Cadbury has launched a mint edition of its popular Dairy Milk range, proudly boasting it is made using real peppermint oil. Don't confuse this bar with Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint Crisp (which incorporates Dairy Milk, mint flavour, and honeycomb pieces).
While browsing my Shopmium app° (it offers cashback on selected grocery purchases - use code d6ew3v when you register on the app to receive a tasty sign up offer), I noticed an offer of a free Cadbury Dairy Milk bar when I submitted four cashback requests within a set time period. Once I jumped through the hoops, I collected my free 180g bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint chocolate.
Packaging
The packaging follows the successful layout of Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, with everything set upon the iconic Cadbury purple background.
The Cadbury Dairy Milk logo (with the glass and a half of milk icon) sits above a stylised "mint" logo, which uses a mint leaf in place of the "i". The text "made with real peppermint oil" sits beneath this, perhaps to make it stand out from products that use synthetic mint flavouring.
A badge at the top indicates that this bar is new to the market.
The Cocoa Life logo sits next to text explaining the cocoa is 100% sustainably sourced. On the reverse, Cadbury builds on information about Cocoa Life programme. Text explains the aims of Cocoa Life supports Ghanaian farmers by offering "education and entrepreneurship training" to "make empowered farmers and thriving local communities". The bar also carries the Fairtrade Foundation logo.
The ingredients list sits next to this, and the nutritional information is next to this block.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint Chocolate Bar ingredients:
Milk, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, vegetable fats (palm, shea), emulsifiers (E442, E476), mint oil, flavourings. Cocoa solids: 20% minimum; milk solids: 20% minimum.
As expected for a mass-produced budget-friendly milk chocolate bar, the sugar content is 55% in this bar. Notice the curious addition of flavourings after mint oil - any ideas on what flavouring(s) it is and why it's in there? I'm guessing it's mint flavouring to help boost the power of the mint oil.
The bar contains dairy ingredients as well as possible traces of nuts and wheat. It's suitable for vegetarians.
Cadbury claims the equivalent of 426ml of fresh liquid milk features in every 227g of milk chocolate in reference to its "glass and a half" claim.
The packaging still carries Cadbury's royal warrant for HM The Queen as cocoa and chocolate manufacturers.
The resealable film wrapper is not recyclable yet, which is disappointing given Nestle and other manufacturers are trialling recyclable alternatives to film wrappers.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint Chocolate Bar Review
The chocolate bar itself follows the same format as others in the Cadbury Dairy Milk range, namely a grid of segments, each domed piece imprinted with the Cadbury logo. The distribution seems to facilitate nine portions of four segments, and indeed Cadbury agrees that four chunks (20g) is one sensible-sized portion.
This is notably two pieces smaller in portion size than it recommends for its Dairy Milk Hot Cross Bun bar. Why? I have no idea. To control the portion calorie count, perhaps?
The segments have a relatively dull snap, in part to this bar's high sugar content and its use of vegetable fats to reduce the cocoa butter proportions.
The peppermint aroma is clear and pungent. Thankfully it just about strays this side of 'toothpaste', although it doesn't feel entirely comfortable with Dairy Milk's sweet, buttery, creamy and lactic notes.
Cadbury Dairy Milk is designed to melt in the mouth, which it does, revealing a blend of creamy mouth feel with a forceful peppermint.
There's a a touch of graininess to the chocolate, but much of that characteristic Dairy Milk flavour is dwarfed by the mint. There's a buttery quality that comes through and the combination reminds me most of butter mints (or Butter Mintoes as they now seem to be called).
In the aftertaste, the peppermint subsides but still leaves a minty fresh taste. There's a strand of Dairy Milk flavour, but it's very faint.
Honestly, while edible, it wasn't terrifically enjoyable. Not bad, just meh. The peppermint seems to hijack the Cadbury Dairy Milk flavour, and without any additions such as crispy pieces, it doesn't feel like it works well. Combine the peppermint with the darker Bournville (here's one they made earlier°) and it may feel a happier combo, given that dark chocolate and mint are best friends.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint Chocolate Bar Review
RRP: £2.00 | Cadbury | Shop now°
Dairy Milk meets peppermint oil, but it's not a marriage that feels happy or stable. The mint overpowers the Dairy Milk characteristics leaving an uncomfortable flavour behind. It's edible, but doesn't feel as enjoyable as a dark chocolate and mint combo.
Where to Buy Online
I purchased my 180g bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint in Tesco, and received 100% cashback via my Shopmium app° (use code d6ew3v when you register on the app to receive a tasty sign up offer). The bar is available at most large supermarkets.
It's also available at Cadbury Gifts Direct here° as well as in Button form here°.
Outside of this period, eBay is probably your best bet°. It's also available on Amazon° too.
Would you try this or prefer to stick to the classic Dairy Milk bar? Let me know in a comment below.
