By Betty Ding (25A01B)
Cover picture credits: Isaac Chan (25A01B)
This is what happens when someone has too much free will.
Like most of my peers, I entered this school amidst tales of the famed Raffles Waffles, and simply had to give it a try. While asking around for flavour recommendations, I learned that it was, in fact, possible to combine two flavours together. For an avid waffle fan like me, it was life changing information.
I got curious (and hungry), so armed with Google Sheets and a dream, I mapped out all the possible waffle flavour combinations:
It dawned on me: the possibilities were endless. 28 possibilities, to be more specific.
Naturally, this led me down a rabbit hole of waffle experimentation – which is why I have taken it upon myself to rank all the waffle flavour combinations and organise it into a tier list. With S being the best rank and D being the worst, we shall see just what the best combination is.
Today (August 24th) is National Waffle Day in the United States, commemorating Cornelius Swartwout’s patent for the first waffle iron. In a way, this list is a small tribute to the timeless appeal of waffles.
To prove my credibility in ranking and taste-testing the waffles, here are some screenshots that can act as my resume:
I’m not too proud of it, but I guess it makes for good journalism. Without further ado, I present to you what I have been working on for the past few months.
D for Definitely not my Finest Moment
This group of waffles made me question: Will I finish the tier list, or will the tier list finish me?
The 5 waffle flavour combinations that are found at the bottom of the barrel are Chocolate Blueberry, Peanut Kaya, Peanut Cheese, Blueberry Cheese and Butter Cheese.
To briefly describe the flavour profiles of these unfortunate creations:
Chocolate Blueberry and Blueberry Cheese both give the blueberry a slightly sour tang, which does not make for a pleasant experience. In theory, one might expect the earthy notes of Peanut Kaya to mix well, but something about the smell leaves much to be desired.
Butter Cheese meets a similar fate in the sense that one would expect this savoury combination to work, or to even exceed expectations. Unfortunately, the butter is overly greasy and the cheese fails to make a noticeable impact, resulting in a disappointing waffle experience.
Peanut Cheese is a strange mix, where the cold cheese clashes with the slightly salty peanut butter, leading to an oddly sour flavour that is simply off-putting. It is worth noting that the first few bites did give me some hope that this combination could work out, so the experience is not a complete disaster.
Rather, it is a slow descent into madness: a perplexing blend that starts off intriguingly but ultimately fizzles into a flavour mess that is hard to enjoy.
I might have emerged from this experience slightly traumatised, but in the name of quality journalism, I march on with unwavering resolve.
C for Cautiously Consider if you are Desperate
This group of waffles can be hit or miss, leaning heavily towards the latter. The 7 flavours that find themselves in this category are Chocolate Nutella, Peanut Blueberry, Kaya Maple, Kaya Blueberry, Kaya Butter, Kaya Cheese and Maple Cheese.
Here’s what you need to know about these flavours:
Even though Chocolate and Nutella are quite distinctive, the Chocolate Nutella waffle essentially tastes the same, offering no new experience. Given that this version does not provide any additional value, it’s better to stick with plain old Chocolate. It’s not terrible, but it does not justify a repeat visit.
Peanut Blueberry presents an odd contrast – the blueberry is overly sweet, while the peanut butter adds a salty touch. The aftertaste is not terrible, and the blueberry flavour might grow on you, but it’s not quite enough to make this pairing a winner.
Maybe the maple in Maple Cheese is secretly Houdini as it escaped immediately, being nowhere to be found. It seems that the waffle must have absorbed all the maple before it could mingle with the cheese to produce an interesting mash-up of flavours. We’re not mad, just disappointed.
For the four kaya combinations, the kaya is either too strong or not strong enough. As a kaya toast fan, I had high hopes for Kaya Butter, and had wished for it to deliver a similar gastronomical experience. My dreams came crashing down, as somehow all I could taste was the butter. Safe to say, that experience left a bad taste in my mouth, made worse by the lack of kaya.
B for The Best is Yet to B
This group of waffles is painfully average. Where’s the wow factor? Where’s the drama? There is none. So boring, that the highest praise for most of the waffles here is a mere “Not Bad” – which was the deciding factor for the waffle to be bumped up from a C to a B. If it makes me feel sadness, it can see itself in C.
11 waffles find themselves in this mundane predicament: Chocolate Kaya, Chocolate Maple, Chocolate Butter, Peanut Maple, Peanut Butter, Kaya Nutella, Blueberry Nutella, Butter Nutella, Cheese Nutella, Maple Blueberry and Blueberry Butter.
Both Chocolate Kaya and Chocolate Maple just result in the chocolate overpowering the other flavours. Chocolate Butter seems to escape the same fate, but suffers in its own way – you can taste the butter but the flavours are not cohesive and do not seem to mingle at all. The butter gives the chocolate an interesting flavour profile though, as the salty butter does somehow complement the sweet chocolate.
