Category Archives: Novelty Candy

Certs Roll Peppermint

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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.

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Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans

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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.

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Bubble Yum Bubble Gum Balls

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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.

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King Leo Strawberry & Cream Puffs

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 Available in a 7-ounce bag or a 2-pound tub, King Leo’s strawberries and cream puffs are classified as one of King Leo’s “soft candies.??? But they are not actually soft, nor are they chewy. The consistency is like a hardened ball of tightly wound cotton candy, or the pastel after-dinner mints that I so often savor. I’d call them semi-soft, based on the premise that you are able to chew through without too much work, but not effortlessly. In fact, naming it a “puff??? is inherently misleading. But what is not misleading is the creamy, fruity taste. The flavor of each individually wrapped pink-and-white-striped candy is a tangy yet smooth strawberry, also reminiscent of cotton candy spun into strawberry sugary goodness. I’m a huge fan.

Since 1901, King Leo has been cranking out the sugary goods, like their world-famous peppermint stick (read: huge candy cane in stick form). Since they introduced other treats like soft candies in flavors like mint, key lime, and strawberries and cream, the company has established a fan base among young and old alike. They are currently headquartered in Julian, California and continue to churn out new candy inventions (like their award-winning peppermint bark, drinking chocolate, and chocolate-dipped peppermint sticks) to round out the collection. Though they are a low-key corporate entity, they’ve stood their ground and maintained operations for over a century. What an accomplishment in a world of candy giants.

Refreshing as King Leo’s strawberries and cream puffs are, I must complain that these candies go too fast. With the great flavor, I wish it lasted a little longer like a hard candy or a sucker would. But, perhaps that’s why these candy puffs are available in 2-pound tubs! Buy some of these for your office candy jar, and you’ll have returning grazers. Stash them in your car, and you’ll enjoy the drive time much more. Whatever you do, try these candies—don’t let your taste buds miss out. They are strawlicious.

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Mallow Burger Giant Size

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The Big Mac of the candy counter, Megamallows Big Burger is a sight to behold. A funny-looking, puffed-up hamburger, this candy is decked out with a meat patty, bun (complete with icing sesame seeds), and “cheese???—all made of strawberry-flavored marshmallow. It’s not just a candy. It’s an eating experience that you won’t soon forget. I’m talking about the peculiarity of biting into a hamburger and tasting strawberry candy. It’s an odd feeling, but I’d have to say that I quite enjoyed it. And perhaps that’s why the makers, San Diego–based Kandy Kastle Inc., call it the “All American Fun Burger.???

With a somewhat gummy consistency, the term marshmallow may seem misleading. It’s really more of a gummy-mallow hybrid. At a few inches tall, you can eat this just like a real hamburger, or tear apart the bun, cheese, and meat patty layers if you wish. But if you do decide to save some for later, better wrap it back up for freshness. (I used a mini chip clip to save mine for later.) At just over four ounces, the whole thing is about the size of a fist, probably not to be consumed in one sitting. Unlike real hamburgers, this treat is fat free, low in sodium, and cholesterol free. (Now if only they’d make real burgers and fries that way…)

If you are right now asking yourself, “Why would I want a marshmallow to look like a hamburger????—you are in good company. For years, I’ve been trying to figure out why bubble gum comes in CD cases, band-aid tins, fake cell phones, and makeup compacts. The reason: it’s fun and kids will buy it, especially when you play up the technology angle like candy cell phones (and, in the ‘90s, pagers). Around the holidays, the giant Mallow Burger makes a great basket or stocking stuffer. So stock up and join the fast food candy revolution. Would you like to Super Size that?

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Simon’s Stars & Stripes Mints

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A hard peppermint candy wrapped in red-and-white stripes with blue-and-starred twist ties, this mint is sure of one thing: It is proud to be American-made. Although the mint itself is plain white, the wrapper gives is a nationalistic feel from the time you see it in a candy dish until the moment you unwrap it and read “Simon Candy Co. Made in USA??? proudly displayed. The mint tastes refreshing, of course. It’s a mild peppermint that doesn’t blow you away or set your mouth on fire, but brings freshness like you’ve recently brushed your teeth at those times when you can’t. I don’t believe these mints have a whole lot on Brach’s more popular Star Brites mints—in fact, they are quite similar. But if you happen to be allergic to red dye, Simon’s Stars & Stripes mints would be the obvious better choice.

