Tag: Candy

REVIEW: Starburst Airs Gummies

Vin 13 Comments

Starburst Airs Gummies Bag

What are Starburst Airs Gummies?

Here it is, folks, the collaboration between Starburst and Nike that we’ve all been waiting for!

Nah, it’s actually just a new weird spin on Starburst flavored gummies.

How are they?

I guess I should just jump right into it – I think I hated these.

“Hate” is a strong word I try to avoid using, but these things stink.

The entire “air” concept sold me on the spot. I anticipated a unique texture that landed somewhere between those gourmet confectionary marshmallows and gummy bears. I got that, but they were few and far between.

They LOOK pillowy soft, but most of them had the bite of an expired peach ring. Not sure if this makes sense, but the texture was begging for a crystallized sugar coating. That’s the only way that texture succeeds for me.

Starburst Airs Gummies Squishy

For every piece I thought delivered on the name, there were five that were a chore to chew. Some were like Gummy Savers, and some had a dryness to them like the chewy Sea Turtles from Trader Joe’s, which aren’t great, but at least correctly have sugar. It’s like they couldn’t decide which texture to go with, so they just ran the gummy gamut.

The “best” pieces were similar to Haribo Watermelons, which are infinitely better.

Anything else you need to know?

It wasn’t just the texture that threw me off.

The gummies smell exactly like Starburst, but something about the over-chewing reduced the flavor by about 30-40 percent. These just don’t have the Starburst pop I’ve grown to love.

Starburst Airs Gummies Flavors

I know it’s blasphemous to most, but I think Cherry is the worst main Starburst flavor by far, and it was awful here. Strawberry never fails, and I happen to really like the two citrus flavors. Lemon was probably the best, and it seemed to be the softest overall. No idea why, but finally, some justice for Lemon.

Even the pieces I kinda liked that leaned closer to marshmallow were still weak in flavor and left a film on my teeth.

Conclusion:

Starburst Airs Gummies Poured out

I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t put a snack down simply because I wanted to like it. I was trying to will it, but they just never got there.

Starburst has tried many different texture varieties (these, regular gummies, jelly beans, those straw things, etc.) and has never matched the originals. With that said, I think Airs are easily the worst Starburst candy product to date. Don’t even bother.

Purchased Price: $2.18
Size: 4.3 oz
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 3 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (6 pieces) 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 55 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of total carbohydrates, 20 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Frankford Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar

Marvo 1 Comment

Frankford Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar Wrapper

What is the Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar?

It’s a candy bar that features Fruity Pebbles cereal pieces in a classic vanilla birthday cake and frosting-flavored white confection. It celebrates the 50th birthday of Pebbles cereal and maybe the 50,000,000th birthday of some actual pebbles.

The candy bar is available in a single 2.75-ounce size and an 18-count multi-pack at Walmart stores nationwide and online at FrankfordCandy.com.

How is it?

Frankford Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar Front

As you can see in the photo above, it looks almost EXACTLY like the regular Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar that’s been available for a while. They look so alike that maybe I put the original Fruity Pebbles bar in the Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake wrapper and vice versa in the photos above and below. Or maybe not? You’ll never know, and I’ll take that secret with me to my grave.

Frankford Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar Back

While they look similar, they definitely don’t taste the same. Well, more specifically, the white cremes that both have don’t taste alike. At first, I thought the very sweet white base dominated the bar’s flavor, with the cereal taking a distant third-row backseat. It was like a cake with TOO MUCH frosting. But then, after eating a few more pieces, the sweetness mellowed out a bit, and I could taste a better balance between the cereal and white confection. Although the creamy base noticeably stands out more.

This bar tastes different from the original Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar, but it’s not as toothsome as the original. It’s an okay treat, but I wish the cereal was a bit more prominent because, after all, we are celebrating it.

Anything else you need to know?

It’s hard to believe Pebbles cereal is 50 years old. It makes me feel old, like having the rookie cards of baseball players who are now major league managers.