Peanut Maple is unimpressive. The peanut butter’s usual earthy texture and flavour are overshadowed by the sweetness of the maple, which does not quite compare to the original peanut butter experience. While it still tastes good, it doesn’t quite match up to the classic peanut butter alone. Unlike Peanut Maple, Peanut and Butter is notably salty, but still a solid choice – the texture is well-balanced and the peanut butter is nicely complemented by the butter.
When it comes to Nutella pairings, the texture is consistently enjoyable due to the thickness of both components. Kaya Nutella has a balanced texture, with neither flavour overpowering the other. Blueberry Nutella presents a nice blend of flavours, with the Nutella standing out a bit more than the blueberry, offering a fruity twist on the classic.
Butter Nutella is intriguing but tends to be a bit greasy, though Nutella’s appeal keeps it delightful. Cheese Nutella, on the other hand, delivers a flavour reminiscent of Ferrero Rocher with a cheesy twist, though the chocolate tends to dominate. Each combination has its merits, but they vary in how well they balance their distinct flavours.
Nothing too special about Maple Blueberry and Blueberry Butter, but they each offer a subtle charm. Maple Blueberry presents a balanced combination, where the sweetness of the maple complements the blueberry without overwhelming it. Blueberry Butter brings together the fruity blueberry with the butter, creating a delectable flavour profile. Neither is groundbreaking, but both are enjoyable in their own right.
A for Almost Amazing
This group of waffles gave me hope. Hope for a better future, a better tomorrow, and maybe better luck in my waffle adventures. While they didn’t quite reach the pinnacle of perfection, they showed flashes of brilliance and left me yearning for just a bit more. This ensemble consists of 4 waffle flavours: Chocolate Cheese, Peanut Nutella, Maple Butter and Maple Nutella.
Chocolate Cheese might be controversial, given how much this article has been critiquing cheese. It seems like a questionable combination, but surprisingly it is not that offensive.
Initially, you get the rich taste of chocolate, but after a few bites, the cheese starts to make its presence known. It even adds a slight sourness that contrasts nicely with the chocolate. The texture is a solid 10/10—soft and smooth without being overwhelming.
However, it’s worth noting that chocolate did end up on a poor taste tester’s maths book during this endeavour, so points are deducted for that. Still, not a bad combination and definitely worth a try.
The flavour profile of Peanut Nutella is surprisingly dominated by the peanut butter, with the hazelnutty notes of Nutella coming through underneath. Texturally, it’s a bit on the thicker side but it still works.
Maple Butter combines the salty richness of butter with the sweet allure of maple, creating a flavour that should be delightful. However, due to the liquid-y nature of both fillings, the waffle can end up a bit greasy, and your bag might get soaked. Despite this minor inconvenience, the flavour pairing is delightful.
Maple Nutella offers a subtle hint of maple alongside the familiar Nutella taste. It’s a twist on the classic, providing a nice variation, though it might not be as distinctive as some other options. Still, it’s a solid choice for those looking to try something a bit different.
S for Simply Sublime
This waffle flavour is my top pick, embodying everything a perfect waffle should be. Whenever people ask me for a flavour recommendation, I always promote Peanut Chocolate. The combination of taste, texture, and overall delight is unmatched, making it a standout choice that I cannot help but rave about. It’s simply sublime in every way.
The sweetness of the chocolate compliments the salty peanut butter well, and there is something about how the waffle absorbs the sauces that gives it a good bite and texture. Think of a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but in waffle form. It actually cannot go wrong.
Why Stop Here?
Once I have fully exploited my own liberties, there is simply no going back.
In my waffle career, I have tried adding Lotus Biscoff biscuits into a chocolate waffle, and the result was nothing short of heavenly. The combination of the rich chocolate with the cinnamon and crunch of the Biscoff biscuits created an indulgent treat that elevated the waffle to new heights.
My class had also decided to try adding chicken to maple waffles. It sounds wild, but the savoury chicken combined with the sweet, sticky maple syrup created an unexpectedly intriguing fusion. The contrast between the crispy chicken and the sweet maple syrup made for a daring, if unconventional, waffle experience.
It might not become a staple, but it is a bold reminder of the endless possibilities when it comes to waffle experimentation.
Of course, I do not expect everyone to agree with my opinions and rankings, which is why I am open to trying them again – provided you sponsor it. I rarely ever say no to a free waffle. I would say “I never say no” but if there is anything this article has taught me, is that free will might be “free,” but it can truly make you pay.
Special thanks (and apologies) to Zee Yann, Isaac Chan, Abigail, Wei Han and Meryl for being my taste testers throughout this whole process, as well as anyone who has enabled me to get waffles.