If you remember this candy from the days of high school French club fundraisers, you’re not alone. Eiffel Bon Bons, distributed in the U.S. by the Foreign Candy Company (based in Iowa), come in both strawberry and apple flavors. These are the varieties available through retailers to the general public, but rumor has it that fundraising groups have access to three additional flavors (blue raspberry, watermelon and cherry). Having never lived in France, I can’t confirm that this is true. But rumor also has it that Eiffel Bon Bons are a popular European candy, having been around for the last 20 or so years.
When I opened the strawberry package, I was expecting something that tasted soft and creamy, but I got a tart bite of sugary sweetness. These tiny candy chews are about the size of gumdrops, and the consistency of tough taffy or a day-old marshmallow. But who can argue with that adorable little French candy man on the packaging? He stretches out his white-gloved hand as if to say, “Welcome to France. Eat this candy, and you will be transported to someplace magical and delicious!” That said, the candy itself may be a bit too chewy for some. Hard on the jaws, the candy pieces are tasty, leaving their fruity undertones on the palate long after they are gone. The apple chew was not as good as the strawberry, but that’s just preference.
These aren’t the kinds of candies I could scarf down all at once—I’d rather enjoy them over time. If I could reinvent the packaging, I’d put them in a box rather than a bag, so I could close it up and enjoy some of the candies later in the day. Available 1.25- or 4-ounce bags, these French-inspired chews are good enough to chew on a rainy day, but nothing to write home about. Still, the company’s idea to market through school language clubs is brilliant. If you make the product available only at certain times and in certain seasons (take, for example, Girl Scout Cookies, or Cadbury Cream Eggs), the candy addicts will come running, waving their dollar bills all the way. It’s a proven fact.
The Flix Batman Push Puppet is candy with a bonus. The entire topper is a Batman toy (his arms wave up and down when you push on the base) that you can save after the candy is long gone. Kids are crazy about this candy product because it just screams “play with your food.” But the packaging is so complicated that you’re lucky to even get the candy out of the tube—I couldn’t open this for the longest time. Once you do get it open, you’ll be able to remove the toy topper and fill your mouth with candy in the shape of bats. With their great, sugary crunch, the tiny bat candies are about the size of Tic Tacs and come in shades of grays and purples. I couldn’t really distinguish a flavor—just tasted like sugar in my opinion. But that’s okay, because these candies are more for looks than anything else. The novelty of eating your favorite superhero is enough for most to pick it up off the shelves and buy it.
Specializing in novelty candy and licensed candy brands like Disney, Flix Candy Company is based in Illinois. Their candies make a wonderful gift for a special occasion (whether that’s a birthday, Christmas or Easter), and you won’t go broke trying to buy a candy that has a toy in the same package. The company also sells High School Musical and Hannah Montana candies for the next generation of kids destined for superstardom. It’s hard to resist these products for their familiarity. (C’mon, Batman would never make a second-rate candy! His powers must extend to candy….) But they’re not like some of the old favorites, like Peanut M&Ms or Jolly Ranchers, where you’re just destined to come back for more. All in all, Flix Batman Push Puppet is worth a shot, so long as you don’t have to fly halfway across Gotham to buy it.
Fun to eat and fun to wear, Flix Gummy Bands are indistinguishable from the real thing. Capitalizing on the slogan-bracelet craze (you know, the Lance Armstrong “Live Strong” fad that trickled down to other markets), these chewy bracelets are better because they’re edible. Though you could wear it all day instead of ingesting it, the fruity smell would probably drive you too wild not to eat it. I ripped open my bag excitedly and slipped the bracelet over my wrist (it fits adults and kids, too). The slogan said “Friends”—some say “Together” or “So Sweet.” For this reason, it’s an obvious choice for kids to trade at school for Valentine’s Day. I was too anxious to wear my gummy band for very long without eating it. Sinking my teeth into its blue raspberry core, I enjoyed the rich licorice-like texture and bright, fruity taste. My only complaint is that it didn’t last longer. I guess I’d be wise to buy a four-pack of bracelets to keep myself chewing awhile longer. The bands come in four great flavors—blue raspberry, green apple, grape and watermelon. My favorite was the green apple, but they’re all pretty good. One thing about novelty candy is that you sometimes must sacrifice a good taste for a great appearance. But this candy was tops, from the packaging to the wearability to its flavor.
