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Warheads: For Extreme Candy Eaters Only

December 14, 2009 by
Warheads Super Sour Candy are for extreme candy lovers only!

Warheads Super Sour Candy are for extreme candy lovers only!

Sharability: 10

Extreme Danger: 9

Convenience: 10

Novelty: 7

Overall: 9

Warheads were definitely one of my favorite childhood candies and I’m sure I’m not the only one. When the little unsuspecting warhead first hits your tongue you think to yourself, “eh, this isn’t so bad.” Then as you rub you tongue against the thin sour layer of malic acid your face beings to turn to a similar expression Wally Warhead’s on the front package. Of all of the candies that are labeled “sour” warheads are the only candies I can think of that really live up to that title and pack a real sour punch. In fact, they aren’t only sour, they are an “extreme” sour candy. 

 After 30 seconds (plus or minus) the sour coating wears off leaving your tongue feeling tingly and letting the sweet flavor of either blue raspberry, apple, black cherry, watermelon, or lemon sooth your taste buds before you bite it in half to taste the more-sweet-than-sour malic acid that lies in the center of the warhead.

I remember going to sleep away camp and having a secret stash of warheads (we weren’t allowed to have candy) in which my friends and I would have warhead competitions. We would all plop the warhead in out mouths at the same time and whoever made a sour expression first, lost. We made sure that we all had the same flavor because we were all convinced that black cherry was the most sour, then lemon, and so on. I think it was more of us telling ourselves what was the most sour than there actually being a significant distinction. 

Warheads were invented in 1975 in Taiwan and were first imported into the United States by The Foreign candy Company in 1993. Impact Confections now manufactures this super sour candy that was referred to as a “$40 million brand” in 1999.

The candy’s name comes from the idea that there is an actual warhead going off in your mouth. A real warhead is the front part of a missile or rocket that holds the explosive charge. The candy isn’t quite that intense, but eating one with a straight face definitely proves difficult. The warhead candy is strong enough that the package has a “WARNING: Eating multiple pieces within a short time period may cause a temporary irritation to sensitive tongues and mouths.” So eat at your own risk, but I’m telling you that it is worth it.

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Wintergreen Lozenges May Not Sooth Your Throat, But They Do Sooth Your Soul

December 11, 2009 by
Necco Wintergreen Lozenges are refreshing and fun to eat

Necco Wintergreen Lozenges are refreshing and fun to eat

Sharability: 10

Denture Danger: 2

Convenience: 10

Novelty: 9

Overall: 8

Don’t be mislead by the name, these wintergreen  lozenges won’t rid you of your sore throat or stop your cough, but they will tingle your taste buds. From the looks of it, this little plain calky pink cylinder doesn’t seem like it would possess the punch that it does. The wintergreen flavor comes on slow as its mild taste becomes a refreshing mintyness as you chew it up. When you swallow down those last pieces don’t hesitate to indulge again and again, this candy is not only fat free but each one only has 3 grams of sugar, so you minty munching weight watchers ought to love this one!

This is one candy that won’t go bad if you forget to seal the bag. It is a good candy to leave in bowls around your house or put in your pocket for later. But if you do put one in your pocket, make sure you put two there because you wouldn’t want to torture yourself with such a tease.

Bulk Candy Reviews, Candy History, Candy Reviews, chocolate

Baby Food or Chocolate Coated, Malted Milk Balls Are Delicious

December 7, 2009 by
Chocolate Malted Milk Balls are one of our favorite candies and we offer Brachs Malts as well as Whoppers to name but a few brands that we represent

Chocolate Malted Milk Balls are one of our favorite candies and we offer Brachs Malts as well as Whoppers to name but a few brands that we represent

Sharability: 8

Denture Danger: 4

Convenience: 3

Novelty: 6

Overall: 8

Obviously, (almost) anything covered in chocolate is a taste treat. Even though the malted milk ends up stuck in your teeth it is worth the crunch that it adds to the soft melty milk chocolate. These little generic malt balls are tasty, but they don’t come close to the satisfaction you find when you bite into a real gourmet malt ball also known as Brachs Malts.  But not to say these malt balls aren’t delicious, they way they melt in you mouth or crunch between your teeth is quite unique. 

