Candy Critic

Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

One of my biggest peeves as a candy writer are candy companies that claim their treats have health benefits. In some cases candy companies will change their treats so they have health benefits, and that often ruins the enjoyment of eating the treat. Other times candy companies will make silly claims and lead people to believe that they can eat as much junk food as they want. In both of these cases it's never good, you should know that when you eat junk food and candy that you also have fill up on nutritious foods as well. That's why I love this ad on the side of an ice cream truck, it pulls no punches and tells me that I'm about to taste something really great, but that I should also eat my vegetables first.

I found this ad here.

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We Eat More Gummies Than Ever This Week in Our Gummy Review-a-Thon!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I usually have trouble writing gummy reviews, because frankly most gummies, taste and texture wise, are pretty much the same. I end up often writing about how the shape was pleasing, and or difficult to eat. However the folks at sugarfina.com have changed my mind a little. They sent me a package full of gummies that are each very different in taste and texture. I can't say I liked them all, but I was happy to sample them.

Click here to read today's spicy gummy review.

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Old Candy Critic Articles - Stick it to the man

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I've decided to take down several old articles from the candycritic.org and re-post them here on the Candy Critic blog. This week I'm posting an article I wrote with some candy lessons I had just learned. Since then I've learned a few more.

What's the appeal of eating something on a stick? What makes something on a stick better than just eating it? Who thought stick = fun? You could look at the history of food to find out that sticks and food have been around forever. As long as man has been cooking, food sticks have been an important part of life. The problem I have with the idea of putting food on sticks comes from the candy world.

Why in the world do so many candies come on sticks? I think the only candy that has to be on a stick is a Popsicle. Why might you ask does the frozen treat deserve to be on a stick? Go into your freezer, put an ice cube in your mouth and don't take it out. Can't do it can you. You have to pull cold things out of your mouth or it hurts.

Lollipops are okay with me, but not because I think the stick are necessary. If you think about it the idea of taking a candy out of your mouth half way through eating it is kind of gross. Try spitting out your chewing gum after a few minutes, hold it, and then put it back in your mouth, yuck. The lollipop was originally huge and impossible to stick in your mouth in one shot. So you can understand why a stick might help you keep your fingers clean. You can still find huge lollipops today, but for the most part lollipops fit comfortably in your mouth whole, so the basic principle doesn’t really make sense.

The problem I have comes from the idea of putting things like chocolate, marshmallows, and gummies on sticks. Chocolate and marshmallows on a stick has been around for a while, but the gummy thing has become a new and very strange trend. Whenever I eat a gummy on a stick, all it does is get all gooey and stringy, and if they decorate it little bits of icing fall and sprinkles fall all over the place. The chocolate on a stick is very often cheap chocolate, I'm not saying it's all cheap but for the most part it is. The other problem is that chocolate cracks and when you’re trying to eat it on a stick, it falls all over the place.

Let's face it; just putting something on a stick is not really that creative an idea. If you need the stick by all means use one, but if you’re doing it because you think it's clever to put something new on a stick, you’re wrong. Try something else, we as candy consumers are finished with the stick thing, I want something new and fun not something pointy and long.

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Another Gummy Review in Our Gummy Review-A-Thon

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I would have to say that the popularization of gummies in the 1980's might be the reason I'm writing this blog (and these reviews) right now. When I was a little kid, gummies hit the market with a huge bang, every kid wanted a bag of gummy bears. Gummies were the catalyst towards a time in candy when strange and gross treats started to really bloom. This meant that the world was being creative with the textures and flavours of candy available. At that very time, I started to really gain a respect for candy, I loved all of the candy variety that was around me. And now look at me, I'm writing a blog, traveling the world, and tasting flavours I could only imagine. Thanks gummies, you made my life pretty cool. And thanks sugarfina.com for reminding me how cool gummies actually still are.

Click here to read the latest gummy review.

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Ich Bin Ein Candy Kritiker

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

The great thing about visiting any German city is you know you're going to eat well. If I ask you what Germany was famous for in food, you might have a hard time picking just one thing. I'm sure many of you reading this site would probably say chocolate is the most important thing to try here in Germany, and you might be right. But there is so much good food in Germany worth sampling, and a lot of classic treats you may not have thought about.

