In case you haven’t heard, the much-loved Hellmann’s mayo is back in South Africa, spreading joy once again in households across the nation! Thanks to Pick n Pay’s announcement to stock this beloved mayo brand, you no longer have to wander the shopping aisles with a longing for that creamy and tangy delight.
While we celebrate this fantastic news, it’s hard not to reminisce about the foodie products we’ve dearly missed and wish to savour once more, even if it’s just for a final taste.
At the top of our list is the Tempo bar. We bid farewell to this cherished chocolate bar when Cadbury introduced the 5 Star bar as its replacement. Although we won’t say no to a Cadbury 5 Star (we’re traumatised but not that traumatised), the loss of the Tempo bar was truly disheartening because nothing quite satisfied our cravings like its unique flavour.
Another product that left a void in Mzansi’s spirits, particularly as a popular ice breaker before the advent of social media, was the Cadbury Yes/No bar. It’s a chocolate that many South Africans would love to see grace the store aisles again, if only to indulge in nostalgic “back in the day” stories that can irritate today’s youngsters.
Nestlé’s iconic Chocolate Log is another dearly missed delight. When news of its discontinuation broke, the nation collectively mourned. While it had been a while since many of us last savoured a Chocolate Log, the classic old treat still held a special place in our hearts.
WATCH: Food24 recreates the Chocolate Log
The Caravan chocolate bar was quietly taken out of production several years ago by Nestlé, leaving a void in the lives of chocolate enthusiasts who fondly recall its irresistible charm and exceptional flavour.
Speaking of finger-friendly snacks, who wouldn’t feel warm and cosy at the sight of a humble Holey Moley packet from Cadbury? These delightful treats not only satisfied our sweet cravings but also brought joy as we playfully devoured them off our fingers.
Oh, and let’s not forget about Hula Hoops, the snack food made from potatoes and corn, shaped like short, hollow cylinders. The real fun was stacking as many as possible on our fingers before enjoying them as a delicious afternoon snack. Their return would surely rekindle nostalgic memories.
Although chips now come in various innovative flavours, we can’t help but crave some old-school favourites like Lays’ salt-and-vinegar-flavoured chips and Simba’s tomato-flavoured chips. These classics may not offer complex flavour profiles, but from the first bite, you knew exactly what you were devouring – the tart, salty pops of salt and vinegar, and the sweet, bold tomato hues. We eagerly await the day when these two products grace the shelves once more.
WATCH: Food24 recreates Lay’s Salt & Vinegar chips
Now, let’s dive into an age-old debate: All Gold vs Heinz tomato sauce. While we won’t take sides here, we do believe in the spice of life and embracing variety when it comes to T sauce. So, why not bring back Heinz tomato sauce to offer us more options?
Last but not least, let’s take a trip down memory lane with TaB, Coca-Cola’s first-ever diet drink. While it may have been more fizz than fun, this sugar- and caffeine-free alternative was a true pioneer in its time, paving the way for the success of Coke Zero. For the sake of nostalgia, let’s relish in one last fizzy TaB hit!
Although these products may have bid us farewell, the memories and flavours they evoked are forever etched in our souls, and here’s to one last hope we’ll see them again.
Let us know in the comments below what some of the products are that you’d love to see back in store today.