McVitie's, the iconic British biscuit and cake manufacturer with roots dating back to 1839, has unveiled two new flavours in its popular cake bar range as part of a summer collection. However, the launch has ignited a debate among loyal customers who are pointing out a significant timing issue—it is still winter.
A Legacy of Sweet Treats
Founded as a small provision shop on Rose Street in Edinburgh, Scotland, McVitie's has grown into one of the nation's most cherished brands. Over the decades, it has become synonymous with beloved products like the Jaffa Cake and the classic Milk Chocolate Digestive. The company's cake bars, individually wrapped layers of sponge cake topped with chocolate, have become a staple in its lineup, featuring flavours inspired by other popular chocolate bars such as Penguin chocolate milkshake and Milky Way.
New Summer Flavours Unveiled
The two new additions to the cake bar collection are strawberries and cream, and pineapple and coconut. Each bar consists of a sponge cake base, a layer of flavoured cream, and a coating of decadent chocolate. These products were recently spotted in Iceland supermarkets and shared on the Instagram account New Foods UK, which boasts 370,000 followers and is known for showcasing the latest food products across the country.
In a post, New Foods UK simply captioned an image of the bars: "New McVitie's Cake Bars from Iceland Foods. These sound amazing!" The account frequently provides updates and reviews, helping to build anticipation among snack enthusiasts.
Customer Reactions and Timing Concerns
Despite the excitement, many Instagram users were quick to highlight the incongruity of a summer collection launching in February. One commenter remarked: "'Summer collection'. It's still winter??" Another added sarcastically: "Well we've already had Easter for a few months so it must be summer now according to the supermarkets."
Some fans expressed that while the flavours sound appealing, they are not yet in the mood for summery treats. A user noted: "They do sound amazing but it's still winter!! I'm far too cold to even think about summery flavours. I'm still craving winter goodies." However, others were eager to try them immediately, with one person stating: "The pineapple and coconut ones are a definite for me," and another tagging a friend to share the news.
Historical Context and Brand Evolution
McVitie's journey from its humble beginnings in 1839 to a household name is marked by key milestones. In 1888, Charles Price joined the company, and over the next 13 years, he helped expand the brand into McVitie & Price. A pivotal moment came in 1892 when Alexander Grant developed the original recipe for the famous McVitie's Digestives biscuit, a secret that remains closely guarded to this day.
This latest launch reflects the brand's ongoing innovation in the competitive snack market, even as it navigates seasonal marketing strategies that sometimes clash with consumer expectations.
