Thursday, August 30, 2012

Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers - video review

A really fun one for you today. Let's have a look at Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers!


Very spooky stuff. For more please read the written review. or check out all of our reviews over on the Reviews Page!

Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers review

Today we've got another fun one for you, Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers.


We'll make this short and sweet, because the candy is pretty self explanitory. I'm not overly familiar with Trolli, I think they're German, but I see them in the bag candy section all over the place. These are like the upstart competitors to Haribo. I give them props for that alone. And specifically here while I'm not a huge sour fan I've said it before and I'll say it again (damn the consequences!) gummy worms are better than gummy bears. There. I've said it. Now what???

Ok seriously, looking at this packaging I'm intrigued. I like the viewing window, and calling them Crawlers rather than worms is great. Its kind of creepy. Is this an early Halloween candy? on the shelf? I don't think so, but it would fit in well with that candy.


On the back of the packaging is a little blurb: "Trolli Makes Your Day Sour Brite Crawlers. Gummi worms covered in sweet goodness that makes it look like you're eating a real worm. Don't worry, its so amazingly tasty you won't mind." Well I'm not sure I can take them at their word for that. I kind of think any sane person would know these are not real worms at first glacne. I mean these are day glow! Still overall good packaging.
 

 Let's look at these worms, I mean crawlers properly. They're the kind of gummy worm that has the powdered sugar on the outside mixed with Sour crystals. Sweet and Sour together. Nice. I'm liking the design work too.


Look at those wrinkles, that;d pretty awesome. Its the little tings like this that really make a candy stand out for a kid. Totally cool


Ad look at that stretch. These are the factors that make for a great gummy worm. As long as it tastes ok, and doesn't get too stuck in my teeth I'm sold!


Ok, so biting into it the first impression is not sour. Definitely not sour. These gummi Crawlers only taste sour in the vaguest of more vague ways. These are sugary, gummy, and more about texture. These things are tangy with a great chew, not sticky,  just chewy. They're definitely worth picking up if you like kind of fruity, tangy tastes. These aren't sour though, in fact they're pretty mislabeled, but for a guy like me who's only borderline into sour these are perfect .

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers - 4 / 5

For more on Trolli and to hceck out their awesome mascot Troll dude visit http://www.trolli.com/

Pillsbury Pops

Have you guys seen these Pillsbury Pops? I was in Target today and it was my first time. These seriously look great!


 Even looking at the instructions I'm not totally sure I get it. So is it just a brownie or cake that you shape into a ball and then dip in frosting? I guess that must be it but I'm getting thrown off by the "cocoa confectionery wafers". That's just the frosting I think... I guess this is special frosting that has to be melted just right or something. Maybe its quick drying. You'd probably wan that with these things.

Anyone out there had these? Let me know what you think :)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

New goo

Yet another goo candy has shown up at the local Walgreen's...


This is actually a 3D lollipop with "Oozing Candy Gel". That is pretty amazing. And on top of all that its Apple / Grape flavored! how cool can you get. Sure I'd probably prefer just straight goo to an oozing lollipop form factor, wait strike that, I'd probably prefer neither really, but given the option of one or the other, I'd probably just go for the ooze. All that said, I like the idea behind this one :)

Keep on the lookout for more ooze!

Monday, August 27, 2012

A Scottish Treat

Just a quick post this morning. Does this look particularly Scottish to you?


How did that guy even get on this packaging?!


Reminds me of the Starburst commercial...

Friday, August 24, 2012

Milky Way Simply Caramel - video review

Once again coming at you a little slice of caramel heaven, its the review for Milky Way Simply Caramel.



Good stuff all around. Makes me want another one. For more on this please check out the written review, or all of the reviews here over on the Reviews Page. Thanks.

Milky Way Simply Caramel review

I've got a really great one for you today my friends, lets all enjoy a Milky Way Simply Caramel.


I must be on a caramel kick with Milk Duds a few weeks ago and now this. For starters I should say I've never had this bar before, at least I don't think I have... I really love regular Milky Way Bar so usually pass on by this. Even though I love caramel and chocolate this always seemed like it was missing something, it just looked too plain.

There's a whole convoluted thing about Milky Way bars vs Mars bars, and differences between the two inside and outside the US. I'm not going to get into it here, just watch the video review and I more or less explain it. The thing to note though is that this is a Mars product (which is a good thing) and while I wish you all the best you may find getting this chocolate bar tougher than normal in certain parts of the world (even if they do have regular Milky Way bars).

Onto the review. While I've passed this bar over in the past it's not because I don't like it's look. The Milky Way logo is and always has been solid. I like the green, I like the glow around it. Its kind of space themed which I like, and here in particular its in front of a swirling vortex of caramel. That's pretty cool.  What's on the other side of that black hole of caramel? Maybe some weird mirror universe that's made entirely of caramel??? Just so long as I get a goatee I'll be happy.


