1998-2024 Twinkies Shelf Stable Cake Comparison Review Historical Americana Snack Food Exploration

Will Twinkies last forever? This is the iconic shelf stable baked good that was made popular during WW2 via a substitution of bananas for a cream-like filling. The rationing of all food during the war, including bananas, lead to major shortages. Some folks went 6 years without eating a banana during that time. After the war? They kept it as the cream filling because they sold way more and it became the most popular and loved shelf stable baked good of all time.
Now it's time you go buy a few boxes of Twinkies and eat a couple while you watch this review. See for yourself, they're so good you can't just have one!
Stay tuned, up next for this kind of shelf stable food reviewing, we have a can of kippered herring from 1940 or so, and it looks perfectly preserved. We shall see how well it held up, and we will talk about the company who made them. They are a wonderful provider of the finest sardines, and I'm doing a comparison of their old to the new produced can.
For correspondence, or to send a Military Ration for review, my exact mailing information is:
Steve1989
3616 Harden Blvd
360
Lakeland, FL 33803
www.patreon.com/user?u=282133...
teespring.com/stores/steve1989
For correspondence, or to send a Military Ration for review, my exact mailing information is:
Steve1989
3616 Harden Blvd
360
Lakeland, FL 33803
www.patreon.com/user?u=282133...
teespring.com/stores/steve1989

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

Steve trying to "determine the flavor" of a modern Twinkie by taking like 15 bites, never once coming to a complete conclusion, only to be followed by a hard cut and a despondent "I took a nap" is comdey gold.

[@anareel4562]

Eating like 4 Twinkies will do that to ya

[@Addictedtocollecting01]

🤣🤣🤣 it was absolutely perfect! (Lmao when that happened) Steve knows what's up 👍

[@Toastyy410]

That was hysterical hahahaha

[@IVEdge]

That much vegetable oil is enough to put a grown man on his ass.

[@EricGranata]

So funny.

[@soulknife20]

Sugar-enriched flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, polysorbate 60, and Yellow Dye No. 5. Just everything a growing boy needs.

[@cyberneticshadow5572]

Die Hard reference!! Thank you😂

[@soulknife20]

​@@cyberneticshadow5572I had to. It was right there for the taking

[@williamzoom]

Welcome to the party pal!

[@JonnyParker-]

In mother Russia , Twinkie desiccates you !

[@aatifrathod7485]

Now I have a machine gun. Ho…ho…ho…

[@ConnorNolanTech]

In Zombieland, Woody talks about how short the shelflife of Twinkies actually is, and that's why he's so gung-ho to find one. He knows he only has a little while left to find a good one

[@TheGrumpy01]

Woody is barrelling down to Steves Place right now!

[@Gillymonster18]

Glad I’m not the only one to remember that line “Twinkies *have* an expiration date.” “I don’t like snowballs, it’s not the taste, it’s the consistency.”

[@MrHrannsi]

About to continue my play in Project Zomboid, if I find a Twinkie I will remember this one 🙂

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

He's a damn VEGAN!

[@darrylcampbell9733]

This is probably the most unhinged video you’ve made Steve and I love it 😂 dude literally took a nap, woke up and started filming again for us

[@Steve1989MRE]

Happy 4th of July everyone, be safe out there and have fun. Hope you enjoy this one - it took a bit of time to accumulate this many generations of Twinkies. They're a true All-American shelf stable snack - what an experience. Alright cool, see ya.

[@ericpearson953]

Nice!

[@Daggerville1]

Nice!

[@papichulo284]

Happy 4th of July! Thanks for the video.

[@wildbilly73]

Nothin’ but LOVE ❤

[@user-sc9tm6ed7r]

They're probably terrible for me, but I absolutely love Twinkies.

[@doug9359]

did i just witness the birth of a new content category after years of watching this man eat MRE’s?

