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Links We Love Singapore

Weekend Reads: 6 – 8 April

Another week has passed, and that means it’s time for a whole new set of Weekend Reads. Read on for some intriguing stories about Snapple facts, Sophie Turner (aka Sansa Stark), the newest place to get your bubble tea fix, and more!

When Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner isn’t running Winterfell as Lady Stark, she’s busy critiquing sausages on Instagram.

Snapple facts
Cr: huffingtonpost.com

Here’s the answer to the question we’ve asked for most of our lives: are Snapple facts true?

Dream job alert! Get paid to travel the world and think up new yoghurt flavours. Shh, we’re updating our resumes.

In other dairy-related news, this ice cream shop is coming up with a new flavour inspired by the Royal Wedding Cake. Ya know, for all us plebs out there.

Colour changing gin
Cr: thegintomytonic.com

You’ll definitely want these colour-changing gins for your next drinking session.

Speaking of cool drinks, check out the handmade flavoured pearls at Singapore’s newest bubble tea shop.

McDonald’s is jumping on the health bandwagon with their Red Rice Porridge, and it seems to be pretty good.

The fast-food chain is being nice to Mother Nature too, by phasing out plastic straws.

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Links We Love Singapore

Weekend Reads: 23 – 25 March

Hear ye, hear ye. Chope’s collection of the hottest news in the food world is out! In this edition of Weekend Reads, check out the supermarket that’s selling 3-kilo buckets of Nutella, Popeye’s new and delightfully sinful menu, and how to get free Ben & Jerry’s for a year.

Guess who’s jumping on the brunch bandwagon? Popeye’s is now selling fried chicken waffles, and you can bet they’re selling like hotcakes.

Nutella
Cr: vice.com

Whoever said you can’t buy happiness obviously hasn’t seen these 3-kilo buckets of Nutella, sold only in one supermarket in Germany. Someone get us plane tickets!

Not all heroes wear capes. This woman DESTROYED her male opponent in a cotton candy eating contest.

This awesome ship-shaped barbecue is making waves all over the Internet.

Get a sneak peek of the Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and fiancee have finally picked a bakery for their wedding cake!

Durian season is finally here! With Mao Shan Wang prices at an all-time low, grab all the durian you can get your hands on with this list of sellers.

Ben and Jerry's
Cr: eatbook.sg

Here’s how you can get a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for free.

Our Muslim friends can rejoice and get a taste of Subway cookies, because Subway is finally applying for a Halal certificate.

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Features Lifestyle Others Reviews Singapore

Chope Tries: All 18 toppings at The Magnum Pleasure Bar (on 10 ice creams)

If you’re well-versed in all things ice cream, then The Magnum Pleasure Bar needs no introduction. Known for their bespoke Magnum bars, The Magnum Pleasure Bar provides a “Make My Magnum” experience for those who enjoy an extra touch of lovin’ to their usual icy delights.

Magnum Pleasure Store - Store Front
With a whopping 18 classic and exotic toppings to choose from (rose petals and chilli flakes, anyone?), there are all sorts of interesting creations you can experiment with.

Being scientific people, we made space in our stomachs and marched down with a mission to try all 18 toppings available to us. 10 ice cream bars, 2 cups of coffee, and 1 serious case of diet-related regret later, here’s our definitive guide to the Magnum experience.

Loco for Cocoa: The Humble Chocolate vs. The Massive Attack

oreo-speculoos-almondchoc-cookies-mixed-choc-pearls-cocoa-nibs
For a full-fledged cocoa experience, your best bet is the Dark Chocolate Coating & White Chocolate Drizzle topped with Crushed Oreos, Almonds, and Speculoos (above left). You would think that this chocolate-heavy creation would be overwhelming on the palate, but the speculoos crumbs provide just the right hit of flavours to cut through all that cocoa.

On the other hand, the Dark Chocolate Coating & White Chocolate Drizzle with Crushed Chocolate Cookies, Cocoa Pearls, and Cacao Nibs (above right) guarantees you a one-way street to achieving that chocolate high. There’s nothing about this combo that doesn’t scream “chock full of chocolate” with every bite!