Based in Niles, Illinois, Flix Candy has been putting their fun-filled confections on shelves nationwide since 1994. They have seasonal products for the “big four candy holidays” (Easter, Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day) as well as licensed candies representing such brands as Disney’s Hannnah Montana and High School Musical, and even Batman and Scooby Doo. Props to Flix for keeping candy fun and lighthearted—exactly what it should be. I’d eat Flix Gummy Bands again and again. Maybe next they’ll come out with gumdrop earrings? A gummy necktie?
Want candy you can pull apart and play with before you eat it? If you’re a fan of Fruit Roll Ups with pop-out shapes, Twizzler’s Pull-n-Peels and Oreos (the cookie that’s meant for twisting apart and licking the insides), you’ll probably dig Fascini’s Creatables. This candy puts the emphasis on “eat” (Cr-eat-ables), but the wrapper shows that this is meant to be fun for your hands, too. In fact, the company markets this as the candy you absolutely must play with before you eat. Open up a pack of these fruity shoelaces and you’ll chew on strawberry, apple, tutti frutti or blue raspberry fun.
I love the idea of candy that’s multidimensional. If it can provide kids with entertainment, rather than being here today, gone tomorrow, that’s a huge bonus. These candy ropes can be braided into lanyard jewelry, or sculpted into animals, buildings—whatever the mind can dream up. Unfortunately, the taste and the general waxy texture of the candy left something to be desired. These aren’t especially great going down. But then again, kids probably won’t notice. They’re busy having too much fun! Props to Fascini for inspiring creativity in its eaters. This would make a great candy for a special occasion, like Easter or Christmas. If you’re curious and would like to try your hand at lanyard-making, try out a pack of these fruity ropes today.
Based in the Netherlands, the Fascini company is nearly a century old, getting its start not in candies, but in rodent repellent. Now attracting instead of repelling its clients, Fascini has expertise in licorices, peppermint candies and other chewy or gummy treats. The company also makes some great sweet and sour gummy candies like Sour Snagx and Sour Cosmix, made with the same fruitgum recipe. All in all, Creatables get an “A” for fun but a “C” for taste.
Wolfgang Candies is an American, family-run business opened since 1921. (Don’t confuse these with restaurateur Wolfgang Puck’s line of products.) Though they are lesser known than some of the big guys (Nestle, Hershey’s, and others), they have been perfecting their craft for four generations. And it shows in products like their Sweet Dark Chocolate Covered Candies. These are, in a word, delectable, and just what their name says they are. Think chocolate covered cherries gone wild! Now you have fresh fruits like blueberries, raspberries, and even cranberries packed into dark chocolate truffles and individually wrapped for freshness. These are not your typical Christmastime cherry cordials with the milky, creamy filling—these are crafted to perfection, with more fruit flavor in the filling than is typical with truffles.
These candies are regal in appearance, with shiny foil wrappers and the company logo emblazoned all around. The Wolfgang Company sells these in 5-ounce bags and 12-ounce gift boxes—and they would make a fantastic gift for the dark chocolate lover on your shopping list. Wolfgang chocolates also are always at home in your candy dish.
They are great to take to a party or to leave as a hostess gift, but they are most at home in your mouth. I didn’t want to stop eating the chocolate covered blueberries or raspberries (not a surprise, since I’m a huge dark chocolate fan), but the cranberries also pleasantly surprised me. They pair with chocolate in an unexpectedly tasty way. If you’re looking for something different to please your palate, try Wolfgang’s chocolate pretzel tins, peanut brittle, chocolate covered nuts, caramel, sugar-free candies, and holiday items like chocolate Santas and snowmen. The Wolfgang Company is also a friend to the community, manufacturing special seasonal products especially for churches, school groups, and other associations.
What do you get when you mix Billy Bob Teeth with rap star Nelly’s dental fixation?