[@jasonhuang6332]

This is huge and I'm so excited

[@troglodytehunter]

Americana is such a natural branch-out from MREs, too

[@12345.......]

I hope so

[@ComplexMotivations]

I mean, Twinkies are the king of Shelf Stable food in post apocalypse fiction. There is a bit of crossover with MRE's

[@heruhcanedean]

@@ComplexMotivations I've done tests with twinkies, backs up the fiction part. I'd rather eat the rad-roaches. Fresh twinkies roasted over a campfire are incredible.

[@brianartillery]

The only time I have ever eaten Twinkies, was in the 1990's, when I worked as a shipping agent. A 40'DV (container) was taken out of a pile of long unclaimed boxes, the contents were usually written off, and sold, or if food items, destroyed. The container was full of cases of Twinkies. This 40DV had been sitting outside for at least a couple of years, in all weathers. The Twinkies inside, were unchanged and edible. I hadn't believed the joke about Cockroaches and Twinkies being the only things left after the apocalypse, but after that first bite... Thank you, Steve. Nice one.

[@kingkarlito]

as he shows here, everyone has known twinkies do not last long at all for awhile now bro. you need to rethink your made up stories.

[@brianartillery]

@@kingkarlito - If I had been making it up, I would have written a better story. The Twinkies in that container had been there about two years. In a sealed container, but outside. May I suggest that, before you decide to have a go at someone on the net, you read the thing that annoys you properly, from start to finish, and assimilate the pertinent facts. Good talking with you.

[@Merjia]

I never thought we would be comparing Twinkies like a sommelier, but if anyone would be it's Steve. What a legend.

[@jayrivers773]

💯

[@jsb8261]

I like the idea of the channel branching out into other shelf stable foods. An unexpected but welcome addition.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@plumbherhub1664]

Top romin noodles next please

[@ozzie_goat]

​@@plumbherhub1664How do you manage to misspell "ramen" so horribly

[@lal2627]

@@ozzie_goat Those noodles have no master

[@TheUltimateWriterNZ]

Lost it when Steve took a nap after eating 2 Twinkie’s 🤣🤣

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@100GTAGUY]

Then wakes up to say "starting the day off right" haha

[@HerpaDurpVg]

The most “Twinkie” experience one can have!!

[@gunnwalder3242]

❤​@@Steve1989MRE

[@TheUltimateWriterNZ]

@@HerpaDurpVg literally 🤣🤣

[@patvogt1106]

That was one of the most satisfying “let’s get this out onto a tray” I have ever heard.

[@StevenJohnsonAKASven]

It absolutely sent me and I have no idea why.

[@jesuslovesmebetter]

Nice

[@EatCarbs]

When they closed the Seattle building where Twinkies were made my buddy, who's in construction, worked on the crew that tore down the building. They had left the machines where the chocolate was melted and had some leftover in the bottom of them. I told him he could have put chuncks of chocolate on Ebay, but he never did. Thanks for the video

[@Steve1989MRE]

Oh man missed opportunity! haha thanks for stopping by.

[@jonsmith6331]

I love Steve saying "hold on one sec" before biting into the old twinkie as if we are going anywhere.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@cinderellie9583]

....here hold on

[@GCMS]

A Twinkie review is not what we expected on this 4th of July! Thank you for what you do Steve.

[@Ulfrich_Stormcock]

Ngl I actually laughed out loud at this. I mean I guess it is a ration if you use your imagination!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Happy 4th to you and yours! I hope everyone has a top tier night and be safe. Alright cool, see ya!

[@DonariaRegia]

@@Steve1989MRE Can you test the flammability of these Twinkies? I have a feeling as they age they are more appropriate for kindling rather than food.

[@defs8073]

Youre not gonna lie? Why would you? Who asked you to? ​@Ulfrich_Stormcock

[@Ulfrich_Stormcock]

@@defs8073 it’s an expression chilll

[@bband7660]

I cannot express the sheer combination of shock and joy everytime this man brought out ANOTHER Twinkie from the past 🤣🤣🤣

[@SabreLeonheart]

"Hey, where's the cream filling?" "Nice!!!!! " "Now that's the stuff .....!"

