CandyFavorites

I am not a fan of big changes, especially when I’m comfortable with the current state of people, things, and situations. I’m wary when my favorite restaurant hands me a new menu. It even bothered me when Bazooka gum and Cracker Jacks both changed their original packaging. Sure they still taste the same, but why change something that’s been working for ages? Although I am resistant to change, one change in an existing product line both interested and enlightened me, so that even I have to admit this is an improvement of something that was already great.

Let me introduce (Drum roll please) Hershey’s Chocolate Bubble Yum. Yes, that’s right. A higher power combined the fun of gum-chewing and the sweetness of Hershey’s chocolate to produce a whole new take on chocolate candy. This may be old news to some of you, but I only recently discovered this new invention (probably since it’s so hard to find). I admit when I first heard about it, I was extremely skeptical. I wondered how such a combination would taste. I’m a huge fan of Bubble Yum, particularly watermelon and grape, and I enjoy all kinds of chocolates. As much as I love chocolate and fruity bubblegum individually, I couldn’t imagine how my tongue would receive it.

My verdict: it’s still distinctly Bubble Yum but chocolaty sweet. In fact, if you like Tootsie Rolls, this is the treat for you. Once you get over the initial shock of tasting chewy chocolate, it’s quite deliciously bubblicious. What will they think of next?

In light of the Academy Awards last night, I got to thinking about some of the great movies released in the past year. Yes, it’s been a great year for The Departed and DreamGirls, but I was thinking of the smaller films – the “surprise” hits. One such surprise was Thank You for Smoking, starring Aaron Eckhart. As I was reflecting on how the movie so skillfully mocked the tobacco industry’s knack of denial and lack of responsibility, I realized that there was a candy solution to the smoking problem. Why continue to smoke when more and more states are taking steps to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, cancer research is becoming harder to ignore, and you can’t go up a flight of stairs without wheezing? Why not turn to fun and great-tasting alternatives, like chocolate and licorice?

I’m not talking about a bland over-the-counter chocolate bar or Twizzler. I’m suggesting the Cigarette Candy Chocolate and Licorice Pipes. No, I’m not naïve. I know there are components like nicotine that you won’t find in the original Cigarette Candy and Bubblegum Cigars. Let’s give your lungs a break, and turn instead to rejuvenating your tastebuds.
Try one, and we will thank you for smoking.

Last summer, I got roped in to throwing a bachelorette party for one of my good friends, and man, it’s difficult to find fun party favors and games! I drove to a bunch of different places, looking for some racy/fun stuff to give her or do at the party, but the pickings were slim. If only I’d known about all the great stuff that was out there!

Start off by soothing the stressful bride-to-be by giving her some Chai Latte, Tai Tea or Milk Chocolate Body Wash. It’ll help her chill out in the crazy pre-wedding days. If I were a bachelorette, I’d love to receive a full-size chocolate champagne bottle. There’s always enough booze at a wedding; there should always be more chocolate!
I’ve always been a huge fan of candy jewelry, so I was delighted to find a risque line of candy “clothing” completely appropriate to give at a bachelorette party. It would be fun to have each guests buy and give one item: there are candy bras, candy g-strings, candy garters, candy suspenders, and even a candy “posing pouch,” so your friends’ fiancee can get in on the fun. If hard candy’s not your taste, there’s also the option of outfitting your friend with some gummie panties and bras. Even if that’s not your scene, pick up some gummi handcuffs for the adventurous couple in your life. And with gummi handcuffs, you don’t even need a safe word! If you don’t like what’s going on, just gnaw on through to freedom.

Finally, there’s candy designed for the party as a whole. Grab some risque Candy Hearts, but try not to blush if they’re a little more, say, adventurous than the candy hearts you’re used to. There are also some cinnamon Hot Lips to share with your friends.

When you add your girlfriends, lots of chocolate and a bit of raciness, well, there’s no better recipe for a night out than that.

Guess who’s back?
Back again.
Cadbury Crème Eggs Are Back.
Tell your friends!

