“Name Something That Melts in Your Mouth, But Not in Your Hand.” The M&M brand has been around since 1941, and its corner on today’s candy market is substantial. The first chocolate candy that comes to mind for many—in fact, I think you’d find it as the Number One Answer if you were asked on Family Feud to name the best-selling chocolate candy.

Traditional M&M’s just got a little scarier. Popularized by an Addams Family advertising campaign, Dark Chocolate M&M’s are just another twist on the candy-coated chocolates the world has grown to love. Each colorful candy is printed with the famous, white-printed “m” logo with the word “dark” just below. The same candy crunch is there, but the chocolate is richer, darker, and more satisfying—just as dark chocolate fans would expect. Imagine eating a bag of candy-coated semisweet chocolate chips. That’s what you can expect in this product.

You can buy M&M’s pretty much anywhere candy is sold, but you may have to look a little harder for the dark chocolate variety. Use their handy product locater on the Web at http://us.mms.com to find specialty M&M’s near you. Other varieties you may need to try (or try again!) are dark-chocolate-peanut, peanut butter, almond, and M&M baking bits.

I bought a small bag at a gas station and expected to have the thing completely gone by the by the end of my commute home from work. Instead, I had some to share and a handful to save for later—and I felt completely satisfied of my chocolate craving. Not many milk chocolate products can attain such excellent results, but Dark M&M’s really knocked that craving out of the ballpark. The only complaint about these candies is that they seemed a bit small, though I’m sure they are the same size as normal M&M’s. It may be that I’m just spoiled on the peanut-filled ones.

Tags: M&M, dark chocolate, candy coated, bite size candy, sweets

It’s long been in my mind that eating raw cookie dough is bad for you. Whether or not that is merely an old wives’ tale, I can’t say. But when I saw cookie dough in a candy box for sale in the movie theater, I knew I wanted to try it. Because I’m a budget shopper, I waited until I could find the movie theater boxes on sale at my local dollar store. I stocked up on Fudge Brownie Cookie Dough Bites, and bought extras for stocking stuffers. I later found out that these cookie dough candies come in three other varieties: peanut butter cookie dough, chocolate chip cookie dough, and a dark-chocolate-covered version of the chocolate chip cookie dough. Tongue twister or not, I was ready to start eating.

I opened up the box to find tiny bites of chocolicious dough, raw as can be, covered in an outer layer of milk chocolate. The outside was shiny and polished, like chocolate covered raisins or peanuts. But I much preferred what was inside this candy shell. Delicious cookie dough, just like mom always made. I bit into another, and another. These movie-theater boxes give you plenty of candy to share with friends, or you may want to save some for later. I nursed that box for as long as I could, stashed it in my sock drawer for those chocolate cravings, and brought it out again and again. The best part: you don’t have to sneak some from the bowl when nobody is looking. Fudge Brownie Cookie Dough Bites are perfectly safe to eat. How so? There are no eggs in the secret recipe, which is mainly flour, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Now that’s a brilliant idea.

I’ve tried a few other candies that are made to taste like cookies, and I haven’t always been pleased with the result. But if you buy Cookie Dough Bites, a product of the Taste of Nature candy company, you’ll be satisfied with any flavor. Just don’t try to bake them, or you’ll have a melted pile of cookie dough candy.

Tags: Brownies, bite size candy, cookie dough, milk chocolate, sweets

What candy is more fun to eat than Pez? These little candy tablets come in assorted fruit flavors, the most popular of which are strawberry, orange, lemon and grape. But their true appeal is in the fun containers featuring cartoon characters, celebrities, holiday icons, animals, and even video game characters. Pez dispensers are collectable toys available in convenience stores, grocery stores, toy stores and elsewhere for around a dollar. You can buy refills packs of the candy or, since they are so affordable, purchase another container which comes with two or three new packs. The dispenser opens to hold an entire pack of Pez, so you can toss it on your desk or in your car and enjoy the candies one at a time—straight from Santa Claus’s mouth (or Mickey’s… or Spiderman’s… or a random clown’s…).

Pez originated in Vienna, Austria as a peppermint meant to cure smoker’s breath. In German, the word Pferrerminz (which means peppermint) was shortened to create the name Pez. (If you need some useless trivia at a social gathering, pull that one out—you’ll be the only one who knows.) But since adopting the popular fruit flavors, sours, and more, Pez has permeated candy culture worldwide. In the United States, nearly 3 million of these candies are sold every year. That’s a huge number, but believable since these are so affordable and because they make great gifts.

