Since the late 1970s, Betty Crocker has been printing the words “Pudding in the Mix” on some of its cake mix boxes. The marketing suggests that in the dry ingredients package is a secret payload of prepared pudding or even a dedicated packet of pudding mix that will make your cake super moist. But, of … Read more
As anyone old enough to remember the 1990s about the era’s biggest commercial disasters, and Zima will almost certainly make the list. A favorite butt of pop-culture jokes, retrospectives treat the citrusy malt drink as a goofy corporate misfire alongside Crystal Pepsi, New Coke, and the Arch Deluxe. Late-night television turned ordering a Zima into … Read more
If you grew up in North America, the name “Hungry Jack” conjures images of pancake mix, bottles of syrup, and canned refrigerator biscuits with the Pillsbury doughboy smiling from the label. It has nothing to do with a flame-broiled Whopper. Things are a bit different in Australia. There, in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth, there are … Read more
For generations across the American South, a familiar linguistic exchange played out in convenience stores, service stations, and living rooms, and in many places, it still does. It went something like: “You want a Coke?” “Sure.” “What kind do you want?” “Dr Pepper.” To ordinary consumers, carbonated soft drinks were never rigid beverage categories. Nobody … Read more
If you grew up anywhere between the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachians during the mid-to-late 20th century, the lunch meat in your refrigerator was almost certainly made by Bryan. For Southern families, it was the go-to brand for hickory-smoked bacon, bologna, hot dogs, ham, souse, and even canned Vienna sausages and potted meat. I particularly … Read more
If you grew up in Mississippi or West Alabama during the mid-to-late 20th century, your kitchen was almost certainly stocked with Hardin’s Bread. It was everywhere. You saw the familiar logo at the front of local grocers and country stores. Its name was stamped on the metal push-bars on screen doors of corner markets from … Read more