What’s better than milk chocolate bars? Fun shaped milk chocolates! Not only are they egg-shaped, the crème filling is also colored in white and yellow to imitate the likeness of the egg yolk. An even more interesting thing about Cadbury Crème Eggs is that according to the manufacturer, Cadbury Schweppes, they’re made all year round but only sold from New Year’s Day to Easter. For those of you who don’t know, last Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) officially signaled the countdown to the Easter Holiday. Now that Lent has officially begun, it’s less than 40 days until Easter Sunday.

Cadbury Crème Eggs were as much a part of my childhood Easter preparations as egg dying. As I dipped an egg into the red or green egg dye, and stuck stickers for decoration, a Cadbury Crème Egg and a Marshmallow Peep would be within arm’s reach. I only associate good times with the fun eggs.

Since the next time you’ll be able to buy these yummy treats after April 8, 2007 is January 1, 2008, I suggest you stock up. If you’re as big of a fan of these tasty chocolate eggs as I am, I suggest you prepare a healthy stash and enjoy them year round with your family, friends, or just yourself.

Those of you who know of Nestle’s popular 100 Grand chocolate bars may be wary of the title of this very post. And I guess I don’t blame you. In the Summer of 2005, a radio DJ in Lexington, Kentucky hosted a contest for the tenth caller to win “100 Grand.” This WLTO-FM (Hot 92) DJ told the winner to wait at Central Bank the next day where she would receive her “100 Grand.” What did he really give her, you ask? The yummy 100 Grand chocolate bars! Though he was careful not to mention dollars in any of his phrasing, he was still promptly sued for his intention to “cheat, defraud, and play a malicious job upon the plaintiff.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I first heard about this lawsuit I couldn’t believe it. Yes, it was a malicious joke, but I can’t help but think that this lawsuit stemmed from disappointment above anything else. To get a chocolate bar instead of $100,000 can be disappointing to some people, but I just want to point out that I’m sure the DJ listeners got a kick out of listening to the joke afterwards and his job is to entertain them. Above all else, the winner didn’t lose anything and she did walk out of the bank with something more than she walked in with. I believe the lawsuit will not stick, but I haven’t found any followup articles to tell me so or otherwise.

100 Grand is simply delicious, and though others may take advantage of the name itself, I say we should all enjoy it for its rich combination of chocolate, caramel, and crisped rice taste. And instead of being greedy like our plaintiff, share the delicious wealth with someone else. You get two yummy bars for the price of one. Go on! Enjoy your 100 Grand and be that much richer in satisfaction.

Never have I associated so much pop trivia with a candy bar! Mars Bar is not only known for its scrumptious caramel, nougat, and almond all doused in milk chocolate, but it is also dipped in some delicious myths, legends, and controversy.

1960s: One popular myth that never died throughout the decades tells us that while raiding one particular Rolling Stones party the police found the legendary Mick Jagger eating a Mars Bars strategically between the legs of Marianne Faithfull. Of course, she denies it to this day. Even if it wasn’t true, that is certainly one way I’ve never considered eating a Mars Bar.

December 2003: Friends or foe, the Mars Bar appeals to all. Our United States military captured Saddam Hussein with a stash of Mars Bars within arms reach during Operation Red Dawn.

July 2005: The parent company of Mars Bars recalled their shipment in Australia due to an extortion attempt against Sydney’s Star City Casino. The extortionist claimed to have poisoned several Mars bars at random, so the company recalled the product in New South Wales. This just goes to show that such a sinfully delicious chocolate bar has its negative aspects too.

And the list goes on. It’s a shame that this delectable gem is no longer sold. However, the parent company does sell a line of Snickers that acts as the official replacement of the Mars Bar. So the next time you take a break from these dreary winter days and take a bite out of the Snickers Almond Mars Bar, just think – you’re a part of chocolate history.