Patriotic from head to toe, the mint’s manufacturer is Simon Candy based out of the Amish hills of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. They’ve been around since 1949 when the company introduced its line of decorative chocolates, only to switch to hard candies years later. Any candy company that has been around for several decades can testify that sometimes you need to test the waters and see what works. And Simon Candy has done just that with their timeless hard candies like sour balls, lemon drops, and root beer barrels. They also produce sugar-free lollipops and hard candies as well as fun holiday treats like Santa’s “Coal Candy.??? Their tropical treasures hard candies are flavored like non-alcoholic cocktail drinks, and they have broken into the organic food market with their College Farm line of hard candies. They were actually the first U.S. manufacturer to produce certified organic hard candies.

Whether or not you care to jump on the organic candy bandwagon, Stars & Stripes mints are for every American. Show some patriotic spirit and buy a bag—or snag some from your friend’s candy dish. Let’s face it—everybody needs a mint sometimes.

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Sugar Free People Pops

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With a name like Golden Apples Candy Company, it has to be good—and good for you. Yes, if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this all-natural, sugar-free candy company provides the goods to keep you healthy and your tastes buds happy. Based in Southport, Connecticut, the Golden Apples Candy Company is truly innovative, producing good-for-you candy that parents would not hesitate to buy for their young ones. People Pops (lollipops) and People Drops (hard candies) contain no artificial ingredients and are sweetened with all natural malitol syrup. Health-concerned consumers will appreciate that these candies have no artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet. They are also gluten- and dairy-free, for consumers with dietary restrictions. People Pops come in fun flavors, too. Lickin’ Lemon, Pink Grapefruit, Tangy Citrus Parfait, Hot ‘n Spicy Cinnamon, and Frosty Chocolate Mint are a few varieties.

Unlike the single-flavor bags of People Drops, People Pops come in assorted flavors with six suckers in a pack. My bag contained Give Me Grape, Pineapple, Banana, Orange Zip, Very Very Cherry, and Double Chocolate Fudge. Of course I opened the chocolate lollipop first. The flavor was mildly sweet, like hot chocolate made with too much water and not enough powdered drink mix. But I liked it. And the Orange Zip really did have that extra little zing. These lollipops are rectangular and almost too big for my mouth, but I easily managed. This is definitely the best-tasting sugar free candy I’ve ever had, and at only 28 calories per lollipop. I’m anxious now to try some of Golden Apple’s other products, like the 7 Calorie Candy, for dieters. And I’m equally intrigued by their Mother Nature’s Health Pops, with special formulas aimed to remedy conditions such as the common cold, nicotine withdrawal, seasonal allergies, stress, anxiety, and PMS. If a candy could cure those conditions, I have a feeling the world would be a much brighter place. But for now, People Pops will help keep candy consumers healthier and happier one sucker at a time.

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Baskin Robbins Pralines & Cream Hard Candy

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Ice cream lovers may not be able to get their fix in any form other than a delicious, icy cold hand-dipped cone. But who can resist ice cream flavored candy? That’s precisely why Baskin Robbins came up with its Smooth & Creamy Hard Candies, available in flavors like Fruit Medley, Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Pralines ‘n Cream. A few sugar-free varieties are also for sale at grocery stores and drug stores nationwide. And are they ever good.

The Pralines ‘ n Cream candies come in a 6-ounce bag with individually wrapped candies inside. The caramel-colored wrapper with the Baskin Robbins logo in royal blue and pink tempts the taste buds before you even unwrap a piece. Each hard candy is reminiscent of a flattened root beer barrel candy, with a 31 logo imprinted on the side. Since not everyone goes nuts for nut-inspired flavors, you may avoid these sweets altogether. In case you don’t know, the word praline refers to a dessert made from nuts and sugared syrup—this can refer to pecans, almonds or hazelnuts, depending on what region of the world you’re in. Sometimes these are covered in chocolate as well. But as far as Baskin Robbins is concerned, Pralines ‘n Cream means smooth, creamy, rich, unbelievable taste in a hard candy form that lasts and lasts. These taste a bit like Werther’s Original candies, but nuttier. A bit bigger, too, which means they last just a hair longer. Does it give the same sensation as licking a perfectly dipped ice cream cone on a hot summer day? No. But you can trick your appetite for now, and reward it later with real ice cream. Because they are all individually wrapped, this is a great hard candy to throw in your pocket or purse and save for later in the day. Great candy dish candy, too. The smooth & creamy label is not misleading in the least—these candies are a joy for the taste buds.