Malted milk is a powdered food that is made of malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk, all mixed together in one crunchy, airy snack.
The idea for malted milk was originated by a pharmacist named James Horlick who was trying to develop a wheat and malt based nutritional supplement for infants.

In 1873, James and his brother William formed their own baby food company. Soon after, they patented their formula for of dried milk, trademarking the name “malted milk” and marketing their product as “Diastoid.”

Though the intentions were to make a healthy supplement for infants, malted milk became popular in may other respects. The fact that it was lightweight, non-perishable, and packed a lot of calories made it a perfect snack for exploring travelers worldwide. 

 It was also a popular drink that was commonly found at soda fountains and a delectable addition to ice cream. Now you can find malted milk within the shell of chocolate in almost any candy store.

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Phish and Starburst FaveREDs, like Fish and Chips

November 24, 2009 by
Starburst Fruit Chews

Starburst Fruit Chews

Sharability: 9

Denture Danger: 8

Convenience: 9

Novelty: 6

Overall: 9

Starbursts, as the name implies, are truly bursting with flavor. During candy’s favorite holiday (Halloween) I was in Indio, California at Phish Festival 8. For those of you that don’t know, this was three days of camping out and three days of listening to the band Phish. During the Halloween night set I made sure to fill my pockets with candy because there’s never a time when candy tastes better than on Halloween AND during a Phish show.

During the set break I was lying down and I heard the people sitting next to me talking about how they were craving some candy. I had just eaten a small bag of skittles so I decided to offer them my fun size pack of Starbursts, which included a pink wrapped strawberry flavor and a red wrapped cherry.

Not only were they thankful for the offer, but I have never seen anyone enjoy a Starburst as much as these two did. They raved about how great the flavor was “Oh wow, this is better than they usually are!” the guy said. “Yeah, I just want to try and keep the flavor going for as long as I possibly can,” said his girlfriend.

They then expressed their disappointments when they had swallowed the remaining pieces of their Starburst. It made me feel great that I was able to bring such simple happiness to these people, but I can’t take the credit. The credit goes to the great taste of the candy. The chewy, sweet, juicy, and flavor filled Starbursts are a candy to be reckoned with.

Starbursts were first produced in the UK in 1960 as Opal Fruits with the flavors strawberry, orange, lemon, and lime. In 1976 production moved into the United States and were renamed to Starburst, in 1998, the Starburst name became global. The Mars company has recently merged with the Wrigley Company and this merged company is who produces the Starburst.

The Starburst FaveREDs include watermelon, cherry, fruit punch, and strawberry flavors. This is a great compilation of some of the best Starburst flavors. I remember when I was younger my friends and I would put the whole starburst in our mouth, wrapper and all, and try and unwrap the candy with our teeth and tongue. I accomplished the feat a few times but I usually ended up unwrapping the slobbery mess with my hands.

Even if it isn’t Halloween, and even if you aren’t at a Phish show, the Starburst candy is sharable, portable, and delectable, so enjoy!
Sources:

  • http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/starburst.aspx
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starburst_(confectionery)
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Taste the Fresh and See the Glow With Wint-O-Green Lifesavers

November 18, 2009 by
Life Savers Wint-0-Green

Life Savers Wint-0-Green

Sharability: 10

Denture Danger: 9 (if you aren’t just using it as a breath mint)

Convenience: 10

Novelty: 6

Overall: 9

Wint-O-Green Lifesavers are more than just a sweet wintergreen taste-bud-tingler, and they are more than just a breath mint, this candy is a science lesson.

If you take these lifesavers into a pitch-black room (a bathroom usually works the best) you can watch science in action. I find it works best with a friend because then you can share the feeling of amazement, but it also works if you are by yourself and look in the mirror.

In the darkened room chew the lifesaver with your mouth open and if you get the right crunch your friend will see sparks of blue light making your mouth glow.

