I mean there is also a big difference between American brands in the US and the EU. Last time I went to the US, I brought back snickers, Twix, and KitKats. Then I bought the EU alternative and set up a double blinded taste test with my friends.

Without fail we all immediately were able to tell them apart. The American version was chalky and tasted like pure sugar. The EU version, albeit also nowhere near Tony quality and still very sweet, was much higher quality and you could taste the individual components of the candy. It was not just a sweet punch in the face.

[–] cocolowlander 7 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I worked in a Nabisco factory a decade ago in the US making Oreo.

They've consistently looked for cost cutting measures to reduce the amount of cocoa powder (expensive input) put into the product. What happened when I was there was they would look for a new vendor that would offer stronger cocoa flavor profile per kg and then use that as a justification to cut the amount of cocoa powder in the product. To mask it they would amp up the sweetness.

In a blind test, a normal people can't tell the difference year to year, but if you compare it to what it was ten years ago, there would be a noticeable difference.

[–] JokeDeity@lemm.ee 2 points 13 hours ago

As to the last paragraph. Totally right that we don't notice the gradual change right away, but I don't think I'm alone in thinking everything just kind of tastes like shit now. Everything. Produce isn't good, meats aren't good, groceries are completely fucked. The entire food industry has been tinkered with by greedy bastards for so long it's just all garbage now.

[–] Aux@feddit.uk 1 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

Twix is British.

[–] neo2478@sh.itjust.works 1 points 13 hours ago

TIL it’s Mars. The point still stands though.

[–] Flisty@mstdn.social 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

@Aux @neo2478 it might have started in the UK but it's owned by Mars and I'm pretty sure they sell a US one

[–] Flisty@mstdn.social 1 points 13 hours ago

@Aux @neo2478 KitKat was also British (Rowntrees) but it's now Nestle except the US where it's Reese's (Hershey's)