The packing gives us a tantalizing preview of what we're about to enjoy.This is "real milk chocolate surrounding nothing but rich delicious caramel". Alright then. This is a candy bar that doesn't muck about. I'm glad we're all on the same page now.


The bar looks to me exactly like a Mars bar (or a Milky Way bar) on the outside. A good hunk of chocolate bar, with very enticing waves of chocolate washing across the bar towards me. I honestly can say that those ridges cresting over the top are some of my favorite things about chocolate bars in general. These guys have it down. The bar smells great and I am excited to dig in. The qestion remains though, will a simple bar of 'just' caramel and chocolate be enough?


Thankfully the answer is right here and it is YES. This is a great experience, a near perfect melding of chocolate and caramel, and it is exactly the kind of candy bar I love.Before I get into the caramel have a look at that picture above. That's a great layer of chocolate there, this is seriously a lot considering some of the bars I've seen here.


Consistency, pull, texture. These are the other hugely important factors when it comes to caramel and even though some of it must be dictated by personal taste, Simply Caramel boasts exactly the kind of caramel I want to get to know. It pulls apart, not right away but its just enough to keep every bite interesting. Maybe more importantly it melts in your mouth. This caramel is great, and the chocolate is great. They balanced everything exactly as it should be as well.

This is a great candy if you haven't had a chance to try it, you should do so as soon as possible!

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Milky Way Simply Caramel - 5 / 5

Milky Way in all of its varieties  Including this one, is a Mars product. For more on Simply Caramel please check out http://www.milkywaybar.com/

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Minor Mascots 1

There are a lot of great breakfast cereal mascots but surprisingly few candy related ones. Although considering the makeup of some of those breakfast cereals they could probably be considered candy. Regardless of that, in straight candy there are a few, just not as many as I think there should be,

Sure we all know the M&M crew, and the Nerds, but there are a few other players in the mascot arena that I thought we'd look at today. These guys are not the superstar mascots you may know, lets have a look at some of these minor mascots.


 Ok, so I suppose technically yes I have heard of Big League. But not Gumballs, Big League was always about shredded bubble gun. Amazing that it was ever sold, the gum was (and is) made to look like chewing tobacco, whihc baseball players loved back in the 70s. I've never seen Big League as a gumball before though. I think the brand has slowly faded since people probably don't even get the reference to chewing tabacco anymore. Maybe this gumball form factor is supposed to get them back in the game...

But check out that mascot. I don't know his name but he looks like what I imagine Dolph Lungren to look like when playing baseball. Speaking of which... why didn't anyone ever do that before? Dolph Lungren in a baseball movie would kill. This guy is all muscle and teeth. God look at those, they're just huge chompers. He probably east bubble gum exclusively, so has built up extra superhuman mouth muscles. And look at the shades. This guy is cool and he knows it. I mean he doesn't even take off his shades to hit the ball. Hey wait a second... is he about to hit the gumball? I just noticed that.Anyhow I love this guy. He's awesome and I want to buy whatever he's selling.


Double Bubble is even more of a classic than Big League Chew, but probably less exciting. Honestly I always thought of them as the poor mans Bazooka Joe. But its a Tootsie product that apparently comes in a variety of flavors. Here though it only comes up as original. At least the bag has 10% more to it. And for FREE no less!


So who is this cool dude on a skateboard, recklessly blowing a humungous bubble? That is Pud. At least I think its Pud. Yup... kind of a dopey name for kind of a dopey kid. I mean he's happy and all, but who could seriously blow bubbles especially huge ones like that while skateboarding. Seriously that is a health hazard. He could easily crash into something!

The one thing I'll give it is that at least this conveys something. At least I know that I'm getting some good gum for bubbles. Oh wait, I suppose "Double Bubble was a tip off there too.If you want to see a few of the Pud comics that they produced back in the day, that came with the gum, here's a link. Not super exciting stuff if you ask me though.I just think Pud is a dud.

I'll have some more Minor Mascots for you another day. Lets leave this for now. Question, would you rather buy gum from Dolph the ballplayer, or "cool kid" Pud the Dud. ? hocked by twins, and sugar crazed kids?

Personally I'd stick with Dolph, that guy is all around awesome.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

M&M's Peanut - video review

Another great candy today. Lets have a look at the classic M&M's Peanut.



So very good :) For more please check out the written review, or see all of the Candy Aisle review on the Reviews Page.

Friday, August 17, 2012

M&M's Peanut review

Here we find ourselves once again; and again today we are looking at a classic, it's time to review M&M's Peanut.


