There’s a good chance that many Snackology readers have a core memory of picking up their Game Boy, firing up either Pokémon Red or Pokémon Blue and being faced with one of the toughest decisions of their lives: Charmander, Bulbasaur or Squirtle?
I never faced that decision.
My first Pokémon game was Pokémon Yellow, which meant that as I played on my translucent purple Game Boy Color, Pikachu was my predestined starter Pokémon.
No matter which of those four Pokémon launched your journey to become a trainer, Goldfish has you covered. In honor of the franchise’s 30th anniversary, limited-edition bags of Goldfish x Pokémon crackers featuring Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pikachu are hitting stores this month.
Will you ... you know ... collect ’em all?
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The cost
Each package of Goldfish x Pokémon crackers retails for $3.69. You can find the Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur versions everywhere you buy Goldfish. Pikachu is exclusive to Walmart and Target.
The pics
ALSO FROM THE OMNICOSM
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It would be super easy to just dismiss the four different varieties of Goldfish x Pokémon as just recolors of the classic cheddar Goldfish crackers, but there are actually subtle differences to each character thanks to how Pepperidge Farm achieves the yellow, red, green and blue hues needed to match the four Pokémon featured on the bag.
“Colors sourced from plants” is printed on the side of each bag, but you have to dive into the ingredients on the bag of the bag to try to figure out the slightly different flavor that accompanies each Pokémon. The trick is to look at which ingredients Pepperidge Farm used to create the colors.
For Pikachu’s yellow, the culprits appear to be turmeric and paprika extracts. For Charmander’s red, paprika extract. Bulbasaur’s green likely comes from huito, watermelon juice concentrates, turmeric and paprika extracts. And Squirtle’s watery blue is also due to huito, watermelon juice concentrates and paprika extract.
When did Snackology become a science report? you’re likely asking at this point. Well, all those various plants don’t add color without coming with a hint of taste too. For example, the Charmander Goldfish have the slightest — slightest — hint of warmth to them due to paprika extract doing all the work when it comes to delivering that toasty red color. (I’m sure a Charizard bag of Goldfish would crank up the heat.)
I like that each variety of the Goldfish x Pokémon crackers has a touch of nuance to them. I’m on record as being a huge Goldfish fan, but it’s fun to see how the food scientists over at Pepperidge Farm crafted this promotion. Also, if you have a kid who’s picky over their Goldfish flavors, it’s good to know the Pokémon editions aren’t exactly what they’re used to. Trust a guy who once had to pick out every single beet juice-infused cracker from a box of Mickey Mouse Goldfish.
The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
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