Magic... momentarily (Nestlé Magic Straws)

Member Name: LadyAudley

Product:	Nestlé Magic Straws
Date:	26/10/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, light, convenient

Disadvantages: More packaging, taste isn't as good

I bought some magic straws for quite an unusual reason: I was competing in a mountain marathon in the Lake District, and milk was available at the overnight camp. I absolutely loathe and despise the taste of unadulterated cow juice, but I am partial to the odd milkshake or four.

I was also impressed by the lightness yet robustness of the packaging in the supermarket - something you definitely want to consider when you're carrying a tent, food, and all-weather gear for 50 miles over two days (or maybe if you're out and about with kids who like to play hard!). The straws were also cheap, at 10 for around a pound on special offer.

The straws themselves are made of rigid, see-through plastic, much tougher than your usual drinking straw from McDonalds. Inside are some small rock-like chocolatey pieces, much resembling tiny coco pops. When you stick the straw into a glass of milk and suck, these gradually dissolve, turning the drink chocolatey. You have to admit, that's a pretty ingenious idea.

Anyway, after running miles through pathless wilderness, battling through bracken, scrambling up hillsides and over rocks, it was fair to say that I was ready for a few dozen magic straws. I was so hungry that as soon as I got to camp, I pulled out the couple I had brought with me and stuck them straight into a carton of milk handed to me by a pitying attendant.

The first surprise was that quite a lot of suction was needed to get anything at all through the straw at first. Maybe it was the after-effects of a long day in the hills, but it felt more like a workout for my tongue than a pleasant drinking experience. The second surprise was that the chocolate taste wasn't very much like powdered Nestle at all, but instead had a distinctly chemically taste to it that wasn't entirely pleasant. Whatever process they are using to dry out these crystals still needs some perfecting to get that chocolateyness just right! Finally, to get the full benefit of the taste, you had to drink quite slowly - not something I was in the mood to do at the time!

However, I have to admit that the milk was indeed turned brown by the straws, much to the entertainment of my fellow competitors. I imagine that if you were out and about with kids, these would be very useful as a backstop. However, I have to admit I don't really see the point for home use. It's not exactly difficult to get a few spoonfuls of milkshake powder out of a pot and stir in some milk - and the result tastes so much better! That said, kids would probably love the novelty idea of a having 'magic straw' the first time round, though.

Summary: The novelty soon wears off.