From stocking stuffers to Easter basket contents, I’ve owned many Pez dispensers over the years. They are equally fun for kids and adults, which is why they’ve retained their popularity for so many years. There’s something great about a candy that you can interact with, share with friends, and always count on to brighten your day. My favorite Pez flavor is a tie between strawberry and orange, but I’m a big fan of the assorted flavor packs. My favorite dispenser ever? That’s a tough one. But I must confess that I did break down and purchase the turtle from Over the Hedge because he was just that adorable.

Tags: Pez, bite size candy, fruit candies, candy toys, sweets

In 1990, the traditional five flavors found in every Skittles pack met their match. It was in that year that possibly the best ever flavor combination entered the scene. Its members included: raspberry (blue), wild cherry (red), strawberry (magenta), berry punch (purple), and melon berry (green). The posse decided they would go by the group name Wild Berry Skittles. The rest is history.

If given the choice between a traditional pack of Skittles and a Wild Berry pack, I bet you can guess which one I would go for. It’s due to the fact that I just almost always prefer the berry flavors of any candy—putting them all together and losing the lemon-lime category almost feels like cheating. But Wild Berry beats Tropical Skittles, the Smoothie Mix, and Sour Skittles if you ask me. Those other new-fangled flavor combos all leave berry-lovers out in the cold. Not that there was anything wrong with the original flavor pack, introduced to the U.S. from England in 1974. There’s always a place for those colors, all found on the color wheel, and what their traditional flavor counterparts bring to the table. Skittles are owned today by Mars, Inc., granddaddy of the Mars Bar, Snickers, M&Ms, Milky Way, and more. With that kind of solid reputation, I don’t think we’ll see Skittles drop off the market, um, ever.

Each bite-sized candy with a hard-coated shell is the size and shape of an M&M with a white letter “S�? stamped on the side. I prefer to eat Wild Berry Skittles all together, because their flavors mesh perfectly. Strawberry and berry punch are delicious, and their fruity flavors really pop out of each piece. My sole complaint about Skittles is that they really leave your teeth feeling unclean after you chew through the sugary goodness. But if that’s the price you pay for good candy, you can sign me up every time.

Tags: Skittles, bite size candy, fruit chews, fruit candies, sweets

Five flavors of fruity candy chews in a movie theater box (or a smaller bag if you prefer)—you can’t go wrong with this formula. Mike & Ikes come to us from Just Born Candy Company, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They were invented in 1940, and the popular flavors changed over the years. But the five original fruits (strawberry, lime, lemon, orange, and cherry) remain today and are sold in a variety pack. Other Mike & Ikes combinations available are Tropical Typhoon, Jolly Joes (grape), Berry Blast, and Tangy Twister. They have an upcoming promotion where you can vote for the next new flavor combination, if you feel your voice should be heard. Just Born candy company also makes Hot Tamales (a cinnamon-flavored version of Mike & Ikes), Zours, and the Easter season’s popular treat, marshmallow Peeps.

Mike & Ikes are the same consistency as a jelly bean, but they are about the size and shape of a large Tylenol Extra Strength pill. Still, you won’t have to work hard to get these pills down, because their fruit flavors are pure delight. My favorites are strawberry and lemon, and I especially like to mix them together for a little strawberry lemonade. Mike & Ikes’ packaging has changed over the decades, but the flavor remains the same. You can tell by visiting their website that Mike & Ikes are trying to appeal to a young, hip audience with their Web presence resembling a skatepark with grafitti text and all. But adults will buy them for the nostalgia factor and kids don’t really need a reason to eat candy—so in that sense, they’ve got all their bases covered. Mike & Ikes are one of my favorite chewy, fruit candies that I’ve recently rediscovered. Discover them again or for the first time at your local convenience or grocery store or a movie theater. You won’t be disappointed by the juicy taste that bursts from each little piece.

Tags: Mike & Ike, Movie candy, fruit chews, fruit candies, sweets

Candy for wine connoisseurs? A brand of British-based Cadbury candies, Maynards Wine Gums are hot, hot, hot in the UK, which is where I first tried them. In fact, they are to the U.K. what Starburst and Skittles are to the United States. Imagine chewy gum drops in wine-inspired flavors and colors, and you’ve imagined Maynards Wine Gums.