The reason you see these sparks is because of an effect called triboluminescence. Triboluminescence is emission of light as a result of something being crushed or torn, in this case, crystalline sugars. When the candy is crushed electrons are released and these electrons collide with nitrogen molecules in the air, which causes a vibration that results in an ultraviolet spark.

The ultraviolet light that is produced is mostly non-visible, but a small amount is visible which is why sometimes other sugar candies create faint sparks when you bite into them.

The Wint-O-Green lifesaver creates a bright flash because the flavoring, methyl salicylate (a.k.a. wintergreen oil), is florescent. We don’t have to go into wavelengths and all that, but basically the wintergreen oil absorbs the ultraviolet (invisible) light and takes it over, emitting sparks of visible blue light. Crazy, isn’t it? So, before you plop one of these minty sweet lifesavers into your mouth just for the mere taste, share one with a friend, turn off the lights, and show them the magic of science.

Bulk Candy Reviews, Candy Reviews, Nostalgic Candy Favorites

Ferrara Pan’s Jaw Busters, the Original Jaw Breakers, Eat at Your Own Risk

November 6, 2009 by
A vintage box of Ferrara Pan Jawbreakers - the candy is now known as a Jawbuster!

A vintage box of Ferrara Pan Jawbreakers - the candy is now known as a Jawbuster!

Sharability: 10

Denture Danger: 10 (if you try and chew it)

Convenience: 8

Novelty: 8

Overall: 4

It puzzles me to think how a candy marketed as “Jaw Breakers” is and has been so successful. It seems like it would have gone out of business with the cigarette company called “death” and Chevy Nova car in Latin America, which translates to “it doesn’t go.” I think the brand name almost comes off as a challenge to kids. The kids who have managed to have bite into a Jawbuster without breaking their teeth in the process have something to brag about (though I’m sure kids would love brag about how they broke their tooth trying to bite into a jawbreaker, “It didn’t break my jaw like it was supposed to!”).

I am reluctant to call this candy by its name, Jaw Busters because growing up they were always called Jaw Breakers. I think the Jaw Breakers began to go a bit unnoticed (which isn’t surprising considering the danger implied by trying to bite into one) so Ferrara Pan changed the name to “Jaw Busters, the original Jaw Breakers.” They call it the original Jaw Breakers because jawbreakers used to be a generic term thrown around by candy companies as any hard candy and Ferrara Pan took that name and created a product.

Jaw Busters are created with the same rotating pan process as lemon heads and atomic fireballs, but the Jaw Buster process is a little more intense. The process of adding more sugar to the pan is repeated over 100 times in a 14 to 19 day period, which is why this candy isn’t so easy bite into. Don’t try and prove yourself worthy for any reason by attempting to bite into one of these candies because even if you don’t break your jaw, you could hurt your jaw or break a tooth and I don’t think biting into any candy is worth that sacrifice (which is why I don’t know how this candy is still in the market). So, eat at your own risk.

Bulk Candy Reviews, Candy History, Candy Reviews, Nostalgic Candy Favorites

Go Bananas for Circus Marshmallow Peanuts

November 4, 2009 by
Marshmallow Peanuts are one of the oldest candies and few people know that the flavor is banana!

Marshmallow Peanuts are one of the oldest candies and few people know that the flavor is banana!

Sharability: 10

Denture Danger: 2

Convenience: 6

Novelty: 9

Overall: 5

Also known as a circus peanut, this orange peanut shaped marshmallow became one of the first penny candies after it was introduced in the mid 1800s.

To be honest, I never understood why everyone liked these things so much. Yes they have a good texture, and yes they are a classic, but what I don’t understand is why the peanut shaped marshmallow taste like artificial banana. It just doesn’t make sense.

 If you are a fan of marshmallows that taste like bananas, then this candy might be your calling. Unless you are trying to relive memories from the past, this almost sickeningly sweet confectionary won’t leave you very satisfied.

In 1963 man named John Holahan discovered that the shavings of the circus peanut are a delicious addition to breakfast cereal. Mr. Holahan was coincidentally the vice president of General Mills and these marshmallow shavings were the influence to creating the first cereal with marshmallow bits (marbits) and one of everyone’s favorite cereals, Lucky Charms.

