Quick List - My Favourite Candy Packages

 A quick list of some of my favourite candy packages from all of the treats that I've reviewed on candycritic.org.

Blue Orchid For Christmas!

  Fill up someone's stocking with lots and lots of fun comics!

Pick every issue of Blue Orchid (the comic I wrote and drew) right now for that special person on your Christmas list.

You can get everything you need at https://www.bewarethecheese.com/blueorchid/ or on Amazon(or you can also search "blue orchid comics" on Amazon).

Best Gummy Ever?

The fact that there are so many gummy candies out there in the world makes it really hard to pick one that is better than another. I think we could all point out some of the worst gummies in the world, but the best depends greatly on what you like in a gummy candy. I have opinions on the subject, but I think I can also say that I've tasted a lot of gummy candies, so maybe my opinion matters? Probably not.

Check out my latest gummy review, it's in my opinion the best gummy ever made.

A Visit To Siamaya In Chiang Mai

I find more and more countries are making chocolate bars. It used to be that a great deal of the milk and dark chocolate of the world was made in Europe. The cocoa would be grown in a select places based on the fact that cocoa plants needs the perfect climate, but making bars is really possible almost anywhere in the world, however Europe really seemed to dominate this market. Today we’re seeing more and more chocolate from different parts of the world, and best of all these new chocolate companies are taking their chocolate and making it reflect the culture and flavours of the place their being made.

Siamaya (a blend of the words “Siam” and “Maya”) is a perfect example of just such a chocolate maker. Founded in Chiang Mai Thailand, the brand has expanded all over Thailand and can be found in just about every single grocery store in Thailand. Probably the highlight of this brand is the fact that they’re taking good quality chocolate and adding flavours that really make them feel Thai. Their durian chocolate is probably the most notorious, but I would argue one of the best ways to taste durian for the first time. They also have flavours based on Thai tea, spicy Thai food dishes as well as local fruit.

I recently found myself in Chaing Mai and I decided to pay a visit to their factory store. At the time their cafe was being renovated, but their chocolate store was totally open. The store not only serves as a place to buy every flavour of chocolate that they manufacture, but it also gives you the opportunity to watch them make the chocolate while you’re browsing.

One of my favourite details about this particular brand (beyond the tasty chocolate) is their package design. The good thing is if you feel as passionate about their package art as I do, you can pick up postcards, magnets and even t-shirts. I got myself a t-shirt and absolutely love it.

The store also offers some great learning experiences to teach you all about the chocolate process. They have a really great explanation about their chocolate making.

They also offer examples of cocoa at various stages in the process.

Since the chocolate is the highlight of this shop, they really have so many flavours to choose from at this shop. Best of all they offer samples of each and every flavour, so you can pick out your favourites. This is also a great opportunity to sample the durian chocolate to make sure you can handle a whole bar. This factory tour is a great hidden gem in Chaing Mai for any candy lover. The shop itself isn’t that big, but it has everything you might want if you’re into the chocolate process as well as munching on samples.

Junk Fud and You - What Is Candy?

 One of the most common questions I get is to define what is a candy, and the number of answers I give is bigger than the question.

Facts About Snacks

 If you crave facts as much as you crave snacks, then I think I have the perfect book for you.

Check out my awesome series called Snack Facts, a fun look at the history as well as some general information about the snacks you love.

Pick up your copy right now at candycritic.org/snackfacts/buy.htm or on Amazon.

Potato Chip Problem

I'm not sure if this is a trend in all snacks, or just in the regions I've been buying my treats lately, but for some reason there seems to be a great number of potato chip companies that don't use slices of potato anymore. It seems to be the trend to use potato starch or ground potato to make potato snacks. My assumption is that it's cheaper to make, but I really can't figure out why since you have to add a few extra steps to make these fake potato treats. Worst of all many companies imply that you're getting the real (classic) potato chip, only to let you down when you open the bag.

Check out my latest "potato" treat review, I'll warn you that I wasn't that impressed.