When I did my cheese curls post I mentioned how I wish we could have tested cheese balls but Planter’s discontinued their canister snacks products (that are not nuts). Those were Ethan’s childhood favorite he wanted to test those.
I don’t know when Planter’s cheese balls were discontinued but there is a petition to bring them back. There seems to be something magical about the Blockbuster Video stores in Portland, OR because that’s where a reader in Portland, OR says they are the only place that sells them. I searched the Blockbuster’s around here to no avail. Anyway, from the kindness of her heart she sent me 2 (two) cannisters of these rare treats and it made a very awesome early Christmas present for Ethan ? Not only is she a fantastic person, but she makes very cool jewelry and the least I can do to repay this kindness is ask you to check out her site: http://www.sunshowerdesignjewelry.com/
Planters:
At last! Ethan was pretty excited to eat these yet cautious because sometimes things don’t taste as good as you remember them (as has been the case with a few items we’ve evaluated so far). As soon as Ethan popped on of these in his mouth he nodded his head and said it tasted just how he remembered. I don’t have a past connection with these but was impressed by the tangy cheese flavor and excellent “meltability”. There is also a pleasant buttery taste to these. Ethan’s said they just taste “right” and that was pretty much all that needed to be said considering he’s such loyal fan.
Utz:
These are considerably larger than Planter’s and also somewhat “rougher”. They do not have good meltability but do have decent cheese flavor although it goes away fast, which I guess gives the corn flavor a chance to shine. Ethan though these tasted pretty good too but recalled a time in the past where he ate too many and felt kind of sick. Although I guess you might feel sick if you eat too much of anything.
Wrap up:
Ethan still prefers his blast from the past, Planters, but did acknowledge that Utz was a good runner up. They make a pretty good cheese ball, but I feel the meltability of Planters is what keeps it ahead. Either would be acceptable for a cheese ball craving but Planters still gets the A+.
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Last month, I reviewed a Japanese cheese ring which tasted a lot like Planter’s cheez balls (http://japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com/2008/11/cheese-rounds-marui-cheezu-snack.html). The buttery taste of the Japanese ones is what really brought the memory of the Planter’s cheese balls back.
So many people lament the loss of the Cheez balls. I don’t understand why Planters doesn’t bring them back
Hey, did you receive the cheetos yet? I was wondering if it had got there yet…being christmas and all.
Speaking of Cheetos, I think Cheetos makes a 100 calorie pack of cheeseballs. In case you were looking for other types.
http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=3278
I could eat a garbage bag full of Planters Cheez Balls. They’re definately a weakness of mine.
I remember Planter’s Cheez Balls fondly. They were our favorites.
Also, Planter’s Peanut Butter. Does anyone else remember that? It was awesome as well –
Hey did anyone remember planters chilli balls
Woooow they were awesome …..
I remembered planters chilli balls.
only place I got them was when I went down to Trinidad.
Chilli balls still exist, but is owned by another company called sunshine snacks.
the taste is not the same…
there r only 1 kind of cheese ball and that is planters i hope they start making them again
Please Please!!!! To the PLANTERS Company
BRING BACK PLANTERS CHILLI BALLS
I WILL BUY IT FOREVER, I LOVE THEM……
I liked Utz better. It tasted so good to me as a kid.
I have been thinking about Planters Cheese Balls for the last two months. They are extremely good and I would even buy bulk if possible. Nothing like it exists anywhere. What reason did they have to stop making them?
oh no!!!
planters Cheese balls we need them back
I remember Planter’s Cheez Balls fondly. They were our favorites.
I had Planter’s occasionally, but just thought they were OK. I prefered cheetos for my cheesy snack as a kid.
Horray! 11 years after this article was written, Planters cheese balls have now returned! I’m not sure for how long, but they are widely available for the time being. Life is wonderful.