M&Ms are of course the chocolate candy that "melts in your mouth and not in your hand". M&M's Peanut variety finds a peanut covered in chocolate and then coated in a candy shell. I'll often forget about M&M Peanut in my mad dash to try one of the sexier newer flavors like Peanut Butter or Mint, but this yellow bag is a true candy classic, and for good reason. As always lets start with the packaging.

Yellow and brown, classics that stand out on a shelf and prove themselves over the test of time. This packaging is slightly different than you'll usually find for M&Ms peanut since its the larger "sharing size bag", but generally the idea is the same. An oval filled with M&Ms in the far background, and in front bursting out at you almost is the M&Ms logo. it's got a cool font, a great look, and I am impressed.

 I like the yellow M&M mascot seen on the front of this packaging as well. He's of course the dopey one of the M&Ms gang, and here, while smiling, he seems to be a bit concerned about the Sharing Size banner above his head... is that what he's looking at?  He's certainly a fun guy though, and I like his look.

The entire M&M group of characters are really great actually, and yellow has a good fit into that world. He is the Costello to Red's Abbot, really a funny guy.



Ok, onto the actual candy. M&Ms are little roundish balls of candy, Here they come in red, blue, brown, orange, yellow, and green colors. Not that it really maters since they all taste the same, but I like the variety. With Peanut M&Ms since they have an actual peanut inside they are a bit more oval than other varieties. That's not a detraction though, just a note. If you look carefully I think you can usually tell just about any M&M from the others by the size and shape of each piece. That'd be a good test for me to do one day.


Each and every M&M has a little lower case "m" printed on it. I mean we wouldn't want this getting confused with a Skittles would we...


I have to say I am a fan of the outer candy shell. Despite the fact that under a bit of heat you'll soon find the M&M shell coming off a little bit on your fingers, it generally really does live up to the old tag line of only "melting in your mouth and not in your hand". M&Ms are for the most part a clean candy experience, not something you can say for a lot of chocolate.


Ok, lets get into this for reals now because I am a fan of this candy and want to eat. M&M's Peanut feature a totally real, usually whole peanut inside them! It may not sound like a lot, but think about it, that's actually a big deal. This isn't a reconstituted peanut, this isn't some uniform item easily controlled in a manufacturing process, this is a weird, irregularly shaped, actual peanut. And for the most part there's a whole one inside these suckers. I like peanuts so this is right up my alley, and to mix peanuts with chocolate is one of my favorite things. This isn't like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups level of blending, but its still very good. Look at that chocolate wall around the peanut in the picture above. That is a serious layer of chocolate. This isn't just a casual dip... no this is a full enrobing in chocolate. It works very well.

Overall M&M's Peanut taste great. If you like peanuts, and chocolate you'll probably like this. If you haven't had this in awhile why not grab a bag. You'll be happy you did.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates M&M's Peanut - 4 / 5

M&M's are a Mars product. For more on them please check out http://www.mms.com/us/

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Walking the Chinese Candy Aisle

So if you're a regular reader here you'll know I live near a Walgreens. That's what I generally consider my main candy aisle. But I also live pretty much the exact same distance away from a huge Chinese grocery store. It's a great store in a way, but also a huge headache to find anything in. Generally all I buy there are eggs, tofu, and veggies. The veggies there are good, but you can't count on everything always being there.

Every once in a while I walk through the candy and cookie aisle. Sometimes I'll get some Pocky and very occasionally a green tea or mango popsicle, but for the most part I don't get my candy there. Why? well, most of it is just plain foreign to me.


But for the sake of WTCA I've made a trek down the aisle today and am here to show you some of the fine delectables that I found on my walk down this particular candy aisle. But where to begin?


How about with the classics. Wasabi hot peas are amazing. I remember the first time I tried them. It must've been about 10 years ago now. I loved them then, and I love them now. Dried peas are fine and all, but give them that kick from Wasabi and wow! just awesome. While I've got a few more crackers later on in the pics I also had to show this collection first. If you've ever been to a party with even vaguely Chinese themes, or even some restaurants you'll find a mix almost exactly like this. Puffed shrimp, rice crackers, those sticky green ones, and the harder orange crackers, is that a pretzel or what? Who knows what they are, I just know they're great. And that I always need to wash my hands after eating them, very sticky.


Oh Mochi cakes are great. I mean they're mostly great. I tell you, everytime I look at Mochi I really want it, then I'll get a hold of it and I'll be about halfway through when I realize that it just is not made for me. The flour / cake part of the dessert is actually a sweet rice. Really this is closer to a dumpling than anything else, but while the fillings make you think this will be ... juicy, its much more of a "gel-like" texture. kind of slimy. And while you'd think it should taste great, the rice outer white part of the Mochi is actually the worst part. It's really the same way that Mexican rice candy has great appeal but when you get 3 bites in... it just all starts tasting like a paste.