[@CastleBravo.S]

1998 Twinkie encountering the 2020 Twinkie is going to have a meltdown when he learns everything that happened this 20 years

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@BassGoesBoom1]

Pre 9/11 twinkie

[@spartan1010101]

Just hearing that it almost disappeared off the face of the Earth would be stressful lol

[@Anonymaus209]

"The future's not been kind to you, has it?"

[@neils2357]

They're gonna be called T woke ies soon 😂

[@MarkKalal]

"It's its own little ozone layer." I'm confident no food critic has ever said that before.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@TheTulerie]

I grew up close to one of the hostess factories in Chino, CA. I remember going to the factory store & getting fresh cupcakes & twinkies. Nothing compares to a twinkie that was made that same day. Your videos always bring out a strong feeling of nostalgia for me. Especially when you reviewed the "4 fingers of death" 😂

[@Steve1989MRE]

Oh wow that's so cool - thank you for sharing. What a time!

[@ukar69]

“You cannot hurt a Twinkie!” - Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

[@TheHongKongHermit]

Can't believe you turned down the bug Twinkie. Just eat the bit with the smaller bug, and choose the lesser of two weevils.

[@lancerevell5979]

😆👍

[@djoverkin]

or just eat em in the dark, like they used to do with hard tack

[@TheHongKongHermit]

@@djoverkin As the old British navy quote about it went: "what the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve".

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

I could hear Russell Crowe wheeze-laughing in _Master & Commander_ the moment I read this, lol.

[@mccoycyndi]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@sterlingpratt5802]

"Hmm, it actually smells MORE fresh..." That feels like a pretty ominous warning sign.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@Xioxyde_]

Preservatives... it's the preservatives.

[@vit4mint685]

the "lets get this out on a tray" hit different on this one lmao.

[@user-hj5nw4id7l]

It’s like Rembrandt painted a portrait of a rubber duck. Probably brilliant, but so off the wall and surreal it feels like real art.

[@nb6175]

Steve's compassion for the Weevils was truly heart warming.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@plumbherhub1664]

One much choose the lesser of two weevils.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

LOL!

[@psychorabbitt]

TWO MORE STEVE VIDEOS???? Man - God has truly blessed America.

[@diegow7504]

americana miracle better than Festivus Miracle

[@DivineVegan]

Why just America?

[@pizzadmt]

@@DivineVeganit's July 4th, don't be salty

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@diegow7504]

@@Steve1989MRE lov u my dude! i hope see another video your doing all the mre , i still miss the mre homemade video

[@Mario2shot]

I just want to say you are one of the few KZbinrs that I look forward to every video. Keep up the good work, God bless ya.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Thanks so much Mario! nice

[@jasonfitzpatrick2197]

I'm British, and born in 1971. I had to learn about Twinkies through cultural osmosis; the Twinkie scenes in Ghostbusters (1984) and Die Hard (1988) in particular. My sister brought me one back from the States in around '91, and suffice it to say, I was whelmed.

[@Chef_Alpo]

I remember Twinkies having subpar flavor and always burning the back of my throat. Never understood the hype, and I liked nasty junkfood back then.

[@Clownlord-fe4qp]

Twinkie comparisons on the 4th of july has to be one of the most American things ever

[@alanhyt79]

"It's the best thing ever. I love it!" --Tallahassee

[@jayrivers773]

Indeed

[@lancerevell5979]

It's not widely known, but in 1922 when Howard Carter opened King Tut's tomb, he found among all the treasures, the Boy King's stash of ancient Twinkies, still edible after 5,000 years. 😅

[@lwzeis]

They’re edible but highly cursed. The intestinal distess caused by them was known as Tut’s Revenge.