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Lifesavers Variety Bag

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Move over, five-flavor rolls. Same to you, Pep-O-Mint. The new guys are in town. A Lifesavers variety bag (about 112 pieces per pound) boasts 13 fruit flavors of those little hard candies. All individually wrapped in clear plastic, the candies come in four of the five traditional flavors: cherry, pineapple, orange, and lemon (no lime in this bag). But tropically inspired tastes are also in this variety pack, including green apple, grape, watermelon, fruit punch, pina colada, tangerine, banana, mango melon, and raspberry. These doughnut-shaped candies are common fare in doctor’s office candy bowls, but are also great to keep stashed anywhere you like.

The first new flavor I tried was mango melon. It has a bright yet creamy flavor, almost like the real fruit and the color of cantaloupe. A raspberry fan in any form, I also loved that one. And you can’t go wrong with the classics, like cherry and orange. In fact, in 2003, when Lifesavers opened up the five-flavor roll’s fate to a public vote, three of the mainstays were temporarily replaced by blackberry, raspberry and watermelon, though blackberry was quickly replaced by orange. Notice that blackberry, a failed attempt, didn’t even make it in the 13-flavor bag.

The great thing about this variety bag is that you have 13 different choices—even if you don’t like a flavor or two, someone else will eventually come along and eat them. It’s because Lifesavers are perfect for when you just want to pop something in and go. Perfect for the mom on the go, the kid on the school bus (when gum is not allowed), and the candy lover in you. They don’t melt, making them a great “summer candy.?? And that’s why Lifesavers have been around for nearly a century. Currently owned by the Wrigley company, these circular candies are instantly recognizable and classic in appeal. Luckily for us, the company is innovating for the future, by producing what people want—more options (enter Lifesaver Gummies and Fruit ‘Splosions), more flavors (including sours, sorbets, and mints), and many sizes. With so many options as well as interactive contests where consumers get to decide which candy flavors will be next on the radar, Lifesavers have evolved. And yet the somehow retain all the nostalgia from your childhood and mine. Brilliant.

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Mamba

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With all the flair of a Latin dance, a Mamba bar is an often-overlooked candy. You may have seen it in the grocery store aisle, and passed it up every time for a pack of Starburst fruit chews. Mamba is a product of Storck candy company, that makers of Riesen and Werther’s Original. Storck introduced the Mamba bar in Germany in 1953 to complement their product line and offer an affordable, fruity candy that is individually wrapped and meant to be shared.

I opened the fruit-covered wrapper to discover three separate wrapped packets: one each of orange, strawberry, and raspberry. Each of these packets has six fruit chews of the same flavor inside. To do the math, that’s 18 individually wrapped fruit chews in all—and loads of excess wrapping paper. Ladies, clean out your purses because you’ll need room for all these wrappers. I anxiously unwrapped the raspberry chew first, and popped it in to discover a slightly waxy taste that is missing that special fruity “oomph.?? It’s about the same size as a Starburst fruit chew, but rectangular rather than square. Honestly, I would never pick a Mamba over a Starburst based on this taste test. But I was pleasantly surprised to try the orange fruit chew. The consistency is a bit tougher than a Starburst, but wow—the flavor tastes like fresh orange juice, and there isn’t a hint of the waxy flavor I tasted in the raspberry. Strawberry wasn’t as refreshing. It tastes a bit fake, like the powder you would use to mix up a strawberry protein shake. But wait. Isn’t there also a lemon on the outer wrapper. Indeed there is, but I didn’t score a pack. With a Mamba bar, you get a selection of three flavors from raspberry, orange, strawberry, and lemon. If you want to be sure to get all four flavors, you’re better off buying an assorted bag.

Although Storck seems to market Mamba to kids, adults will also enjoy these fruit chews. They may not all be as tasty as the competitors fruit candies, but they are not a bad substitute.

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