Since I've visited Germany before, and I've tasted a lot of German chocolate in my life, I was actually keen to start my tasting adventure with something a little more classically German. Soft pretzels are the kind of thing you may not think about first when you're planning a trip to Germany, but once you get there you're regularly reminded that these folks really know how to twist up their bread. I got my first soft pretzel from a guy on a bike in the middle of a park. It seemed right that I start this adventure off with a little street food.

Meal wise, I didn't want to leave Berlin without trying one of their "world famous" Curry Wursts. The name might sound horrible, but the food itself isn't bad at all. You're basically treated to a fried sausage/hot dog, covered in a curry ketchup. In some cases a little extra curry powder is sprinkled on top as well. Curry and sausage are not really two flavours you think of as going together, but it works really well. I've heard horror stories from people telling me that they bought some really bad Curry Wurst in the past, but look around for a decent restaurant and give it a try.

Most people think that JFK called himself a donut when he made his famous speech at the Berlin Wall. From what I understand the people of Germany understood that he wasn't calling himself a donut, but I do know why this rumour has come up. In Berlin they have a donut they call a Berliner, but it's just named after the region, and that's all. It's like me saying "I love New York", and thinking that I must be talking about New York style cheesecake. The Berliner itself is pretty much a standard powder coated jelly donut, but it was worth it for the experience.

While sampling the many fine foods of Berlin, I came across two amazing surprises about this city. First of all, Germans love cakes. I'm sure that wherever you live, you're probably saying that you love cake too. But in Germany, and in particular Berlin, every restaurant, every street festival, and every bakery has an amazing selection of cakes to choose from. Frankly any country would love cakes too if they had such a great selection.

The other surprise that I came across in Berlin was something called Spargel. As it turns out I was visiting Berlin during Spargel season. Spargel is basically giant stalks of white asparagus. When this stuff is in season, people go nuts over it, and I didn't want to be left out. On this trip I took every opportunity to sample this tasty vegetable in as many ways as I could. All I can tell you is my pee was pretty stinky for days after we left.

I guess I couldn't visit Germany without trying a little bit of chocolate, in fact I don't think I could visit Germany without trying a whole lot of chocolate. There are plenty of great places all over Berlin to sample chocolate, shops, stores, and even a museum (I'll have more about that late), full of sweet chocolate heaven. While I'd argue that German chocolate is the best in the world, it's certainly in my top 5 places to get the stuff.

These are just a few highlights of my fun trip to Berlin, a place I would highly recommend to any foodie with a sweet tooth. I have a few more photos from this trip posted on our Facebook page as well.

Part 2 Of Our Gummy Review-A-Thon

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

One of the keys to the gummy rise to candy greatness is the range of shapes it can take on. For a while I tried to collect photos of every single shape of gummy that I ever came across, but it was too big a task. Every time I step into a candy shop I discover a new shape, some are strange, some are pretty boring. This week's review looks at how shape is really becoming a crutch of gummy producers, and it seems like they may be missing the boat with flavour range.

Again, today's review was provided to us from our great friends at sugarfina.com.

Click here to read the review.

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Mark Gets Some Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Our friend, and regular follower Mark, mentioned to me that he'd never tried Turkis (or Greek) delight before. I couldn't let this stand, and promptly sent him a package in the mail. Mark offered a great insight into his candy experience, and agreed to let us share his tale:

I knew the mail lady was here by the exclamation, "Oh yuck! you got a bird".
Instantly the thought crossed my mind," the cats are at it again, fearless hunters of birds, snakes, squirrels, groundhogs, and the like!

I spoke with our mail carrier and we discussed the cats and their inclination to hunt and drag their catch to our doorstep.

Turning around I spied our mailbox, typical mail? Nope, not today!

I saw a package that was very neutral to natural in color.

"What is this?" I think.

I read the senders name and see a familiar C. Stewart.

Now I am excited! What could it be? I think.

Very intrigued with the surprise that is hidden between the layers of envelope. I remember a conversation about candy and junk food, and I realize; this could be the famed and hard to find Turkish delight we spoke about!

After trying to open the bulky envelope with my bare hands, I come to the realization that I require the help of my trusty scissors!

I cut through one layer of envelope to be greeted with a second durable delivery device!

y anticipation is growing as I snip, snip, snip to find concealed a bar of one of my favorite treats, sesame seed candy! Oh wow! My grin proceeds to travel laterally yet slightly longitudinally at the ends. I pull out a second container the reads" Greek Traditional Delight; Lokoum with Rose" Now I am feeling like, well, a kid in a candy store.

