Remember these old-school crisps? We really wish they would bring some of them back, like Monster Munch, which turned your tongue blue, and weird flavor combinations.
As a child of the 90s I have fond memories of munching on Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops after school. That unforgettable tangy, beefy flavor was my absolute favorite. So you can imagine my disappointment when I recently learned that this iconic snack has been discontinued.
In this article, I’ll take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, exploring the history of Hula Hoops and the rise and fall of the Beef and Mustard variety. Stick with me as I get to the bottom of this snack food mystery.
A Brief History of Hula Hoops
Let’s start at the beginning. Hula Hoops first emerged on the snacking scene in 1973 under the KP Snacks brand in the UK and Ireland. These crunchy potato and corn snacks were hollow and resembled their namesake, the hula hoop toy.
Over the years, KP Snacks introduced various Hula Hoop flavors like Cheese, Prawn Cocktail and Sour Cream and Chive. But it wasn’t until the 2000s that the game-changing Beef and Mustard variety made its debut.
The Rise of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops
In 2008, KP Snacks launched a new Hula Hoops line called Hula Hoops Tortilla. Flavors included Cool Original, Chilli Salsa, and Nacho Cheese. But fans still clamored for the original Beef and Mustard flavor.
KP listened, and in 2010 they introduced Hula Hoops XL, bringing back the legendary Beef and Mustard along with other flavors These were an amped up version – bigger, bolder flavors in bigger bags KP even launched a £10 million marketing campaign to appeal to nostalgic snackers.
For those of us who grew up in the 90s, it was a total blast from the past. The Beef and Mustard Hoops tasted just like we remembered. The XL size made them even more addicting. This was the golden age of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops.
The Sudden Disappearance of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops
And then, tragedy struck. Despite their immense popularity, Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops suddenly vanished from stores. It was like the Bermuda Triangle of snack foods – one day they were there, the next they were gone without a trace.
Why would KP Snacks discontinue their most beloved flavor? There are a few theories out there:
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Production costs were too high – Those big bags of XL Hoops might have cut too far into profits.
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Lack of consumer demand – Sales may have dwindled over time. KP could have shifted focus to more profitable flavors.
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The flavor was too bold – Not everyone appreciated the intense beefy, mustardy tang.
No matter the reason, Beef and Mustard fans were left heartbroken, nostalgic for those unforgettable flavors.
Beef and Mustard Fans React to the Loss
The disappearance of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops didn’t go unnoticed. Fans made sure their voices were heard.
Many took to social media to express their outrage and longing. The snacks even got some high profile support – UK television presenters Ant and Dec tweeted that Beef and Mustard was their favorite flavor and begged KP to bring them back.
Some diehard snackers even started online petitions pleading for the return of Beef and Mustard. One Change.org petition has over 2,000 signatures!
But the protests and petitions haven’t swayed KP Snacks yet. So for now, the Beef and Mustard flavored hole in our hearts remains empty.
The Hunt to Recreate the Flavor Continues
With no sign of the original returning, some enterprising snack lovers have tried recreating their own versions of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops at home.
Food blogs and YouTube channels have shared various copycat recipes using seasonings and spices to emulate the tangy mustard and meaty beef flavors.
While home chefs are getting close, their creations just don’t fully measure up to the nostalgic flavors of the original XL Beef and Mustard Hoops. But the hunt continues as fans remain determined to revive the flavor they loved and lost.
Hula Hoops Today – New Flavors but No Beef and Mustard
Even without Beef and Mustard, the Hula Hoops brand lives on today with new innovations to tempt snackers.
KP Snacks now offers options like BBQ Beef and Flamin’ Hot flavors. They’ve also launched a “Big Hoops” variety, bringing back the larger sized hoops.
But so far, despite pleas from enthusiasts, the Beef and Mustard flavor has yet to make a comeback. KP seems to have moved on, focusing their efforts on trendy new flavor profiles.
For lots of millennials like me, though, the magic of Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops can never be replaced. I still hold out hope they might someday return, even for a limited time. A girl can dream!
The Mystery Remains Unsolved
So what really happened to Beef and Mustard Hula Hoops? Why did KP Snacks take away this beloved snack? Unless they dish, we may never know the whole truth.
In the meantime, all we can do is fondly remember the tangy, beefy crunch of these childhood favorites, and appreciate the Snack Food Gods when our paths cross with obscure flavors from the past.
We miss you, Beef and Mustard Hoops! Please come back soon so we can relive those unforgettable flavors. I’ll be first in line to stock up if you ever return.
Spaghetti-flavoured Monster Munch
Another weird Monster Munch combo, these crisps combined our favourite Italian food with crisps and they kinda worked. The jurys still out on this one TBH.
Blue Monster Munch
Please remember these?! They made your tongue blue! They tasted like pickled onions but were colored, and they were a big hit.
Tomato-flavoured crisps? Check. A tangy taste? Check. These Tangy Toms ticked all the boxes. Sadly no more!
Do you remember these tasty Doritos with pockets inside? They came in two flavors: nacho cheese and jalapeno cheddar.
Do Weighted Hula Hoops ACTUALLY WORK For Weight Loss & Exercise? (Fitbit Results Revealed)
FAQ
Do beef Hula Hoops contain beef?
Can you get Hula Hoops in America?
Can hula hoop reduce belly fat?
What is a big O’s hula hoops?
Big O’s were larger-than-normal Hula Hoops, packaged in larger bags and only available in Beef & Mustard flavour. The bag design used a black background featuring a large Big O’s logo. A smaller Hula Hoops logo featured in the bottom-corner whilst the flavour was in the opposite bottom-corner.
What are Frozen Hula Hoops?
Frozen Hula Hoops were made in 1991, and they were a frozen product that could be heated up at home. The format of this product was more like a hashbrown. The product has not been a big hit and was only recently rolled out to stores in Iceland. You can only get Original Salted and BBQ Beef flavors of this form of the product today.
Who makes hula hoops?
Hula Hoops come in different flavours, and are made by parent company KP Snacks. In 2008, KP started a new variety made with corn called ‘Hula Hoops Tortilla’, which come in Cool Original, Chilli Salsa, and Nacho Cheese flavours. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distribution of Hula Hoops is limited in Asia and South America.
What are Hula Hoops crisps?
Hula Hoops crisps come in many flavors and there have been various different versions of the product that were sold over the years like Shoks and Big O’s. If you live in Europe or you have traveled to Asia, you are probably much more familiar with this fun snack than American audiences would be.