Frankford Fruity Pebbles Birthday Cake Candy Bar Fossil

Also, the cereal fossilized in the white creme still has some crispiness.

Conclusion:

The original Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar is delightful, especially if you’re a fan of the cereal. And if you’re that into Fruity Pebbles, you might find this birthday cake version to be a little disappointing.

DISCLOSURE: I received free product samples. (Thanks, Frankford!) Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 2.75 oz bar
Purchased at: Received from Frankford Candy
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 bar) 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 17 grams of sugar (including 15 grams added sugar), and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Salted Caramel Twix

Julie 12 Comments

Salted Caramel Twix Wrapper

When whispers of a new Twix flavor circulated on social media a few weeks ago, junk food fans reveled in the anticipation. Would this new flavor be a crowd-pleasing birthday cake, a seasonal pumpkin spice, or something completely unexpected, like purple ube with a mango twist? (Let the record show that was my idea first, Twix!) Would the long sought-after Sugar Cookie Twix finally hit shelves? Would we chocolate fiends soon be granted a Middle Twix?

Enter Salted Caramel Twix for the big reveal. Sea salt joins the beloved combination of caramel, shortbread, and milk chocolate in this new bar, packaged in a shiny teal wrapper.

With this news, the part of me that loves odd and novel flavors experienced the emotional equivalent of a sad trumpet sound effect, but the part of me that remains slightly obsessed with salted caramel was thrilled. I would rather enjoy a familiar flavor executed perfectly than novelty for novelty’s sake.

Salted Caramel Twix Coating

Although Salted Caramel Twix is also available in King Size, I opted for the standard size. The petite twin sticks look like the original Twix — although a little smaller — inside and out. I was expecting a visual hint of salt, either embedded in the caramel or sprinkled on top of the chocolate coating, but there was nary a grain in sight. Note that if you are vehemently anti-salted caramel, someone could use this Twix to play a trick on you.

With each bite of the Salted Caramel Twix, I experienced the same trajectory of flavor. For the first several chews, the bar tastes largely like an original Twix: creamy milk chocolate, sweet chewy caramel, and crunchy cookie. Then, a punchy salt flavor comes through and lasts for three or four seconds before the taste mellows back into original territory. The saltiness isn’t intense enough to produce a strong mingling of sweet and salty, but it was intense enough to make me incredibly thirsty after eating one stick.

Salted Caramel Twix Split

Tasting one element at a time, I believe the salt is baked into the shortbread cookie, not the caramel. The separation of salt from caramel might contribute to the fleeting saltiness of the bar as a whole. When located in the least sweet element, the salt needs some help being introduced to the sweet.

The thought of salt being separated from caramel until reunited by someone’s mandibles is somewhat tragic. If the salt is not inside the caramel, is it truly salted caramel? Begin the philosophical discussion in the comments below.

Rating the Salted Caramel Twix is tough, because we all know that caramel, shortbread, and chocolate combine to make magic. Yet, the bar’s muted salty/sweet contrast underwhelms. It neither capitalizes on the power of a simple flavor nor deviates strongly enough from the original Twix to feel exciting. Salted caramel fans may enjoy this twist on the original, but it won’t make them forget about the countless other like-flavored products available to satisfy their sweet (and salty) tooth.

Purchased Price: 88 cents
Size: 1.41 oz bar (40 g)
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 200 calories, 9 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Hershey’s Oat Made Chocolate Bars

Julie 2 Comments

Hershey s Oat Made Chocolate Bars Wrappers

What are Hershey’s Oat Made Chocolate Bars?

Hershey’s new Oat Made line is the company’s first venture into plant-based chocolate. Made with oat milk instead of dairy, Oat Made bars are vegan, non-GMO, and made with Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa.

Two varieties are available: Classic Dark and Extra Creamy Almond & Sea Salt.

How are they?

When I first heard about Hershey’s Oat Made line, I was fascinated by its credentials. As an aspiring candy historian, I want my finger on the pulse of everything new in the world of chocolate. Also, I enjoy experimenting with milk alternatives not out of personal dietary need, but simply curiosity and awareness of friends and family who do have these needs. The presence of oat milk – a favorite dairy alternative – in chocolate seemed too interesting to ignore.