For some reason the Lucky Charms marshmallows were created without that banana flavoring. If only the Lucky Charms’ marshmallows were enlarged to the size of the circus peanut… now that would be profitable product.

(You can get them individually wrapped too!)

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Portable, Peanut-Buttery Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures

October 28, 2009 by
Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups

Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups

Sharability: 7

Convenience: 7

Denture Danger: 4

Novelty: 5

Overall: 9

When we have a full sized Reese’s Cup I know a lot of us eat it by poking the middle out first and eating the peanut-buttery goodness first and the crunchy chocolate ring second. This miniature peanut butter cup combines those two pieces of deliciousness into one crunchy chocolatey uber peanut-buttery bite.

The miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups come in a cute little cupcake-like wrapping. Plop a dollop of whipped cream on top and you’ve got your own little cupcake. The miniature is taller than the original, which allows more peanut butter flavor to fill the inside.

For some of you this could be a huge turn off, “Eww more peanut butter, I want more chocolate!” but for others I know that a little more peanut butter flavor in your Reese’s cup is exactly what you crave. So in case you don’t want to get the sickly feeling you usually do after a pack of normal sized Reese’s cups, grab a couple miniatures and enjoy the chocolate-peanut-butter flavor combination!

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Reese’s Pieces, For You, For Me, and For E.T.

October 9, 2009 by
Reese's Pieces were one of the first examples of modern product placement when they were featured in ET - The Extraterrestrial!

Reese's Pieces were one of the first examples of modern product placement when they were featured in ET - The Extraterrestrial!

Sharability: 5

Denture Danger: 4

Convenience: 5

Novelty: 8

I would take a Reese’s Pieces over an M&M any day, the way the peanut-flavored penuche filling melts in my mouth is just unbeatable and I’m not the only one who thinks so.

The extra terrestrial, E.T. (from the movie that you all should have watched at least once by now) has a favorite candy, and that my friends is Reese’s pieces. The funny thing is that Mars actually declined Steven Spielberg’s offer to use M&M’s in the movie and instead Hershey’s got the lucky break.

After E.T. was released in 1982, Reese’s Pieces sales increased by 65%. Universal Studios did not allow Hershey’s to see the script, which was a risk that paid off in the end.

The original plan for these candies was to fill the shells with peanut butter, but this failed because the oil leaked into the shell taking away the defining crunch and replacing it with a soft shell. The development was put in the hands of a team of scientists to determine what to put in the shell and what thickness to make the shell.

The result was a peanut-flavored penuche filling. Penuche is made with butter, brown sugar, and milk and is similar to fudge. In 1978 the orange, yellow, and brown, Reese’s Pieces hit the shelves of candy stores ready to stand as a strong competition to Mars’ M&Ms.

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Peanut Butter Logs can turn you into a candy hog!

October 7, 2009 by
Coconut Crunch Peanut Butter Logs from NECCO are an addictive treat!

Coconut Crunch Peanut Butter Logs from NECCO are an addictive treat!

Sharability: 8

Denture Danger: 6

Convenience: 5

Novelty: 8

Overall: 9

Every little bit of the peanut butter log is delicious not matter how you eat it.  The crunchy-peanut-buttery-baklava-looking inside is coated with a coconut sprinkled peanut butter. The coconut and peanut butter flavors balance each other out, but for those of you who don’t like coconut, realize that it is called a peanut butter log, not a coconut log.

The peanut butter is definitely the base flavor and the coconut is merely the topping… not to undermine the coconut though, as it does add a delicious twist to the candy.

If you suck on this coconut topped crunchy yet chewy peanut butter log, it will melt slowly in your mouth so that you can savor it slowly. If you chew them up you will get it stuck in your teeth, which isn’t so bad because then your teeth act as flavor savers for a snack a little later.

When you pick the remnants out of your teeth it brings back the memory of how delicious the crunchy candy was whenever you ate it. The New England Confectionary Company (NECCO) definitely hit the jackpot in the creation of this deliciously addicting candy.