But, don’t be fooled by the name. Wine gums are not chewing gum, but more of a chewy gummi candy. And they don’t contain any wine! They come in larger bags and smaller rolls that you can pick up from the candy aisle and take on the road for a refreshing fruity taste. These candies may not suit those who don’t like wine—or parents who don’t want their kids to develop a liking for alcohol. They come in flavors like port, sherry, burgundy, champagne and claret, as well as different shapes including kidney-shaped, crown, and rectangle. Invented by Charles Maynard in 1909, these chews have a thicker consistency than other gummies, which lets the flavor last—like a fine wine. The flavor quotient on these candies is outstanding—bright and refreshing all the way down.

I was initially lured in by a wall-sized poster in a London Tube stop. Wine Gums? I was stumped. I could tell they were candies and that I wanted to try them, but I really didn’t know what to expect. So I dashed off to a convenience store to stock up on Green & Blacks candy bars (a real candy gem!) and purchased a pack of wine gums out of curiosity. At first taste, I didn’t know what to think. They did in fact taste a bit like alcohol, but not in an overwhelming way. The flavor was unique but hard to describe. Black and red wine gums are the most popular, but yellow, green, and orange are not to be omitted. The number-one selling fruity candy in the U.K., wine gums are a product you really have to experience for yourself.

Tags: Wine gummi, chewy gum drops, fruit chews, fruity candy, sweets

What’s so funny about taffy? After all, it’s just artificial colors, corn syrup and some other standard candy ingredients. When did taffy go all Jerry Seinfeld on us?

For those still wondering what’s behind the name, I’ll tell you. There are jokes on every wrapper of Laffy Taffy whether you buy it in smaller wrapped cubes or 10-inch Laffy Taffy Ropes. This gimmick has made Laffy Taffy, a Wonka brand, a frontrunner in the taffy market as well as a favorite with kids everywhere. But it kind of feels like a prize that isn’t an actual prize. (Example: The box of cereal that claims to have a prize inside, and it’s really just a Mad Lib printed on the box. Or a Cracker Jack box with a prize that is nothing more than a printed piece of cardboard.) Still, it’s kept the kids on board for a number of years, so it’ll do. Laffy Taffy Ropes come in flavors like apple, banana, blue raspberry, grape, strawberry, mango and cherry. But I am a person of intrigue, so I picked up the two-flavor “mystery swirl�? rope. Would I open it to find cherry-banana? How about raspberry-grape? Only time would tell.

I opened up the wrapper carefully so as to preserve the jokes. (“What is a caterpillar afraid of?�? A DOGerpillar!) Don’t hurt yourself laughing. These are kid-friendly jokes after all. My taffy was most certainly green (apple) and pink (strawberry) swirl, which was so tightly swirled together that there was really no discernible color once you got into the “meat�? of the stick. It was more of a brownish green than anything. But my taffy rope had a soft, chewy texture and bright, fruity flavor like I expected to find. Not like salt water taffy, these fruit chews were more the consistency of a Starburst. Which is a very good thing! I would eat a few of these ropes in one sitting—I guess it’s a good thing that they sell for a quarter each. Affordable for kids and adults, Laffy Taffy is here to stay.

Tags: laffy taffy, taffy candy, Wonka, soft centered candy, sweets

One thing is certain—we all need fresh breath. A roll of Certs in your pocket or bag can make a huge difference when you go to lean in for that big kiss. Or maybe you just want to sweeten up your breath for your colleagues in case they get a little too close. Whatever the reasoning, Certs peppermints are a classic breath freshener manufactured by the Cadbury Schweppes Corporation. They are as commonplace at grocery store checkout aisles as any other mint or gum.

When Certs were introduced in 1956, they were the first breath mint to really spark the American obsession with minty-fresh mouths. Though they don’t contain any peppermint oils, Certs are made with an ingredient called retsyn which gives the white mint its colored flecks. About the circumference of a penny, these mints come in handy rolls that you can take with you anywhere. The brand also released boxes of Certs Cool Mint Drops (shaped like tiny eggs) and Certs Powerful Mints (lots of flavor packed into the smallest mint possible). But the classic roll has remained a staple of convenience stores all over the U.S.

