011, but it was effectively replaced by Mello Yello, which has a similar formula and is still sold.
Coca-Cola, Why Did You Discontinue Vault Soda? by KemmerlingKomputers
SnackWells Oat Cookies
SnackWells Oat Cookies arrived in the early 1990s, providing a healthful mix of oats and mellow sweetness. These wholesome bites are still an attentive pleasure with each crunch. SnackWells brand was discontinued in 2022, but it’s unclear if the oat cookies were still being produced before then.
Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦 on Unsplash
Oreo Big Stuf
Introduced in 1987, Oreo Big Stuf was a giant version of the classic Oreo cookie, measuring about three inches in diameter. Packaged individually, it provided a substantial treat for Oreo enthusiasts. Despite its initial appeal, it was discontinued in 1991.
Oreo Big Stuf Cookie Commercial by Forgotten Media
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O Salad was not an official branded product but a popular homemade dish. It gained popularity in the 1950s-70s and is still made in some regions today. Its bright layers and unexpected textures created experimental food trends at potlucks. Retro cookbooks preserve their offbeat character.
Hershey's Bites
Hershey's Bites offered miniature, unwrapped versions of classic candies like Reese's and Cookies 'n' Creme. Their convenient size made them perfect for snacking. Unfortunately, due to packaging issues and potential choking hazards, they were discontinued in the late 2000s.
Hershey’s Kisses Cookies & Crème and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Cookie Bites Review by Tami Dunn
Altoids Sours
Altoids Sours was introduced at the beginning of the 2000s and brought a sour twist to the classic mint brand with flavors like raspberry and lime. While they had a loyal following, they were dropped in 2010, and there were online campaigns and petitions calling for their return.
Schyler, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wonka Shock Tarts
Wonka Shock Tarts were tangy, chewy candies that challenged taste buds with their sour intensity. Introduced in the 1960s as SweeTarts, they were rebranded in the late 1980s or early 1990s as Shock Tarts and later Shockers before being discontinued, much to fans's dismay.
Shockers or Shock Tarts? // TheCandyGuy by TheCandyGuy
Fried Apple Pie
The original featured a crispy, flaky crust filled with warm apple filling. Introduced in 1968, it was a beloved dessert. McDonald's replaced its fried apple pie with a baked version in the US in the early 1990s, but the original fried version is still sold in select international locations.
Croonchy Stars
Released in the late1980s, Croonchy Stars was cinnamon-flavored cereal with the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show, and its playfulness and unorthodox taste made it an instant favorite of kids. Alas, popular as it became, it got canceled, so fans have long been clamoring for its rebirth.
Croonchy Stars (1988) by Cereal Time TV
Fruit Stripe Gum
Fruit Stripe Gum was known for its vibrant zebra mascot and bold fruity flavors and was introduced in the 1960s. Each piece of this lively, zebra-printed chewing gum included temporary tattoos. Fruit Stripe Gum is still available today, though it has become harder to find in some stores.