[@Rob8]

Not true.

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

You made me realize that we need to send Steve some 5,000 year old Egyptian - tomb honey to eat. That Civil War hardtack was just the start!

[@MMID303]

​@Rob8 lol you mean 1930 wasn't 5,000 years ago?

[@Rob8]

@MMID303 no it wasn't.

[@giraffe1877]

I am so glad that you are making videos again

[@Setashi]

This is some truly outstanding research.

[@Steve1989MRE]

thanks Setashi!

[@sangkyukim8553]

What a patriotic experience. Nice.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nice.

[@gsxr419]

I agree nice.

[@raditsyz]

I am obsessed with food packaging and advertising that has changed through the ages. The history of it is colorful and beautiful. Please make more videos like this! Love it alongside the MRE content!

[@karelpipa]

Exactly

[@AquaAdventuresTTV]

Man, there's something extremely comforting about coming to my room after a long day of cooking and entertaining guests on the 4th to TWO steve videos to enjoy while I kick back and relax. Love all that you do Steve, hope you had a wonderful 4th.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey right on man I hope you have a great night! Happy 4th to you and yours

[@vuthsim4557]

Welcome back Mr Steve blessing us with multiple uploads again

[@Michael_OBrian]

Hey Steve. On the off chance that you read this, I love your honest, informative, and historical content. I was wondering if you’d be willing to review modern meals like from Mountain House or other emergency/camping foods. I know they’re not true MREs or historical rations, but I think it’d be interesting to compare them to rations you’ve had in the past. Stay safe out there.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey Michael I absolutely want to review some Mountain House meals - they actually just came out with some new menus too. They have a chicken alfredo that isn't on the MCW lineup and only civilian, it sounds pretty good. They have great stuff...!

[@FortunateJuice]

The "Perfectly Preserved Pie" from Fallout 4 still reigns supreme as the ultimate apocalypse food.

[@christopherconard2831]

Other than the guaranteed one, I've never gotten a pie.

[@BaseDeltaZero1972]

Steve would thrive in the Fallout Universe...200 year old "Fancy Lads Snack Cakes" would be a rare delicacy for him...and you know he maxed out "Lead Belly" As an aside, I am personally, I'm sick to the back teeth of clicking on those machines only to be left empty handed - No perfectly preserved pie for me!

[@nickkepley9294]

I used to work for Hostess. They use natamycin to prevent fungal growth on their cakes. Still doesn't work 100% of the time as we'd still get costumer complaints about mold.

[@ShutUpBubi]

so glad to have another upload!! Hope you had an amazing 4th of July!

[@N7mudkip]

Just wanted you to know, quite a few years ago you wrote me a letter expressing thanks for joining your patreon. I still have it and the can opener. Thanks for being…. “Nice!”

[@andry4313]

Steve finally did it. The vintage MRE Twinkies taste video.

[@StacyL.]

The ink was compromised by the oils in the Twinkie.

[@tonymorris3935]

What a great departure from your usual content, while not being all that different! Great job, Steve!!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey right on thanks Tony! nice

[@frowny15]

Let’s goooooo I’m ten beers deep celebrating Britain losing a 13 colony lead and Steve uploads? What a good ending to this day 🤩

[@papichulo284]

Stay safe and Happy 4th brother

[@mikehawkhovers9872]

😂

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@thenadonation2664]

America fuq yeah!!!

[@mikeymaiku]

my man doing the comparisons we needed in life.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice

[@Doritoloco]

love that you're mixing in a new type of video aside from the great mre videos you already do. such a fun watch!

[@Zack29810]

it's so cool to see you upload something random like this.

[@viellegardevielle]

oh you CANNOT believe how much i am into this Steve. we need more dedicated food historians in this platform! a collab with Max Miller soon?👀

[@sharraleigh]

Maybe Max can MAKE the historical food and Steve can eat it!

