Here’s my take that is a bit different than my co-reviewer.  In 1972, Tootsie Roll Industries acquired the Mason Division of Candy Corporation of America. They then two famous “theater candies” to the Tootsie Roll candy family: Mason Crows and Mason DOTS. Today, delicious DOTS are one of the best known brands of gumdrops in America. Tootsie Roll Industries produces more than 16 million Dots a day in their Chicago Plant.

Tropical DOTS offer a refreshing variety of exotic flavors. In 2003, Tropical DOTS began sporting a new “ocean horizon” package and new, improved fresh flavors including island nectar, wild mango, grapefruit cooler, carambola melon, and paradise punch.

My mom loves Dots. They remind her of candy she ate as a kid. I have had both flavors and I like them equally. The originals feature cherry, lemon, lime, strawberry and orange, while the Tropical flavors (shown above) pack more of an interesting flavor punch. They are basically a gum drop without the usual sugar coating. They are smooth and fruity. These chewy little treats are a fun snack and one that candy lovers of future generations will be sure to enjoy.

Another reviewer wanted to voice his opinion on Chuckles.  Here you go…Sometimes great sacrifice or meditation can be the key to a person’s inner happiness. Sometimes it’s chewy fruit flavored gumdrops. I found that Chuckles gumdrops are actually not that funny. They have some serious fruit flavor hidden beneath their wrapper. I counted several different flavors including the token black licorice flavor. It kind of threw me for a loop because I was expecting it to be grape flavored judging by the color. Surprise!! Chuckles have a good thing going because they are part gumdrop and part jellybean, a sort of, candy hybrid if you will, perhaps a new class of candy all together. I can see it now. Make way planet earth, for the stunning fruit taste of the future of candy……..the Jelly-drop. These little bite sized treats were pleasing to the pallet, but I was suddenly overtaken with urge to go floss my teeth.

Just saying the name of this candy makes me smile. Chuckles have been around since the early 1900’s, pleasing kids and adults alike with their chewy, jelly-like candy. Each candy piece is coated with a dusting of sugar that adds a pleasing crunch to this fruity favorite. Five domino-shaped pieces grace each package…lemon, cherry, lime, orange (my personal favorite) and licorice.

These delightful candies are reminiscent of days gone by. A simpler, mellower day. Days of fishing off the pier and old men playing checkers in front of a general store. I remember visiting an old town like this when I was young. We drove through Texas and stopped for a drink at a general store. I was only knee high to a grasshopper back then and when we walked in all the goodies were at my eye level. Old wooden barrels full of peppermint and butterscotch disks, root-beer candies and of course, Chuckles. They were so colorful, so appealing to my child-like mind that I had to have them. I incessantly nagged my mom until the package was in my hand and moments later the first of the fruity candies safely tucked in my mouth. And you know what? They taste as good now as they did then.