They sure look great though. This peanut one is a perfect example of something I feel like I'd just have to try... even though I'm 95% sure I'll be disappointed.


What's an Ube cake? Sure looks like Mochi to me... maybe not though. Great color.

One of the things you'll always see lots of in Chinese candy aisles. Fun fruit candies.


Shaped like seashells!? Sure why not. And I appreciate that there's an Apple flavor. Why don't Western candies come in Apple flavor? I love apples.


The Jelly or Gummy candy seems to be extremely prevalent in Eastern cultures.Why exactly that is... I have no idea. Hey, I'm no expert anthropologist here, I'm just a guy who likes candy. One of the things to note about these candy bags is that every candy inside will be individually wrapped. I wonder if that's a hygiene thing or more about a culture of sharing...


Here we have what looks to be more apple candies, although the label reads "Hawthorne..." is that Pear or Peach... sure looks like an apple in the pictures. And of course the beloved Preserved Waxberry. God; how many times have I just wished I had a waxberry on hand...


And here we have some sort of a blue mint with a liquid center, and a pretty good looking Coconut Candy. I wonder if the coconut candy is also white on the inside.


And what have we here? Well, the one on the right is a Green Tea hard candy. I've had this before and its alright. Not really my thing but I'm no green tea fanatic like some people. The other yellow bag... I don't know... it could be anything. I like the little angel girl mascot, but its funny since that would never be allowed on a Western product (far too racy)


In a case of the most awesome mascot ever, check out Milkita! That cow is like some kind of superhero!


Gosh that cow is so sporty! I'll bet Milkita candies will make me sporty and fun like the cow too!


I'm a coffee drinker. Are you? So riddle me this... Why don't Westerners have more things flavored like coffee if we love it so much?


What you may ask is this? Well its a seasoned beancurd snack of course... chewy, chewy beancurd.


Ok, technically these we're by the checkout and not in the aisle per say, but Gummy Choco's had to get a mention. Do Westerners even have gummy paired with chocolate anywhere? I can't think of it...


Sometimes you just have that yearning for Pinipig. Ok ok, you got me this is technically a Filippino dessert, but I thought it looked cool, and it was in the candy aisle. I've never had it but Polvoron is apparently like a kind of shortbread. and pinipig as far as I know is a kind of rice... or maybe its a way to prepare a certain kind of rice. Either way I sure like this packaging :)

Speaking of shortbread we're definitely getting into more snacking territory. Chinese grocery stores seem to have a lot more emphasis on cookies and crackers.

 

Adobo is just a great word.I'm pretty sure its also a Filipino flavoring but these kind of little puff oyster crackers are common with Chinese fare as well. Here the presence of the always adorable Keroppi. Something about that frog just always amused me. He really is my favorite Sanrio character. Definitely cooler than Hello Kitty. Why he's hawking crackers is beyond me.


This one is pretty interesting; it looks and feels like a granola bar but is labelled a butter peanut cake. All three things that I like. hmm...



The aisle does have lots of chips in it as well. Here's a sampling of two. What they are exactly is up to interpretation. But I like the little Adobo mascot.


These strawberry koala cookies must be from Australia right? :D



Why do tomato flavored soda crackers look like they'll melt my face off? We'll have to cool off with some yummy snow rice crackers.


One more cracker for you. These Lucky Thin Crackers may not be super exciting, but I really like the accordian graphic, and hey, they're honey dew melon flavored. Thats very cool.



Flute wafers are great, but you have to find the right brand. I love these when they're really filled with something that ends up fruity and creamy. Strawberry sounds good. Just remember, quality on these things varies wildly. Nice mascot on that box; is he supposed to be someone I should know?


What? egg rolls... these lok like more "flute wafers" to me. Maybe they're just made with egg. I highly doubt this would taste like what I know of as an egg roll.

Almost at the end now.


And these are some fine black sesame cookies. They do look cool. Is there any flavor difference in black sesame vs brown sesame seeds? I just can't remember.


And finally we're down to the  Choco-pie. I've had these things twice now, and while they look great on the box the actual execution is a bit dry. The stuffing isn't nearly as thick as it looks in that picture and the outer layer of chocolate is so minimal it makes almost no impact on the flavor. Add that to dry cake and its all a bit of a let down, but they sure look good in the box.

So as you can see there's some pretty fun stuff in any candy aisle. Let me know what you've got in your aisle, and what you think about this trip down the Chinese aisle...More from me next time all. Enjoy the aisle :)