[@defs8073]

On what scale do you measure how much you're into it?

[@alanhyt79]

Yes! Max can prepare military rations from various military units throughout the known history of the world. Steve can get it out onto a tray (nice) and give us a critique. Etruscan, Egyptian, Sumerian, as a good three video start, with everything else to follow. Vikings, Spartans, Sioux, Aztecs, Zulus, Phoenician sailors, Roman legionnaires, etc. All of the known military culinary histories are fair game. Hundreds of videos. Stellar idea!

[@alanhyt79]

@@defs8073 My guess would be a scale from not into it, all the way to into it beyond belief. It's actually stated in the comment. Read it again and you'll see. Thought you'd be cute, huh? LOL

[@a_funyun]

I love how you just keep pulling out more old boxes of twinkies. Every time I think you've run out, you have more

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@MyDaily808Life]

You are so awesome. Thanks for staying down to earth.

[@dcos5]

The only Twinkie review I'd ever watch. Happy 4th Steve, you're the man.

[@charlessaint7926]

First Steve dares to try the Chinese MREs. Now he's going for the Twinkies! *To boldly go where no Man has gone before!* NICE

[@lancerevell5979]

Nice hiss! 😂

[@12345.......]

When he said "technically edible" I burst out laughing

[@apo18llo]

He did sample Civil War hardtack.

[@galliman123]

And that pre ww1 beef pemmican

[@spyczech]

Why are you acting like Chinese food is sketchier than other obscure countries mre's he's eaten

[@Nostalgicdreamer21]

Dude. You're a mad man. I love it. And thank you!

[@anhjamietran9120]

The double uploads have been so great, thank you! And the format is good for doing non-MRE reviews too :)

[@varaffxiv2219]

'Maybe this was the bite?' 'Wait' >jumpcut 'I took a nap.'

[@theyallsuckasshere1746]

Looking for this...

[@potatonamedtate6727]

Crazy that the sugar content almost doubled in 25 years….

[@anareel4562]

And the fat has switched from beef fat to seed oil

[@GenocideLv]

its by design.

[@seg162]

That's inflation for you-- sugar of yesteryear is worth more than the sugar of today. And you can bet that sugar inflation causes _person_ inflation.

[@arjundureja]

The serving size doubled, not the sugar content

[@MazrimTaim]

​@@arjundurejaThe new ones were 31 grams for 2 twinkies, other ones were 28 for 2. So they went up a gram and a half.

[@DenaKaye13]

OMG 😂 “I took a nap; Anyway, I’m back” I just love Steve. 💯❤️

[@trialmx]

I'm Impressed that the size of the twinkies appear to be the same through the years. Unlike the Hostess Cupcakes which have been whittled down in size over the years.

[@chatboss000]

To be fair they're cakey so they could be just finding ways to make them rise while baking more (so containing more air in the same size

[@leerjet31]

Shout out to Twinkie for keeping it real on the size tho

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice

[@SymphonyZach]

Right as I’m eating a Twinkie this pops up. I never could’ve expected this.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@Deletemyaccount2023]

Me too😂

[@SymphonyZach]

@@Deletemyaccount2023lmao with how many viewers he had I guess it’s bound SOME of us gotta be eating what he is eventually

[@Deletemyaccount2023]

@@SymphonyZach yeah haha but not something I expected today - I dont tend to eat MREs 😀

[@trollingmermaids]

Thank you for continuing to teach us about food history your videos are so unique I just love them

[@2Peckerhead]

Interesting. Glad to see more new content from you Steve. Thank you.

[@mikelarmanis9340]

Are we witnessing the singularity point where Steve gains immortality!? The collision of the preservatives in Steve and the twinkies is the perfect storm, like a tornado meeting a wildfire.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@infowarriorone]

A little diversification of the content, nice!