While surfing through the McKeesport Candy Co. website I found this amazing pack of candy, all of which comes straight and direct from the hazy days of my childhood. The late 80s and early 90s were, for this twenty-something, the pinnacle of sugary achievement. This pack includes it all, but I’m going to focus on a few particular items which deserve attention all on their own.

1. Candy Jewelry

Is there a single girl out there who didn’t love wearing candy jewelry? Heck, I’ll still wear a candy necklace from time to time with a T-shirt, just as a fun accessory. Candy jewelry loves to taunt you: it just hangs there on your neck or wrist, the delectable sugary goodness teasing you. IYou know if you eat it, the cuteness of the candy necklace will be gone, but how can you not? The answer is simple: buy two, eat one, and save one to wear. Or just eat them both. That’s what I would do.

2. Fun Dip

Oh, Lik-M-Aid. Fun Dip took the candy concept (sugar + flavors) and simplified it to its most basic parts. You have your packets of flavored, colored sugar substance, and you have the Lik-M-Stick, which seems to be basically a compacted stick of sugar. Lick the stick, dip it in the sugar, and pow! Plus, it’s like getting four kinds of candy in one: you get the three flavors of powder (including one that looks blue but turns itself and your mouth green when you eat it) PLUS the added satisfaction of devouring the sugar sticks when you’re done. However, I have one caution that comes from learned experience: don’t attempt the Fun Dip on crowded car trips. Between the bumps and jostles, powdery disaster could result. I’m not going to give the Pixie Stix much verbage, since they’re basically the same thing as Fun Dip, without the sugar stick, but Pixie Sticks are fabulous. I would always get the really huge, couple-foot-long Pixie Stix and just pour that powered sugar down my throat. Mmmmmm.

3. Sugar Daddies and Babies

When I got my braces in middle school, I pretty much disregarded all the restrictions they gave me about eating food. I chowed down on popcorn and gum and ice, but I quickly discovered that some of my favorite candies were now off-limits. The first time I attempted to down some Sugar Babies, well, disaster struck. It took me almost a day to untangle my metal molars from the sticky stuff, but man, it was almost worth it. Such caramel-ly goodness! I do have to object to the blatant patriarchal domination of this candy: where’s the Sugar Mama?!? We demand candy equality!

4. Pop Rocks and Sweet Tarts

There’s not a whole lot to say about these two candies besides that they’re fabulous. Penny for penny, pop rocks are some of the best fun you can have. I mean really, where else can you get a few minutes of mouth-popping excitement for under a buck? That’s what I thought. And Sweet Tarts, well, their name says it all. They have been a Halloween staple my entire life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There are a few of these retro candy packs available, and they all have a far bigger selection than I’ve talked about here. After writing this, all I have to say that I really wish I were 10 and tonight was Halloween.

~Janet

For those of you who like licorice, there’s a great brand called Licorice Allsorts. Not only does it boast the same great taste you licorice-lovers come to expect and crave, its unique appearance adds to the fun of eating. One bag contains licorice shaped in pink, orange, blue and white cubes and sprinkled spheres. 

My very first experience with licorice was a bad one. I tried a string of black licorice when I was in kindergarten and it seemed as if I would never be able to wash that strong taste out of my mouth. That day, my teacher had to coax me with a cherry Blow-pop to calm me down. Ever since then, I have been extremely wary of any type of licorice. When I bravely decided to try Licorice Allsorts, I was pleasantly surprised by not only its welcoming designs and easy-to-eat shapes, but also by the taste. They didn’t taste at all like the black licorice string I first tasted so many years ago. 

Licorice dates as far back in history as 5000 years ever since the Chinese first thought that eating licorice root was healthy. It was even found among King Tut’s treasures! Even he was a fan of the chewy confection and found it important enough to be buried with them by his side. I am now a licorice fan. It’s fun to eat and also a great social treat for its fun colors. 