Hershey s Oat Made Chocolate Bars Dark

First, the Classic Dark bar is a convincing duplicate of its dairy-infused cousin. The flavor perfectly balances bitter and sweet. Breaking the bar into squares yields a satisfying snap – often a sign of higher quantities of cocoa butter – but this firm bite easily transitions into a smooth texture without the chalkiness dark chocolate can sometimes have. The bar is definitely on par with comparable products from higher-priced brands like Lindt or Ghiradelli.

Hershey s Oat Made Chocolate Bars Creamy 1

The Extra Creamy Almond & Sea Salt bar is meant to mimic milk chocolate, and while it doesn’t taste much like the classic Hershey’s milk chocolate, I mean this in the best possible way. The bar smells and tastes of cocoa powder, resulting in a richer and more authentic chocolate flavor without the mild tang characteristic of classic Hershey’s.

Hershey s Oat Made Chocolate Bars Creamy 2

“Extra Creamy” is a bit of a misnomer, because as the bar melts, a gritty texture emerges. The bar contains a generous amount of almond pieces, which provide a hint of salt and a satisfying crunch that distracts from the grittiness.

Anything else you need to know?

Both bars are part of a limited test release from now through June 2022. They will be available in select stores across the United States. I haven’t seen them in the wild, but as of this writing you can order them from Target.com.

Conclusion:

Whether you are searching to satisfy a dietary need or just trying to expand your confectionary horizons, Hershey’s Oat Made chocolate bars are satisfying options with the potential for additional innovation. Especially for the price point, either variety’s rich flavor would contribute nicely to a s’more.

Purchased Price: $1.99 each
Size: 1.55 oz (43 g)
Purchased at: Target.com
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Classic Dark), 7 out of 10 (Extra Creamy Almond & Sea Salt)
Nutrition Facts: Classic Dark – 210 calories, 16 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein. Extra Creamy Almond & Sea Salt – 230 calories, 16 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 16 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Candy Corn Red Vines

Mark 4 Comments

Candy Corn Red Vines Box

What are Candy Corn Red Vines?

Everyone’s favorite* red licorice** is now orange! But not only is the color new, but it also tastes like candy corn. (Supposedly.)

*Favorite unless you prefer Twizzlers, or Wallaby, or. . .

**OK, it’s not technically licorice, but who cares?

How are they?

So, what do Candy Corn Red Vines taste like?

Nothing.

Well, that’s not quite true. They taste like marshmallows. Which also taste like nothing.

Candy Corn Red Vines Candy Corn

I had some Brach’s candy corn to go with these Orange Vines, and the candy corn was positively flavorful in comparison. Let that sink in: these twists make candy corn taste flavorful.

Candy Corn Red Vines Orange

Texture-wise, these are like regular Red Vines. They are chewy, and I feel like I want to eat several, but once I finish one, it feels like I’ve already had two or three.

Anything else you need to know?

Candy Corn Red Vines Inside the Box

The ingredients list includes “natural and artificial flavor.” For the life of me, I can’t figure out what that could possibly be.

I can remember a lot of candy corn products from roughly a decade ago: Hershey’s Kisses (2007), Tootsie Dots (2009), Jones Soda (2009), M&Ms (2011), Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (2011), Oreo (2012), Charms Pops (2013), Hershey’s bars (2014), Jet-Puffed Marshmallows (2014), Spangler Circus Peanuts (2014), Peeps (2015), Hostess CupCakes (2015), Russell Stover Pumpkin (2018), and Pez (2018?).

I’m happy to revive the trend (if only for the novelty), but I wish Red Vines had brought a stronger offering.

Conclusion:

Well, at least they’re not gross. They’re just bland.

Purchased Price: $1.25
Size: 4 oz. package
Purchased at: Dick’s
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3 Twists) 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar including 12 grams of added sugar, and 1 gram of protein.