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@MrYournamehere4202]

I'm so glad these Twinkie specimens ended up in your hands Steve!! It made my day to hear your thoughts on this classic American snack cake

[@gilgameshmcballin]

The fact that steve tried it before it was on a tray is insane

[@cocowolfmi]

My day is being blessed with another new steve video! Nice!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nice! alright cool, see ya

[@cheefmynyon8348]

Glad to see you branching out! Your content is fantastic!

[@Padgriffin]

I love how “branching out” for Steve is “literally anything that isn’t a ration”

[@cameronrd1]

This is the video none of us knew we needed, but we did.

[@blackrainbow5143]

This is a great idea for content, we definitely want more of this kind of videos

[@ThisThatAndTheOtherThing78]

I need at least a gallon of water just looking at the Twinkies box.😂

[@Nanan00]

I ate a twinkie that was 8 years old, it was a bit firm but no change in taste and I didn't get sick. The were in my grandma's pantry shoved in the back, I found them when we were cleaning out her house after she died in the early 200'0's.

[@maxpayne8041]

Steve has really blessed us with releasing many videos in such a short time. Thank you and happy 4th of July! :)

[@Steve1989MRE]

happy 4th man! nice

[@piketfencecartel]

This seems like an April Fools episode more than a 4th of July episode. I am here for it!

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@PrecludeLP]

I love that you did this.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@TeamBlack00]

This is seriously fascinating. What a cool experiment

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@silveradoman298]

This was a fun video. Thanks

[@FanboyFlicks]

I was kinda waiting for Steve to say “...no hiss” as he was cracking those old Twinkies in half

[@GeremyG]

Nice. Can’t say I was expecting this. Happy 4th of July Steve!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Happy 4th to you and yours, Geremy! nice alright cool, see ya

[@ZerofeverOfficial]

This "Let's get this out onto a tray. Nice!" is one of my favorites now, very well done ole chap.

[@talkshowtea1313]

Nice! Glad to see you again!

[@diddydave9813]

I’ve missed you so much man. I love all the new videos

[@aia1229]

That was a lot of fun! Thank you Steve.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@doodskie999]

2 videos in 4 hours and in a day? What did we do to deserve such a blessing?

[@SITHRootz]

Steve, you have made my holiday. This is an absolute masterpiece.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Happy 4th! nice

[@jimmyalbin2445]

You’re a great dude Steve. Thank you for sharing you unique content

[@DanielFrotscher]

Steve, love the video. I am a tour guide at two historic grand hotels in southern Indiana. I mention during the garden portion of the tour that three things will survive a nuclear war. 1. Boxwood hedges, 2. Cockroaches and 3. Hostess Twinkies. Cheers!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey right on Daniel! nice

[@TreeFrogOnATree]

Happy 4th and thank you for the twinkies video :)

[@Steve1989MRE]

Happy 4th! nice

[@bonbonarobonbonarov1333]

Admirations for doing double and tripple post lately ! Great drops !

[@aarontyler69]

Steve, thank you for this. It was very wholesome and nostalgic.

[@corymorrison4488]

Can’t light off any fireworks, too busy binging this weeks steve1989 videos.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@santiagobodhi7075]

Oh a new format! Nice.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nice.

[@lowmax4431]

I love how you take a nap in the middle of filming. That's the kind of relaxed atmosphere I need in the videos i watch. 😂

[@MykePagan]

I was not prepared for this. Impressive!

[@GateGeek]

"It's its own little ozone layer" might be the best Steve line ever.

[@MrJkheath]

"I took a nap" LMFAO Idk why that made me laugh so hard 2:10

[@BigJoe23]

My Great Grandmother who lived to be 96 ate a twinkie every morning with her coffee until she passed. My great aunt who passed at 94, smoked benson and hedges every day since she was 13, she never got cancer.

[@Tex735]

KZbin gold right there!! I was actually kinda thinking about suggesting this! Freaking LOVE it!!!

[@MWCharke]

You sir seem immune to food poisoning. Love the videos.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!