I am perplexed, which should I open first, the old favorite or the never before experienced Lokoum?

Decisions, decisions!

I break down and realize, I can only open one at a time, which should it be?

I decide based on kid logic that I shall open the old favorite first and while enjoying it, I will open the second.

I delicately tear open the sesame candy bar and pause, what would a Candy Critic likely do at this point. I look over the slightly thin bar noticing what looks to be a purposeful mixing of light beige, oak, flesh colored sesame seeds.

I take a deep inhalation of the candy and savor the slightly smokey, slightly vanilla, toasted oat like smell.

It is a very pleasant fragrance. I can wait no longer and I take a bite.

The flavor is a wonderful mix of toasted sesame, toasted oats (even though I know there are none in the candy) and a very mild and not over sweet glucose product and the tell tale slight bitterness of sesame in it's varied stages of toasting.

Ah yes, a wonderful and honestly, not so typically sweet, treat from a world away.

Now that being said, I want to find out what this Turkish/Greek delight thing is all about. I stop and look over the package and ingredients. Not only is this Turkish/Greek delight, it is rose flavored!

My family and friends know that I have a unique palate. I enjoy treats that are not your everyday run of the mill snack/junk food. I enjoy a floral breath mint (that contains no mint or minty flavor at all) called C. Howard's Violet mints.

I open the package and am greeted by the sight of a clear tray the size of a compact disc case, with four chambers that are about an inch in depth.

I remove the plastic wrap and cautiously smell the treat, caution solely based on the fact that whatever lies in the recesses of this package is covered with a fine heaping of powdered sugar and should my wife see me with white powder on my nasal area, I believe she would suspect me of shady behavior!

Picking up one of the powder white treats the size of a half melted ice cube, I slightly squeeze to check firmness. This treat is pretty durable even for it's small size.

With anticipation I take a bite of the treat and instantly, as if someone painted my palette with flowers, the taste of rose fills my olfactory senses. There is no mistaking the rose, it is vibrant yet soft in aroma, a delightful edible incense that is very reminiscent of the many roses that I experienced as a child at my grandmother's, where roses seemed to be a frequent sight and smell.

I wonder a question in my mind as I enjoy a second rose delight, "I wonder if the people who eat this on a regular basis use a tapping method to remove the powdered sugar", which is in no short supply.

The very fact that this package arrived with a bit of disgust from the mail lady is an ironic thing.

"Oh yuck a bird" turned into "Awesome Friday Afternoon"

Mark

This Week In Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Well I'm back, I had a few days between my Berlin adventure and Cretan fun times, but now I'm back for a while. While both of these places are very different, from a food standpoint, they both had some of the greatest food I've ever eaten. Most importantly both of them had some really good sweet treats that you must try. This week I'll be posting all about the Berlin portion of my trip, including a special piece about my visit to the Ritter Sport museum. Next week I'll post about some of the great treats I found on Crete, I can tell you now that it will include a lot of dairy products.

Also, all this week we're celebrating with a Gummy Review-A-Thon, brought to us by our lovely friends at sugarfina.com. They sent us a great collection of high class gummies to sample, and every day this week we'll be posting a new review to celebrate. This morning we posted our first of many chewy fun reviews.

Last week a package I sent to our good friend Mark finally made it to him. It was full of Greek delights, and Mark wrote a brilliant piece about getting these treats, he even included his own reviews. See, if you befriend a Candy Critic, free candy might come in the mail. I don't have that many contest (but I do have a few) instead I'd rather deal on a customer appreciation angle.

So now I'm back to full strength, and working on a whole bunch of new ideas.

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It's Time For Another Review-A-Thon, This Time With Gummies

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

All this week we're going to be sampling a great collection of gummy treats, brought to us from our good friends at sugarfina.com. They told us that they have one of the most original collections of gummy treats in the world, we told them to prove it, they did. So sit back, and enjoy some fun gummy reviews. Our first review might seem like a basic gummy bear review, but it's not. Why not mix your favorite drink with your favorite gummy, what could possibly go wrong.

Click here to read our Champagne gummy bear review.

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Friday Candy Video

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

This commercial for Jello Pudding staring Bill Cosby is more far fetched than many of the silly impersonations and parody sketches I've seen done of Bill Cosby selling Jelly Pudding. I liked Bill Cosby when he was weird, I think he should be weird more often. I also think I should probably make myself a batch of chocolate Jello pudding as well.

