If you like a hot, fiery cinnamon flavor (much like Red Hots candies), you’ll love Ragold Cinnamon Mints. A 1.5 oz. rectangular tin of these mints (which are each about the size of an Altoid) is both portable and practical. Let’s face it—we all run into occasions when our breath could use a little freshening, and it’s nice to switch it up from the normal peppermint or spearmint breath mint. What makes these mints stand out in the crowd is that they are all natural and sugar free. People who must steer clear of gluten products or artificial sweeteners can still eat these. Yes, because Ragold uses natural flavors, these mints are a great substitute for your normal, everyday mint.

Both spicy and refreshing (as is printed on the tin), Ragold Cinnamon mints are based off of an impressive recipe. With a long-lasting taste and no sugary residue leftover on the teeth, these mints give the feeling of actually cleaning your mouth. That’s a bold claim to make, perhaps, but I rarely eat mints if I know that they will leave a film or sugary coating after dissolving in my mouth. It’s just not always convenient to brush your teeth when you’re on the go, and so I really appreciate the fresh feeling these mints leave behind. Ragold Confections (most famous for their sugar-free Velamints) is doing some other exciting things in the mint industry—like making mints for golfers. Yes, their PGA Tour line features both peppermint and cinnamon sugar-free mints shaped like tiny golf balls (dimples included). They also come in a tin that’s shaped like a golf ball. Ragold’s Dilbert mints are also cleverly marketed products. They are shaped like the popular comic-strip characters (Dilbert, Dog-bert, Cat-bert) and the tins come labeled with such names as Appoint-mints, Pay-mints and Perform-mints. And so, it would be more than appropriate to say that Ragold’s corner on the sugar-free market is a huge Accomplish-mint.

 

Though it’s standard fare in checkout aisles and convenience store counters, this gum hasn’t been around for as long as you might think. In 1975, Wrigley decided it was time to release a cinnamon flavored chewing gum. The “big� in the name doesn’t refer to the size of the sticks, but rather the huge, power-packed flavor in every bite. (This is contrary to the image set out by Wrigley’s Big League Chew—only big “macho� guys chew that stuff, right? Oh wait, it’s really for 10-year-old boys.) By 1987, Big Red was the best-selling cinnamon flavored gum in its market—how’s that for a success story? Now sold widely in the U.S., Canada and Germany, Big Red has a bolder, wilder taste than when it was first unleashed on the gum-chewing public. Like Wrigley’s Doublemint or Winterfresh, the gum comes in the 17-count Plen-T-Pak or the smaller, more convenient five-stick mini packs. But the single, ongoing packaging question that has plagued gum manufacturers is: How you can get so much flavor into one little stick and make it last?

Big Red’s flavor does last longer than many gums. Frankly, I don’t chew gum unless it provides fresher breath that lasts, and this gum is a gold-medal champion in that category. But perhaps I was just persuaded into chewing it by the company’s 1990s marketing jingle (always sung while several couples kissed passionately in the commercials background): “So kiss a little longer. Stay close a little longer. Pull tight a little longer—longer with Big Red! That Big Red freshness lasts right through it. Your fresh breath goes on and on while you chew it. Say goodbye a little longer. Make it last a little longer. Give your breath long-lasting freshness with Big Red!� Despite it’s cheese factor, I could still sing every note—the sign of a great jingle. Yes, it worked perfectly during that era gone by, and I’ve been a proud chewer of Big Red (and the entire Wrigley family of gums) ever since.

 

Individually wrapped in bright yellow packaging, Sweet’s Cinnamon Bears are hot (but not too hot) and big (but not mammoth—just the right size for your gummy-loving appetite). Sweet’s quality candies are based out of Salt Lake City (ironic, eh?), and their line also includes fruity Nummy Bears, Sour Bears and Black Tie Bears. But the cinnamon variety is truly top-notch. Open up this wrapper, and you’ll unpack a gummy treat that isn’t sugared on the outside like gummy fruit slices, but one that has a smooth outer surface wrapped around firm cinnamon innards. About an inch tall, Sweet’s bears are quite sizable when compared to gummy candies produced by other companies like Hairbo. The bear itself, being larger than most, has a visible smiling expression. But don’t feel bad about hurting this guy—he gets his pleasure out of making consumers happy.

The texture is, as I said before, firm or dense unlike the gummier chews available, making it a filling and satisfying treat. You can eat a handful of these for a well-portioned snack. Cinnamon Bears have been around for years and years; Sweet’s started as a family tradition in Portland, Oregon in 1892 by Leon Sweet. In those days, all of the company’s candy was made by hand, and varieties were limited. But the people couldn’t get enough. By the time these candy makers moved the company to Utah in 1900, they had earned a reputation for quality that still holds true today. Though they currently manufacture over 250 products, Sweet’s is still most famous for Cinnamon Bears, Chocolate Orange Sticks and Salt Water Taffy. I’ve only recently discovered these delicious Cinnamon Bears, but am already hooked on them. They are a perfect blend of sweet and spicy cinnamon, and I’d grab a handful on the go anytime. It’s no wonder they’ve been around for so long, a candy tradition that’s meant to be discovered.

 

Hey Kids! The Sheriff here, reviewing one of my favorite treats…Hot Tamales. These little jelly candies pack a fiery cinnamon kick in each and every bite. Some people are not brave enough to eat them, but not The Sheriff. I LOVE hot stuff! The hotter, the better and Hot Tamales are definitely muy caliente!

Hot Tamales first arrived in the candy scene in 1950. Created by the Just Born candy company, they were among the first “hot� candies to grace drugstore shelves. Along with cinnamon toothpicks and Red Hots, they have spanned not only time, but the globe! Hot Tamales have brought the heat to China, South Africa and Australia, to name a few.

With a jelly bean sort of consistency, the Hot Tamales make for a fun, chewy candy. Bright red, with a sugary, hard outer shell that dissolves when you chew it, making way for the “hot� cinnamon jelly candy beneath, they are sizzling little candies that definitely live up to their name. But these aren’t your ordinary, everyday candies; they are candies that have been “kicked up a notch�. They are great when you don’t want the same old thing, but be warned, these little suckers are H-O-T! A box of these will leave your mouth on fire, so it’s best to have a bottle of water (or a fire extinguisher!) nearby! Even the packaging screams hot, hot hot! A bright red box that features a searing fireball reflects the energy and heat of these tasty treats. But fear not candy-kids, Hot Tamales won’t bring tears to your eyes…unless your box is empty, like mine. Waaaaah!

Okay, by show of hands, how many people out there have ever wanted to be the guy at the circus that sticks fire in his mouth without so much as flinching over and over again? Wow, so I’m not the only one. Though I cannot condone you try what I just mentioned above, you could come about as close as you could ever want by popping a few of Gimbals Lava Balls in your mouth and holding them there as long as you can. Oh God it burns!!!

These marble sized candies seem innocent enough, but once you actually bite into them it’s like someone let loose a flamethrower on your taste buds. I am a big fan of the atomic fireball jawbreakers, but these little hot bombs give the reigning king of mouth pain a run for its’ money. The candy is soft and easy to chew (similar to soft sour balls) but once in your mouth for 10 seconds you will notice the difference between a hard fire ball and a soft lava ball. The lava ball breaks down in your mouth and is coated with flamin hot candy; conversely, the hard atomic fireball can be moved around a bit with your tongue to avoid pain. The taste is pleasurable for sure but the pain that follows is not for the faint of heart! If you’re feeling brave, try a few yourself. Just be sure you’re within arms length of the nearest fire extinguisher.