“Lemme see ya grillz!” Grillz Candy is one of the most surprising candies of this decade. Aimed at children three and older, this fruity lollipop is attached to a “partial” denture made of six shiny, silver teeth that you can use to dress up like your favorite rapper. When you smile, your new grillz will shine, letting people know you mean business. And the best part—this grill doesn’t cost thousands of dollars like the ones real rappers wear. Celebrity grills can cost anywhere from $50 for one gold-encrusted tooth to as much as $10,000! Wrappers lile Lil Jon, Snoop Dogg and the Ying Yang Twins sport diamond-jeweled grills in gold or platinum varieties. With the notion that “bigger is better,” these rappers really put their money where their mouth is. And Since Nelly’s hit song “Grillz,” this hip-hop phenomenon has become a worldwide fad. Just listen to the lyrics: “My teeth are mind blowin’ givin everybody chillz. Call me George Foreman ’cause I’m sellin’ everybody grillz.”
Just like Grillz candy, real Grillz can be bad for your teeth. The American Dental Association believes that wearing metal a metal grill extensively can cause bacteria to get trapped causing cavities, gum disease, or bone loss. If that’s the case, buying Grillz candy for your kids is definitely a better alternative to the real thing—price-wise and health-wise. I ripped open this package, anxious to see my rapper face. What would I look like with grillz? Would I like the look so much I’d want to keep it? That thought was fleeting, as I realized I’d just succumbed to another trend not much different from Billy Bob Teeth. In fact, Grillz are today what Billy Bob Teeth were a decade ago, and what wax lips were in the 1950’s and 60’s. What will you look like with a shiny smile? No need to rob a jewelry store—you can get these Grillz in the novelty candy section of your local grocery store.
As if Switzerland hasn’t brought the world enough marvels in candy and sweets, they’ve also brought us Ricola—a natural alternative in throat drops. Ricola Refreshers Swiss Herb Throat Drops come in two flavors: the popular LemonMint and the lesser-known Elderflower. The ingredient list is impressive—these natural mints include herbs like horehound, mallow, elder, hyssop, lemon balm, linden flowers, peppermint, sage, and thyme. Being sugar-free, the throat drops have the added benefit or relieving minor sore throat.
I tried the Elderflower drops first—I was pleasantly surprised by these throat lozenges. Each drop is oval-shaped and packaged in a pocket-sized container. So what does an elderflower taste like? It carries a hint of citrus and a touch of floral flavors—but I really can’t describe the overall taste. Perhaps it’s a bit like Clark’s Teaberry Gum? Quite tasty indeed, these throat drops are long lasting and they have a smooth texture that doesn’t leave your teeth feeling filmy like some other cough drops do. It’s also not overwhelming in the menthol department, so you’ll enjoy a nice, enjoyable taste without feeling like you have breath more powerful than a dragon’s.
LemonMint is another popular flavor sold by Ricola, and rightly so. This throat drop is pleasant to taste and naturally refreshing. It tastes more like a fresh lemon rind than your typical lemon-flavored candy—you could easily picture how nice the scent would be if you could bottle it up and spray it around your home for a whiff of lemony freshness. Personally, I’d go for the Elderflower if given a choice of the two—but why not stock up on both? You know you’ll go through bags and bags of these the next time you have a sore throat. All in all, these throat drops live up to the name—they are truly refreshing.
We know that companies are making a killing selling 100-calorie and individually wrapped snacks. In the health-crazed culture we live in, people don’t want to give up their favorite snacks entirely. That’s where Hershey’s York Peppermint Wafer Bar comes in. Tasting a bit like the chocolate and mint Grasshopper cookies by Keebler, these York bars are covered in milk chocolate and filled with minty goodness. Two 3-inch chocolate wafers round out the snack, which weighs in at only 6 grams of fat and 11 grams of carbs for those who are counting. I think these York Wafers taste great, with a crisp mint flavor peeking through a chocolate crunchy coating. In fact, I wasn’t expecting to get such a powerful minty taste from such a small package. My only complaint with this snack is that there’s not more to share. But the health-conscious crowd will really dig these new and improved York candy bars.