Click here to see a few more of these classic commercials.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Now this is just downright disturbing. I know babies are supposed to be cute and all, but the idea of a little baby sitting in the cocoa pod were my chocolate comes from is just gross. I know what babies do, and I don't want a little baby doing it in my cocoa pod. Chocolate already has enough problems being associated with poop, this isn't helping at all.

I found this ad here.

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Old Candy Critic Articles - What I've learned

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I've decided to take down several old articles from the candycritic.org and re-post them here on the Candy Critic blog. This week I'm posting an article I wrote with some candy lessons I had just learned. Since then I've learned a few more.

When I started a website all about reviewing candy, I really didn't think about what I would learn putting this together. I've learned a little about chemistry, a little about geography, and yes even a little about love, but there is so much more that I've picked up putting this page together for so many years. Much of what I learn, I pass onto you. There's no point in letting this information haunt me, and me alone. I feel the need to spread the word that is candy, and torment you with more knowledge than you could ever imagine on the subject. Sometimes I notice little things that really aren't that interesting enough to warrant an article, but I need to fill space so here are some facts I want to share:

1) A good idea to some is not necessarily a good idea.

2) The history of candy is big, and when I say big, I mean big. I'm reading and researching the general history of candy both for my own interest and to better set up the site, and the vastness of the subject is insane.

3) I have never seen a candy that starts with the letter 'U'. (Update, I’ve now tasted 3)

4) The reason why so many candies are not available in many areas has more to do with labels, than ingredients. One of the most common questions I get is "why some candy can't be found in certain areas". Most people think it has to do with ingredients but for the most part it’s a problem with labelling laws.

5) My grammar and geography skills, although improving, are still pretty bad. So if you see something wrong on the site, please feel free to share it with me.

6) People think I'm an overweight recluse. I don't understand this idea, I put my picture up all over the site, and you can see that I’m not that chubby.

Well I'm still learning and growing, and even loving. So every day I'll keep my eye open for new and fun candy facts and treats so you can continue to read all about the junk I eat.

Candy Art - I Can't Stop Biting My Nails!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I have a secret, when I was younger, I used to make money decorating people's nails. It was a fun way for me to use my airbrush, and make a few bucks on the side.

So when I see this awesome candy themed nail art, I have a real appreciation of what it takes to do it.

Click here to check out some more great nail art.

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This Week In Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

From Berlin to an Island. That's how I move these days, from the chill of the German air, to the hot and sweaty-ness of a Greek Island. As always I'm writing this before I've actually left, so I'm not sure if I've been posting all about this epic adventure to the island of Crete. I can tell you that I'm most likely having a few of the island's specialty treats, unfortunately at this point I'm not really sure what they are.

While on this trip I'm hoping to not only be inspired to write a few blog posts and even a few reviews but also to work on writing a few magazine type articles as well.

Since I am away again this weekend, I'm not putting up a new review till later in the week, when I get back. I may also have to forgo the Candy News this week, however if I come across an article or two while on my travels, and I have internet, I'll post them to our Twitter Page.

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Friday Candy Video

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

This could be the most terrifying advertisement I've ever seen in my entire life. I love Kinder Eggs, but after seeing this commercial I'm a little afraid to ever taste one again.

Classic/Creative Candy Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Whenever I visit a Greek island, I always think about ice cream. I think this combination of Greek frozen yogurt, and Ben and Jerry's might work. I'm not really sure about the Peanut Butter and Bananas though. Greece didn't really get into banana's until the last 20 or so years, and most Greeks I know hate peanut butter. I think this would have worked better with a walnut and honey mixture instead.

I found this ad here.

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Stuff I Want To Try

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Ruffles Tangy Honey Mustard Chips - Frito-Lay - I'm developing a real taste for mustard lately. - Click here to learn more about this treat.

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Old Candy Critic Articles - Gum-o-fun Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I've decided to take down several old articles from the candycritic.org and re-post them here on the Candy Critic blog. This week I'm posting the second part of an article all about some of the prizes that come with your gum. Last week I posted the first part with a few other gums that I sampled.

