These were a find completely by chance. I had stopped at a place in Hollywood for dinner, and I was surprised to find that the establishment was more of a gourmet store than a restaurant. No matter really. I put in my order and explored their store offerings while I waited. And that’s where I found these.

These certainly have an “old timey” classic candy feel to them. I contribute much of that to the design of the packaging. It feels very classic. I have never heard of the brand before this, so of course I decided to give them a try. I should try things that are simple, like hard candies too. If done right they are extremely tasty!

One thing for sure, this packaging takes no chances. I opened the box to find a tight plastic bag that held the candies which were also individually wrapped. It feels a bit unnecessary to me.

Pretty aren’t they?

The actual hard candy is small and football shaped. I’d say it’s about the size of a Jordan Almond.

The flavor is immediately strong and flavorful. It starts out tasting like orange soda, with strong fake orange flavors and a strong sweetness. Then the flavor mellows and tastes more strange. It loses the intense orange flavor and trades it for something milder. I’m trying to put my finger on it, but it’s like an orange cough drop without the menthol flavor to it. It’s tasty, just strange as to how what a complete 180 this flavor took in terms of its orange flavoring.

These are nice orange candies. They last a long time in your mouth and they aren’t easy to start chewing on (which is something I am guilty of). These feel much more upscale than regular old orange hard candies from Jolly Rancher and the like. I much prefer these to the likes of these. Something about the flavor feels purer to me. A nice teat if you don’t mind paying a little extra for them.

Also check out Cybele’s review of Mandy’s Butterscotch candies.

Rating: Will Eat Again

These was the second bag that was included in my free samples from Farley and Sathers Candy Company. I know that Brach’s produces many kinds of hard candies that span a whole range of flavors, so I was intrigues why they decided to send me one of the most classic hard candies out there: the lemon drop. These a updated though, since they’re also sugar free and use Splenda as the sweetener. I usually tend to avoid sugar free candies since they have a seemingly unavoidable bitterness in the aftertaste, but like any candy, these deserve a try before I pass judgment.

Each lemon drop is individually wrapped, which makes them excellent for candy bowls or quick pick-me-ups in your pocket. They’re about the size of a quarter, shaped like a lemon and have a raised rinds texture on them. They’re very cute.

The flavor starts out immediately fresh, tart and zesty. The flavor is sour of lemon with and smooth sweetness to make it much more bearable. The flavor reminds me of the yellow fruit snacks I used to eat as a kid, which was one of my favorite flavors at the time. I don’t really get any weird flavors from the Splenda which sweetens these drops. I do get hints of that funny bitter taste it has sometimes, but it’s quickly overridden with the nice sour flavors of the lemon. The texture of the candy doesn’t hurt your mouth at all, and it easily becomes smoother as you suck on it.

These are excellent and I plan on keeping a bag in my desk drawer. These are great for those moments when I need something to occupy my taste buds while I’m tackling a particularly annoying assignment. The flavor is fresh and zesty, and something any lemon lover would enjoy.

Rating: Will Eat Again

Links Brach’s Website

I found this extremely classic-looking bag of Bavarian Malt Candies in a German deli a good 15 minute drive from where I live. My friend insisted on take my boyfriend and I to this place in search of good sausages and since I’m a food lover, I accepted her invitation. The deli itself was adorable and the cured meats and sausages they had are delicious. One things I didn’t count on was a German candy selection, and that’s where I saw this bag. An interesting find for sure!

The bag is very 1950’s looking with its white and blue checkered background and simple graphic design. It’s a familiar, yet simple visual presentation. The back of the bag describes the old tradition of these boiled-sugar malt candy, which is a nice touch. Apparently is used to be medicinal (which is where candy evolved from).

The pieces inside are an array of sizes and shapes, but they all have a rich, molasses brown color to them. They remind me of smoother, more well formed rock candy chunks. They smell toasted and sweet.

The flavor is familiar and classic. The taste is sweet with notes of toasted wheat. Every so often there’s a hint of smoke in them. It’s a very simple, yet robust flavor. I am a fan.

This is an excellent example of something simple being extremely tasty. Hopefully I can go back to that deli for more sausages and a few more bags of this nice treat. 

Rating: Will Eat Again

I was immediately attracted to this box of Frosty Nerds when I saw them in the store. So many things appealed to me; the bright colors, the cute nerd creatures wearing hats and scarves, and the word “Frosty” in the name. What made these Nerds “Frosty”? I was really curious and was eager to find out!

The box is the standard movie theater styled box with the punch in pour hole in the top. I pour out a handful and I was greeted by a flood of Christmas colored Nerds.

Festive, yes. But Frosty? I don’t think so. To be honest I was expecting a showy white coating or dusting on the nerds. The three colors each have a different flavor. The red is wild cherry, green is watermelon, and white is punch. So let’s taste!

The red’s wild cherry flavor is surprisingly really good! Normally cherry flavors are too metallic for me, but this was more tart and fruity than cough syrup. Green watermelon is very fake flavored, but the tartness helped take the edge off it. The white punch was very tart at first then opened with a wonderful pineapple flavor. Really tasty.

Overall, I was really impressed with these, even though I haven’t eaten Nerds in a long time. These flavors were festive, unique and tasty! Something I could eat a lot of if left unchecked.

Rating: Will Eat Again

Links Wonka Website

Another Chelsea flavor to review today! Compared to last week’s this one is very colorful and very pink! It’s a flavor from over the summer, Peach Milk! I’ve been seeing this one show up for a few years, so I believe this one is a real favorite over in Japan.

As always the package has a gorgeous pink design, complete with retro flowers. I know I always say it, but, I love it.

The candies once unwrapped are a light beige/pink color. The klink together like dominoes.

The flavor is very creamy, sweet, and with a nice floral peach flavor. The taste of peach is lightly floral, and very juicy with notes of berries, apple and passion fruit. Overall it’s a nice well rounded flavor, not too strong, not too mild, not too sweet. It’s really nice.

Rating:  Will Buy Again

Links Chelsea Website (Japanese)