Since the 1920’s, The York Company (named after its headquarters in Pennsylvania) introduced its famous Peppermint Patty in 1940. After the demand grew for this minty chocolate treat, the company decided to focus on these exclusively and immediately shut off production of their other products, mainly ice cream cones. The York Patty was then sold to the Peter-Paul Company in the mid 1970’s, and was later acquired by Cadbury Schweppes. Hershey’s merged with Cadbury Schweppes in 1988, and the rest is candy history.
In recent years, York Peppermint Patties have mostly remained unchanged (why mess with a good thing?), but I’m quite impressed by the 100 Calorie Wafer Bar. It’s a tasty snack to take with you on the road, and the crunchy texture makes it feel more filling than the traditional peppermint patty. But it’s hard to get too filled by this low-calorie snack. Grab a couple when you’re feeling naughty.
You’ve heard of popping caffeine pills for energy or gulping down a Red Bull. But caffeinated mints? Mojo for Energy is the first caffeinated mint I’ve ever heard of, and I’ve decided to give it a whirl. Each minty tablet is said to equal one cup of coffee or one energy drink, providing 22 milligrams of caffeine. How do they get caffeine into a little tablet in the first place? The mint’s number two ingredient is guarana extract—and guarana fruit contains three times the caffeine of a coffee bean the same size! Ingenious. Ginseng, taurine and vitamin B12 round out the formula. Another benefit of this tablet? It only has five calories, which is a vast improvement over calorie-laden soft drinks and specialty coffees and the empty calories consumed there, just for the sake of staying alert. Each packet contains 12 mint tablets that you can stash in your pocket or purse for convenience.
Each mint is about the circumference of a nickel and has a cool taste. The actual flavor is called Tri-mint, which tastes a lot like chalky peppermint to me. The tablet must be savored like a lozenge, because it is too hard to chew right through. But that means you have more time to let the mint freshen your whole mouth while the ingredients kick in to give you a boost of alertness for that long road trip or snore-worthy business meeting. I have personally been scared straight from trying these kinds of supplements since I witnessed Jessie (Elizabeth Berkley) from Saved By the Bell fall into a dangerous rendezvous with caffeine pills in order to stay awake and study. But, used responsibly, caffeine is a part of life for so many people—and, for that reason, this seems like an ingenious product that could really catch on.
Mojo for Energy is brought to us by Sweet Stuff Innovative Products. Product creator Jill Pyles wanted to create an alternative to coffee and soft drinks for a quick boost of energy. The name “Mojo” was decided upon because it represented the first initials of people in her family—and the final “o” was added to signify the others who would try the product.
Atkinson’s most famous candy, Chick-O-Sticks are a cultural icon. Quite a nostalgic treat, these candies are a favorite of the generation that grew up rocking out to Elvis and cutting loose with the Jitterbug or the Lindy Hop. Lucky for us, these candies are still sold widely today. Chick-O-Sticks are made from a recipe of finely ground and roasted peanuts mixed with granulated sugar. The mixture is then rolled into candy sticks and topped with toasted coconut. If you like Butterfingers, you may like Chick-O-Sticks, because the filling of both is virtually the same. Or, like me, you may just wonder where all the chocolate coating went. Still, the Atkinson’s company is doing their own thing, and the resulting candy pieces are flaky, crunchy, and a bit like tightly wound peanut brittle. The taste is good, but these orange-colored nuggets will get stuck in your teeth, so keep a toothbrush handy for afterward. I liked these overall, but I wouldn’t eat a bag full, or even crave them. And that’s coming from a fan of both peanut butter and coconut. A plus to these candies it that they are individually wrapped and they will not melt in the heat. With two grams of fat and 80 calories per serving, you won’t have your fitness instructor on your tail.
Sold in longer sticks or smaller, bite-size pieces, Chick-O-Sticks are founded in a strong candy-making tradition. The Atkinson’s Company has been making sweets since 1932 from their home in Lufkin, Texas. The company is family-owned and produces other quality products like Old Fashion Peanut Brittle, Assorted Sours, Mint Twists, Long Boys (chewy coconut caramels), Rainbow Coconut and Peanut Butter Bars. By far the most popular, Chick-O-Sticks are a great invention, and one that we hope will be around for future generations of candy aficionados.
