What's new?
People always ask me what my favorite candy is. It makes sense, having tried hundreds of different treats from all over the world and written about them I can understand why that's the most common question. The thing that isn't common is my answer.
Sure I've got a top ten list on Candy Critic number one being Kit Kat, but is that really my favorite treat? No, what I crave is something different, something I've never tried before, it doesn't even have to taste that great, I just need a change. That's kind of how Candy Critic started; it was a search for interesting candy and a look at it. To be honest the only reason I even review the common treats is to either appease e-mailers or to give people a reference to basis my tastes off of.
So this is my problem, candy companies are just not that creative. The
amount of money that this industry invests and makes is astounding, in the billions of dollars. Yet for no particular reason all they can give us is the same chocolate bar with an orange flavor. Why can't we see a little more creativity out of the major candy companies?
The last "new" bar to surface out of the candy world was the Max 5, sure it wasn't bad and it was a little different but it really wasn't that revolutionary. Basically they took a bunch of ingredients that work in a common chocolate bar and put them all together. I give credit where it's due and I'll say it's a step in the right direction but with so much money invested in this industry I would expect much more.
So there you are, craving something that you haven't eaten a thousand times
before, what do I suggest? Well look to other nations for that unique taste
experience. Also look at smaller candy companies, the mom and pop manufactures you'd be amazed what's made in your own backyard that you haven't tried. And what's my word to all those big companies making the same treat over and over again? Invest in the little guys now and again, and if you're going to pay someone millions to come up with a new treat it better not be the same old treat covered in white chocolate or with "new" orange flavor.
Chris Stewart
Candy Critic
www.candycritic.org
