Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Pepsi puts pineapples on top at Little Caesars
PepsiCo is setting out to try to answer the age-old question: Does pineapple belong on pizza?
The beverage giant is partnering with Little Caesars to give pineapple lovers a new way to be enthusiastic about their favorite fruit. For a limited time, customers can order a combo that includes a 16-ounce Pepsi Pineapple and a large two-topping thin-crust pizza.
“There’s always a passionate discussion surrounding pineapple on pizza,” Greg Hamilton, Little Caesars’ chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “Together with Pepsi, we’re satisfying ALL pineapple lovers, regardless of how they feel about it as a pizza topping.”
A 2017 poll from Public Policy Polling found 47% of Americans favored using pineapple as a pizza topping, while 32% were against it. Pizza Today recently listed the top five most popular toppings, and pineapple didn’t make the list. Pepperoni came in at No. 1.
Pepsi Pineapple, with its combination of Pepsi cola as well as the fruity notes of pineapple, made its original debut in 2020 for a limited time.
PepsiCo is no stranger to experimenting with small-batches of new and unconventional flavors.
During the last few years, the New York-based company has rolled out maple syrup, Cracker Jack, Peeps and Pepsi Apple Pie offerings. But unlike those sodas, with the exception of Peeps, the offerings highlight another food product that is enjoyed by a large majority of the population. Regardless of where consumers stand on the taste of Pepsi Pineapple, the soda is unlikely to put to rest the ongoing debate over whether the yellow fruit should join sauce, cheese and crust on a pizza.
— Christopher Doering
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Courtesy of Pillsbury
Pillsbury cuts and squeezes banana bread batter
Home bakers who love making banana bread but don’t want to wait for the fruit to ripen are in luck.
Pillsbury’s new Cut & Squeeze Banana Bread Batter is packaged in a salami-shaped dough tube similar to its other baked goods products, such as Cookie Dough and Cinnamon Rolls.
The company said in a press release the product contains real bananas, and can be made in 60 to 70 minutes. Pillsbury touts the offering as “mess free,” compared to traditional baking.
The baked goods product is available at Publix, Albertsons and Safeway locations. It will expand to more locations later this month, the company said.
Banana bread has remained a staple in baking since it was popularized in the 1930’s when people looked for a way to preserve overripe bananas during the Great Depression. It saw another surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when home-baking skyrocketed due to the closure of bakeries and restaurants. Banana bread was the most searched-for recipe on the internet at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
It remains to be seen whether Pillsbury’s Banana Bread Batter will be enough to convince those who are used to baking it the old-fashioned way. Some critics have expressed doubt about whether bread made from the batter will live up to the traditional method. But the ease of not having to mix and measure ingredients may prove successful with consumers who want a quicker way to make the classic baked bread.
— Chris Casey
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Permission granted by Peak State Coffee
Peak State rises up with mushroom-infused coffee
Peak State Coffee is falling for a new brew.
The Colorado-based company is launching what it touts as the first adaptogenic mushroom-infused coffee in a reusable and recyclable can.
The company infuses functional mushrooms into premium, organic, whole coffee beans through a patented process, adding health benefits to people who are looking for more functional properties to the items they consume every day.
“We are on a mission to redefine the coffee experience and promote a sustainable future,” company founder and CEO Danny Walsh said in a statement. “By combining our love for exceptional coffee with the incredible health benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms, we aim to elevate the taste and functionality of coffee while championing sustainability.”
Peak State said its “Coffee With Benefits” eco cans are only available through its website with the goal of being on Amazon and retail shelves this fall.
Inspiration for the company started in 2020 came after Walsh experienced health issues that were made worse by stress. He learned to forage wild chaga mushrooms and brewed them in an immunity tea which slowly healed him.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, many consumers were looking for food and drink that had benefits. A 2019 study from Kerry found 65% of consumers looked for function in what they eat and drink.
The pandemic supercharged the drive for functional food and drink, with Research and Markets estimating the global functional beverage market will be worth $209 billion in 2027 compared to nearly $147 billion a year ago.
— Christopher Doering