Debate ensued over the validity of Certs as a breath mint, because they don’t actually contain antibacterial ingredients. They’ve been referred to as a mint-flavored candy because the sweet flavor can lighten up your breath without really knocking out the odor-causing bacteria. This issue came to the forefront when Certs applied to be recognized as an oral-hygiene product rather than candy, to change tariffs applied to imports. After a back and forth battle in the courts, Certs triumphed and was recognized as a legitimate breath mint. (Well gee, I could have put one in my mouth and told you that.) Peppermint Certs are the classic flavor, though cinnamon and wintergreen are also popular. At one time, I remember Certs coming out with a cherry flavor, which I was always delighted to find in my mom’s purse. These classic mints are cheap, handy, and refreshing with decades of sales to prove their candy (I mean minty) legacy.

Tags: breath mints, Certs, peppermint, breath freshener, candy mint, sweets

If eccentric jelly beans are your thing, you’ll die for these peculiar little treats from Cap Candy. The complete flavor list includes some normal tastes, like blueberry, grape jelly, and green apple. If you’re a bit more daring, you’ll flip for flavors like grass, black pepper, and buttered popcorn. But only the truly brave (and all 5-to-10 year old boys) will be willing to stomach the grossest jelly bean flavors: booger, bacon, soap, sardine, earthworm, earwax, rotten egg, dirt, and—the kicker—vomit. I found these flavors absolutely disgusting. Still, that’s part of the charm of the candy. And if they intent was to gross me out, Bertie Bott’s Beans certainly did that. I found a surprisingly higher ratio of revolting flavors to enjoyable ones. Grape jelly was nice and fruity. Bacon and earthworm were rubbery and waxy.

This candy is part of the Harry Potter craze that swept across the world like wildfire at the turn of the century. Potter books and accompanying products found themselves in the hands of kids and adults alike as they sought a touch of magic in their everyday lives. Because of their link to the literary world, these jelly beans are sold in specialty, gift, and bookstores in addition to candy-specific shops. Other Harry Potter candies inspired by the book series include: Cockroach Clusters, Fizzing Whizbees (a popping candy), Chocolate Frogs, Jelly Slugs, and Blood Pops. Mmm, mmm good!

Is there something morally wrong with a company that can make kids eat booger- and vomit-flavored jelly beans—the same kids who wouldn’t pick up a piece of broccoli for a hundred bucks? I’d say so. Nevertheless, the clever marketing scheme behind these beans is a lesson for all candy companies: exploit what’s hot. The jelly bean giant, Jelly Belly manufactures the Bertie Bott’s brand in 10- and 20-flavor boxes. With that quality reputation, these beans have become an established treat rather than a mere passing fad in the novelty candy industry. Now, go wash out your mouth with a soap-flavored jelly bean.

Tags: jelly beans, Harry Potter candy, Jelly Belly, chewy candy, sweets

If you’re a kid, or if you like to eat like one, you almost certainly love Bubble Yum. The popular gum has been around since 1975 when it was created by LifeSavers. The bubble gum’s fame spread like wildfire, and it was no surprise that candy giant Hershey’s would take an interest in and subsequently acquire the brand in 2000. It’s a success story any way you look at it, considering the brand had to fend off nasty rumors soon after it arrived on the market. You see, gossip began to spread that Bubble Yum’s recipe included a foul ingredient which allegedly made it so soft: spider eggs. Once the rumor was cleared up, Bubble Yum sales climbed sky high again.

The gum is traditionally sold in soft, square chews in flavors like original pink, blue raspberry, grape, and sour apple. The recipe makes it oh-so-ripe for popping bubbles much superior to those produced by your ordinary stick of gum. But did you know that Bubble Yum is now available in gum balls? It’s true. A movie-theater box style weighing in at 4 ounces and containing just less than 60 pink, original flavor gum balls has arrived on the candy scene. How does this form of gum compare to its predecessor? These gum balls are super soft, with almost no outer candy shell to gnaw through. They actually have a fantastic flavor that last unusually long for pink bubble gum.

The packaging may be this products biggest challenge. Once you open up the movie-theater box, there is no way you are going to eat it all in one sitting. It’s not easy to store for safe keeping, because little pink gum balls come spilling out of the box wherever you try to put it. And because gum is not something most people digest, you’re not going to just sit down and consume the whole box, even with several friends helping out. That’s why gum is sold individually wrapped, or in gum ball machines—it’s just more convenient. That said, Bubble Yum fans will love the pink product in any form.

Tags: Bubble Yum, Bubble gum balls, movie candy, soft candy, sweets