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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.

Tags: bon bon, chewy candy, fruit candies, soft candy, sweets

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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?

Tags: Flix candy, toy candy, fruit candies, gummy bracelet, sweets

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.

Tags: Fascini, Toy candy, fruit candies, candy ropes, sweets

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.

Tags: Wolfgang candy, chocolate covered, fruit candies, sweet chocolate, sweets

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.

Tags: York, Low calorie candy, wafer candy, mint chocolate, sweets

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.

Tags: crunchy, peanut butter, toasted coconut, honeycombed, sweets

The mysterious RJ claims to “scour the world” to find the best natural ingredients to use in this licorice. (Who is this guy anyway?) The end result sure tastes natural, but in a very good, non-wheat-germ-kind-of way. RJ’s Natural Licorice Logs are smooth in texture and taste, not waxy-tasting or artificially flavored like most licorice produced in the U.S. Soft and easy to chew, RJ’s Licorice Logs come in black and raspberry, but also in chocolate, apricot and orange chocolate varieties.

The raspberry flavor is not phony in taste, but closer to what a real raspberry delivers the taste buds. Fans of black licorice will appreciate the natural, velvety texture of RJ’s blend. Whether you buy the individually wrapped logs or the packs of three, these licorice logs are a hearty treat, and much more filling than Twizzlers. Maybe that’s because the wrapper lists it’s “energy” content on the nutrition facts—not calorie count. This company makes everything, even candy, sound healthy and good for you. Vegetarians and vegans will be happy to chow down on this licorice, but the main ingredient is gluten—so gluten-free dieters will need to steer clear. All in all, the ingredient list is impressive, and you really feel like you’re eating something good for you in this candy gone natural.

RJ’s is based out of New Zealand and is family operated. Do they make other candy products, you may ask? No. Licorice is their passion, their one and only. And with this focus on one product, they hope to bring innovation to the field as they “take licorice into the future.” I think there is something to be said for a company to specialize in one product and do it well. That is what RJ’s has done, and it truly shows in every bite.

Tags: Licorice candy, Soft candy, natural candy, healthy candy, sweets

San Francisco–based candy company Gimbal’s was born in 1898. (Yes, that’s Gimbal’s, not gumballs.) Brothers Alexander, Louis and Eugene Gimbal Joined forces to cook up some of the greatest candy in town. In fact, they first made a name for themselves by using a steam-production process under the name “Pacific Steam Candy Factory.” Making penny candies and nickel candy bars, not much has changed outside of the price. They still have the old-fashioned goods, but also some innovative candies in the works.

Good thing for Gimbal’s, some candies never get old. Take jelly beans, for instance. These are not just a sweet treat for Easter baskets anymore, but are yummy any day of the year. Gimbal’s Jelly Beans are of the gourmet variety, and they come in 41 flavors like tiramisu, java, buttered popcorn, baja margarita, key lime, boysenberry, french vanilla, passion fruit, peach, chocolate, lemon meringue, blue Hawaiian, tutti frutti and hot cinnamon—and that’s not even half of them. You may be thinking that these sound a lot like the Jelly Belly flavors, and they are very similar. But there are some different ones—and besides, there’s no copyright on candy flavors. That would be so limiting! The Java is a standout flavor—tastes just like a cup of gourmet flavored coffee. Perfectly Pear is divine, and Orange ‘n Cream tastes just like a Dreamsicle. You might be knocked off your feet when you taste the Butted Popcorn jelly bean. It’s strikingly similar to a movie theater bucket of buttery goodness. Strawberry Daiquiri was a bit over the top in flavor, and tasted artificial. But each flavor is so much it’s own, that you have to taste them all (with a big gulp of water in between) to really make a judgment call. I love Gimbal’s Jelly Beans, and will most definitely be a repeat customer. You should satisfy your gourmet tastes with a bag of your own.

Tags: Gimbal’s, jelly beans, soft candy, kosher candy, sweets

Specializing in old-fashioned candies, Espeez (the candy-making division of Las Vegas’s SP Enterprises) is nonetheless a company on the move. Since 1993, they’ve made sweet treats such as their Rock Candy (the kind on wooden sticks), Gold Mine bubble gum, Aunt Flo’s fudge, and other novelty candy products inspired by a bygone era. But this family-run company, started by brothers Sam and Alan Popowcer, also produce new products that catch on with the kids, like Viper Venom (a sour powder candy that sounds more like torture than a treat to anyone over age 18).

Espeez Peanut and Pecan Log Rolls are unique in the candy industry—no one else really makes this kind of candy the way Espeez does. Each 1.5 to 2 ounce log roll is a hearty size. Good luck finishing this off in one serving, unless you’ve skipped lunch. A sweet and fluffy vanilla nougat center is rolled in finely chopped nuts (either peanuts of pecans) to make this handmade treat so delicious. I like to picture grandma’s kitchen, a place where each layer of nougat is rolled out by hand with love. The peanut log roll is a bit salty, which is a nice complement to the sugary center, while the pecan roll is almost too sweet. But everyone has their own preferences, so you’ll have to try both to see which one is to your liking. I really liked this candy after I got used to eating it. It’s not quite a candy bar, and though it is soft, it’s also not something you can just wolf down. A heavy yet satisfying candy, I had to eat this over several days—and even that was with some help from friends. But isn’t that how a good candy should be…long lasting? So, where do you buy these candies if you have no mom and pop store nearby? Try finding them online at www.espeezcandy.com.

Tags: fluffy candy, caramel and pecans, nougat candy, peanuts, sweets

Sometimes, you feel the need to get back to Mother Nature. If you feel that longing yourself, why not treat your breath to the same experience? Ricola Breath Mints declare themselves to be nature’s perfect mint. In three flavors, Peppermint, Spearmint, and LemonMint (Ricola’s best-selling mint flavor), Ricola Breath Mints come in an easy-to-dispense .88-ounce box. The mints use naturally chewy gum arabic and a natural herb mix for flavorings. But the ingredient list also includes aspartame, which immediately negates the “all natural” taglines as far as I’m concerned. Not that I stray from aspartame as a general rule, but it’s certainly not the best for human health from what I’ve heard.

I first opened the LemonMint, to see what all the fuss was about. After all, don’t most breath mints claim to be sugar-free, refreshing, and long lasting? These chewy mints from Ricola have a gummy quality to them that is similar to a thick licorice. They are shaped like a tiny gumdrop and feel smooth inside the mouth, but are not easy to chew. The overall taste of these mints was definitely healthy, but not outstanding. Another downfall is I felt like I had to eat three or four mints to get the freshness I’d normally expect one breath mint to bring. The spearmint flavor packed a lot more punch than the lemon, as did the peppermint, which won out in the flavor department.

My favorite feature was the unique click-top box. I don’t know how they did it, but the cardboard box audibly “clicks” into place when you close the top. This is a great feature for a person who hates it when breath mints spill out in their pocket or inside their purse. The box is very much pocket-sized and is convenient to take with you when you’re on the go. All in all, I’d say Ricola Breath Mints’ strongest asset is packaging. If you’re looking for a more natural alternative to your standard breath freshener, this may be just what you need.

Tags: Ricola, breath mints, herb candies, chewy mints, sweets