Verdict
If you just need a chocolatey boost, the first combo’s definitely go-to. But if you think you’re ready, go all out with the second pairing because #yolo.

 

Insta-worthy Babes: Flatter-Me-Floral vs. Vanilla Romance

rose-pearls-popping-candyrose-pistachio-popping-candy
When comparing Rose Petals, White Chocolate Pearls, and Popping Candy with Dark Chocolate Coating & Milk Chocolate Drizzle (above left) with the Rose Petals, Crushed Pistachio, and Popping Candy with White Chocolate Coating & Dark Chocolate Drizzle (above right), we didn’t know what to expect – until we had our first mouthfuls of these two gorgeous ice creams.

With the first combination, you get dark, velvety smooth chocolate punctuated with sweet fizzing from the popping candy and a hint of floral essence from the rose petals. On the other hand, the second creation was creamy and light with the white chocolate coating that’s mellowed down by the dark chocolate drizzle. The crushed pistachios add a nice contrast in textures as well.

Verdict
Need a shot for your Instagram? These bad boys are where it’s at. Even if your friends can’t taste the ice cream through your photos, these visually stunning creations are enough to get them drooling over your Insta-feed!

 

The ‘Spice’ Girls: Fiery Delight vs. Pop-Rock Bonanza

chili-popping-candy-rosegold-nuggets-chili-popping-candy
The Popping Candy, Rose Petals, and Chilli Flakes with Milk Chocolate Coating & Dark Chocolate Drizzle (above left) combination opens with an innocently smooth first bite before the floral and herbal hints from rose petals makes a subtle appearance. Then, without warning, the small-but-powerful chilli flakes show their strength and leave your mouth tingling with warmth.

If you love textures, you can’t go wrong with the Gold Nuggets, Popping Candy, and Chili Flakes with Dark Chocolate Coating & White Chocolate Drizzle (above right). Not only do the gold nuggets and popping candy paint a contrast of colours against the noir-coating of the ice cream, the fiery chilli flakes once again do their thing and spice things up on the palate too. 

Verdict
Take heed: these creations are not of the faint of heart! But if you’re looking to try something out-of-the-box, look no further than these two combos at the Magnum Store.

 

Salty is the new Sweet: The Wolfberry Beauty vs. The Nutty Novice

goji-salt-nibssalted-peanuts-chocolate-pearls-sunflower-seeds
Combining Goji Berries, Sea Salt Flakes, and Cacao Nibs with Dark Chocolate Coating & White Chocolate Drizzle (above left), a bite out of this gives you the smoothness of the chocolate with hints of saltiness staccatoed with bittersweet wolfberries.

We compared this creation with its equally salty counterpart, comprising Salted Peanuts, Chocolate Pearls, and Sunflower Seeds with White Chocolate Coating & Dark Chocolate Drizzle (above right). Perfect for those who prefer a little more texture, and less of an Asian bent, this creation has a layer of White Chocolate coating that brings the sweetness to a whole new level.

Verdict
These beauties are meant for those who love a touch of umami to go with their desserts. Though these may be odd combinations for some, we say ‘don’t knock it till you try it’!

 

The Battle of Textures: Pillowy Ebony vs. Crunchy Ivory

peanut-butter-chips-marshmallows-oreospeculoos-pretzels-almonds
What happens when you top Peanut Butter Chips, Marshmallows, and Crushed Oreos onto an ice cream and coat it with Dark Chocolate with a Milk Chocolate Drizzle (above left)? You get this insanely indulgent piece Reese’s’ Pieces and Marshmallows, coming together with the dark, smooth chocolate ice cream.

If you’re in need of something milder, the Crushed Speculoos, Pretzels, and Almonds with White Chocolate Coating & Dark Chocolate Drizzle (above right) transports you back into time with its vanilla-esque flavours and fun, crunchy bits to keep things interesting.

Verdict
These combinations are jam-packed with fun flavours and it’s impossible not to feel like you have a party in your mouth with every bite – perfect for people old and young.

 

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