So you got yourself a nickel? Well not only are you ready to enjoy a neat gum chewing treat but you may enjoy a little entertainment too. Since you only seem to have one nickel and you can only get one of these treats, the folks at Candy Critic want to help you pick out what could be the most important decision of the next five minutes. We're going to open a new door into a world of bubble blowing fun. You've trusted us with your candy choices, now it's time to take a look at entertainment too. So let's look at which one of these gums is both entertaining and tasty.

Looney Tunes

The Gum

Since we all know that there is nothing natural in these gums, at least they should make them interesting. The gum was white and the taste was kind of flavourless. It tasted like.., it didn’t have any taste at all.

Chew Time : 2:52

The Prize

I love the Looney Tunes characters and the representation in this sticker ain't too shabby. This prize is keeper I’m going to stick it to my sketchbook right now.

Spice Girls

I'm not really sure when the flavour ended with this gum, only because it really didn't start. This gum had the strangest flavour and I didn’t really like it that much. It could have been that my gum was a little stale, or just that the gum had no flavour at all. It would have been cool if they decided to give their gum some spice instead of just being bland.

Chew Time : 4:07

The Prize

Being a guy in my late 20s (now late 30s), you might think that the idea of having a Spice Girls Sticker would make me feel silly. I have to admit; I'm going to stick this on my notebook right now. Gotta love the Spice Girls.

WCW Gum

The Gum

Stale, this gum is so stale. The WCW no longer exists, so if you find this gum, it will be stale. It does however taste kind of strawberry-like but the strawberry flavour is a little too fake for my liking.

Chew Time : 4:23

The Prize

Dated, but fun is the best way to describe this sticker. I love getting merchandise from wrestlers that have either passed their prime, or that no one remembers. That's what makes this prize kind of neat, but it may not be for everyone.

Candy Art - I'm a Sucker for a Good Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I like realism in candy. I like the idea of eating a gummy world that actually looks like a worm. I like the idea of chewing on a piece of gum that actually looks like a silver bullet.

However, this might be the first time I've ever been creeped out at the idea of eating a candy that looks real. It's not that I object to eating something that looks like an eyeball, it's the fact that these eyes are particularly creepy.

Click here to read more about these treats that look back.

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This Week In Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

As you read this I'm probably in Berlin eating some kind of very scary grey sausage filled with specs of blue, and covered with sauerkraut To some this vision is terrifying, to me it's mouth watering. The first time I ever visited Germany I decided that I would at least once try a frightening sausage. What I tasted was so fantastic, I continue to seek out the most vile looking wieners whenever I travel to this country.

Candy wise, since I'm writing this in advance, I can only assume I'm eating a lot of chocolate. I'm also hoping that I've discovered a few other treats as well. If I have internet, then I've probably posted a few snapshots of my adventure either on our many social media sites, or maybe even a few posts here on this blog.

Since I am away, I'm sure you can imagine that I'm not putting up a new review till later in the week, when I get back. I may also have to forgo the Candy News this week, however if I come across an article or two while on my travels, and I have internet, I'll post them to our Twitter Page.

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Why do I like flying Swiss Air?

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:58:00 +0000

I think that the answer is obvious.

Happy Hotdog Day!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:44:00 +0000

I know that I publish many fun holidays on this blog, many of which you probably think are made up. I can tell you that many probably are, but not by me. That is except hotdog day. Many years ago my friend Kelly and I decided to spend an entire day eating nothing but hotdogs. We called it hotdog day, and since then I've spent every May 5th eating hotdogs.

Fortunately being in Berlin for hotdog day makes it really easy. Today for lunch I enjoyed a big plate of curry wurst, and a few bites of Allison's braught wurst. Hotdog day was never so tasty.

Paging Dr. Pepper...

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Sat, 04 May 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Of all of the soft drinks, all over the world Dr. Pepper has to have the most sporadic distribution of them all. I never know when I'm going to find this stuff when I'm traveling. I'm told that even in the USA you never know which state might have Dr. Pepper and which won't.

It's been a few years since I've visited a place that carries it, but fortunately for me, Subway seems to carry it in Berlin (and maybe all of Germany).

German Requirement

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Sat, 04 May 2013 17:57:00 +0000

I believe I would have to quite the Candy Critic business if I didn't pick up a Kinder Egg while visiting Germany. I still don't understand what you Americans fear of these eggs. Tasty chocolate and a fun prize is well worth the very low choking hazard.

I Ated a Giant Pretzel.

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Stewart) — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:40:00 +0000

It was the most German treat I've ever had.