Reminiscing Forgotten Culinary Delights: 8 Beloved Food and Beverages We Bid Farewell to in 2023
Discover the bittersweet nostalgia of lost flavors! Indulge in the forgotten delights that once graced our palates, from Aha seltzer water and Anchor Steam beer to Dunkaccino and Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich Relish the memories of Pastina pasta, Raspberry Rally cookies, McDonald's McCafé sweets, and the refreshing Sierra Mist
You may have unknowingly savored the last bites and sips of your beloved food and drinks.
In 2023, McDonald's baked goods came to an end (but we can look forward to new treats at CosMcs), the final batch of a legendary craft beer, and a year-old Girl Scout cookie, along with other well-loved foods, are now part of history's trash heap.
Some culinary creations that left us this year include items that restaurants and food manufacturers are constantly reassessing to determine what's selling and what's not. Despite this reality, the disappearance of these items doesn't make their loss any easier for fans.
Aha seltzer water
Coca-Cola launched Aha, a new flavored seltzer water brand with a splash of caffeine, in 2019.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola's effort to launch a La Croix rival failed within three years of its introduction. Aha, a range of flavored seltzer waters (some with a hint of caffeine), was introduced in 2020 during the pandemic but did not capture the interest of consumers. In October, Coke revealed that the product will be discontinued from shelves next year as the company shifts its attention to the more successful Topo Chico brand. However, Aha will still be available for purchase in Canada.
Anchor Steam beer
Anchor Steam Brewing, the nation's first craft brewery, closed after 127 years.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
After 127 years in business, Anchor Brewing, America's oldest craft brewer, closed down in July, marking the end of its flagship Anchor Steam and other beloved beers. The company, based in San Francisco, attributed its closure to a "combination of challenging economic factors and declining sales since 2016" according to a press release. Some fans also point to mismanagement under Sapporo, the Japanese beer company that acquired it in 2017, as a factor in its demise.
Dunkaccino
The craft brewing industry faced another setback, grappling with changing consumer habits, increased expenses, and persistent supply-chain difficulties.
Dunkin' said goodbye to the Dunkaccino.
In March, Dunkin quietly removed the Dunkaccino from their menus, bringing an end to the drink's more than two-decade run as one of the chain's most recognizable drinks. The Dunkaccino, a blend of coffee and hot chocolate, is no longer available.
"The company spokesperson told CNN that as we strive for innovation and seeking new ways to please our guests, our menu undergoes continuous changes to provide a quick, seamless experience. The Dunkaccino has been retired for the time being, but there is always the possibility of its return in the future. Additionally, Dunkin has removed coconut milk from its menu, leading to the discontinuation of its Coconut Refreshers."
McDonalds McCafé sweets
The apple fritter, blueberry muffin and cinnamon roll are gone.
McDonald's
McDonald's has discontinued its range of McCafé baked goods, which includes an apple fritter, blueberry muffin, and cinnamon roll, marking the end of a three-year run for these sweet treats. In a statement, McDonald's mentioned that it is constantly listening to its customers and making adjustments to its menu based on their preferences, indicating that the items may not have been selling as well as they used to.
Pastina pasta
McDonald's is still embracing sweet treats, as evidenced by its continued sale of the iconic apple pie. In addition, the fast food giant is currently testing a collaboration with Krispy Kreme and offering new sweet treats at its CosMcs spinoff.
Ronzoni announced in January that the company is discontinuing its pastina pasta.
Ronzoni
It was rough start of the year for Italian grandmothers: Ronzoni announced it was axing the pastina, a tiny star-shaped pasta, from its lineup in January.
"We have listened to your feedback and are grateful for your love of Ronzoni Pastina," the company posted on Instagram in January. "Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue Ronzoni pastina. This decision was not taken lightly."
Ronzoni has attributed this decision to a "long-term supplier" that has announced it can no longer produce pastina.
Raspberry Rally cookies
Girl Scouts announced the new Raspberry Rally cookie in 2022.
Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
The Girl Scouts of the USA announced in October that they will be discontinuing the popular Raspberry Rally cookie, just one year after its highly successful launch. "While Raspberry Rally was extremely popular last year, we are taking a pause this season to prioritize supplying our classic varieties," the organization stated.
Last year, the Girl Scouts unveiled the Rallies as a "sister" cookie to the classic Thin Mints. Instead of the traditional mint-flavored cookie, the Raspberry Rally features a bright pink berry-flavored one, coated in the same chocolate as its sibling. The Rallies quickly became a hot commodity, with some chapters selling out of the $5 boxes in less than a day. On eBay, resellers were offering the Rallies for as much as $30 per box, sparking an online shopping frenzy.
Sierra Mist
Starry replaced Sierra Mist this year.
Richard Levine/Alamy Stock Photo
PepsiCo discontinued Sierra Mist in January after 24 years, replacing it with Starry, a new and more citrusy lemon-lime soda designed to compete with Sprite. Starry offers a refreshing alternative in a market dominated by a single brand for years, boasting a higher level of true-to-fruit citrus flavors and a more aromatic taste than its predecessor.
Sierra Mist was launched in 1999 to great excitement, but it never managed to compete with Sprites dominance. According to sales data from Beverage Digest reported by CNN, Sierra Mist's share of the soda market barely reached beyond a tenth of 1% and has been declining for at least the past five years. In contrast, Sprite has increased its share of the soda market over the same time period to nearly 8%.
Wendys grilled chicken sandwich
RIP Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich.
Wendy's has revamped its poultry offerings by replacing the traditional grilled chicken sandwich with a new grilled chicken ranch wrap, making it one of the healthiest options on the menu. This change took place in March.
Of course, other chains like Chick-fil-A, Whataburger and even Panera still sell grilled chicken sandwiches for those needing their cutlet fix.