Valentine’s Day has become a commercial phenomenon. Since 1381, when Geoffrey Chaucer first recorded February 14 to be a day of recognition, this day of love has been celebrated around the globe. Its relatively unknown counterpart is Singles Awareness Day (SAD), also known as Black Day. It is a day for singles to celebrate, or un-celebrate, their independence. Just like the Emo psyche is misunderstood and overshadowed by the teen pop idols, Valentine’s Day has outshone Black Day, which is why I am taking if upon myself to list a few gift ideas for the celebrators of this day.

Black licorice – It’s not my favorite chewy candy, but what better way is there to lash out against all the red and pink surroundings?

Dark chocolate – A decadent and delicious alternative to the more common Valentine’s Day options like strawberry truffles and white chocolate.

Black M&M’s – Yes, this popular confection comes in black! What a great way to customize an everyday candy to something different and fun.

Blackberry Jelly Beans – This flavor of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans is atypical, fun, and delicious. Give a box to another single friend, or yourself!

February 14 is no longer for couples only. Happy SAD!

Ever crave a bite (or three!) of chocolate but feel like you really shouldn’t? Read on for numerous scientific reasons you should indulge those cravings daily.

1. A small study suggests that eating dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure — for once, something that tastes good is also good for you! It doesn’t happen often, so I suggest you take advantage of it. German researchers said in the Journal of the American Medical Association that the short study would need to be confirmed in larger, more long-term ones before doctors could recommend the “chocolate treatment.”

Thirteen adults with untreated mild hypertension got to eat 3-ounce chocolate bars every day for two weeks. Half of the patients got white chocolate, while the other half got dark chocolate. Blood pressure remained pretty much unchanged in the group that ate white chocolate, but after two weeks, systolic blood pressure had dropped an average of five points in the dark-chocolate group. Diastolic blood pressure reading fell an average of almost two points.

2. Why do people get addicted to chocolate? Why is it that when you’re having a bad day your mind turns towards that creamy, chocolatety goodness? In part, it’s due to the interesting chemical makeup of everybody’s favorite candy. Theobromine, one of the most active chemicals in chocolate, is similar to caffeine and can lift your spirits. Other chemicals in chocolate include anandamide and phenylethylamine, or PEA, which has also been called the “love chemical” because of its effects on the brain’s neurochemistry. High levels of this neurotransmitter can help promote feelings of attraction, excitement, giddiness and apprehension by stimulating the brain’s pleasure center.

Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals and it is not known how all of these affect humans. Many woman crave chocolate during their pre-menstrual period, probably because chocolate contains magnesium, a lack of which can exacerbate premenstrual tension. Similar cravings during pregnancy could indicate mild anemia, which can be helped by the iron in chocolate.

The brain uses the chemical Tryptophan, also found in chocolate, to make serotonin. High levels of serotonin can produce feelings of elation, even ecstasy (the drug ecstacy works the same way to raise serotonin levels).
3. Recent research at New York University suggests there is a genetic reason why some people crave sugary foods. The study was based on two strains of mice, selectively bred according to whether the parents preferred sweetened or unsweetened water. The team located the gene that was different in the two groups of mice and then searched for similar genetic sequences in humans.

4. Californian scientist Professor Carl Keen and his team have suggested that chocolate might help fight heart disease. They say that it contains chemicals called flavinoids, which thin the blood, helping to prevent clotting. Scientists have already suggested that red wine acts in this way.
5. Researchers at Harvard University have carried out experiments that suggest that if you eat chocolate three times a month you will live almost a year longer than those who deny themselves these simple pleasures. However, don’t start pigging out yet– the Harvard research also suggested that people who eat too much chocolate can have a lower life expectancy. Chocolate’s high fat content means that excess indulgence can contribute to obesity, which leads to an increased risk of heart disease.

So, just like your Mama told you, everything in moderation. However, if you do need to scarf some down, at least confine yourself to dark chocolate. It’s higher in cocoa than milk chocolate and helps to increase levels of HDL, a type of cholesterol that helps prevent fat clogging up arteries. In addition, recent research at UC Davis found that chocolate carries high levels of chemicals known as phenolics, some of which may help lower the risk of heart disease.

So what are you waiting for?!?

~Janet