Fake Chocolate Problem

One of the problems I have on candycritic.org is fake chocolate. More specifically I'm not really sure what the line is between fake and real chocolate. chocolate itself isn't technically an ingredient, it's a milk/sugar treat that's made with cocoa. The amount of cocoa can vary in chocolate creating different kinds of chocolate. Sometimes you take an entire portion of the cocoa bean out of the mix and it's still chocolate. By that definition, as long as there's some portion of a treat that contains even a small amount of cocoa, than it can be called chocolate. Now I know there are some countries where the amount of cocoa matters, but I would guess that most of the world does not have such regulations. Then we add to the mix the idea that some candies are chocolate flavoured, and may not contain any cocoa at all. It's all very complicated.

Check out my latest "chocolate" review.

Dessert Themed Candy

You would think that making a dessert themed candy would be easy. Some people even think that desserts and candies are pretty much the same thing. While I will agree that there is some crossover between desserts and candy, saying they're the same thing is like saying lunch and dinner are the same thing. While both are similar and can even have similar ingredients, there's a certain something that differentiates these two meal, and the same is true with candy and desserts. This is why I find that not all dessert themed candies work. I feel like the people that come up with these dessert/candy combinations don't really understand the difference, and I even think they figure mixing these two themes is an easy combination.

My latest review is an attempt to mix a dessert with a candy, it tastes pretty good, but I don't think it worked.

I've got another Cow Tales review going up later this week, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to check it out.

Don't forget to get my latest comic collection called Snack Facts if you want to learn even more about sweet treats.

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Is Xylitol Perfect?

I'm often very pessimistic about sugar substitutes. I find that they often fit into one of two categories, they either have some kind of awful aftertaste, or they turn out to be really bad for you. Xylitol is one of the newer sweet substitutes out there and so far it seems like in certain uses it really works, taste wise. The thing I hope never happens is that we find out that it's actually not very good for you.

Check out this interesting Xylitol based gum that I reviewed.

Make sure to check out Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as I just got back from an adventure and found some interesting treats.

You can also check out my new book called Treats and Beasts, pick up a copy for yourself or someone you know who love sweet treats.

Yogurt or Not

I'm always a little surprised that more candy companies in Europe and North America don't use yogurt as a candy flavour. I think the only exception are yogurt covered raisins and occasionally peanuts. The thing about a yogurt flavour is the flexibility to work with other flavours, in particular fruity flavours. Adding this slightly tart flavour gives what could be an overly sweet flavour a wider audience.

Click here to find out if this fun yogurt candy worked or not.

Don't forget to join me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well.

The newest issue of Snack Facts is out, pick it up here.

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Texture As A Variety

Today when we see different varieties of candies, the thing that's often the difference is the flavour. It's much more rare for candy companies to change the texture of their classic candies at all when they come out with a new variety. Even more rare is candy companies coming out with a new variety of their classic treats and the only real difference is the texture. The folks at Werther's did just that, and it worked pretty well.

Click here to find out about the texture differences between Original Werther's and the chewy version.

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And it that's not enough content for you, I have even more in Patreon.

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It's A Day Late, But It's A New Review - Sugus "Strawberry"

I'm running a little bit late this week because of the holidays. It's been a very strange holiday season for me, but I feel like this week is going to be okay. Even though I'm in lockdown, and even though things aren't going exactly as I had planned them, I still feel like these next few days are going to be fine. Best of all, I have some treats to review, and a few videos to make. That sort of thing always distracts me from the real world. While I do write about the real world occasionally, hopefully you can dig around Candy Critic a bit and find yourself a distraction.

Click here to be distracted by my latest review.

Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see what's distracting me.

Also be sure to pick up the latest issue of Snack Facts, my comic all about Snacks and Treats.

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Christmas Is Coming

While I don't want to take away from our latest review, I just wanted to remind you guys that Christmas is coming, and we have a whole bunch of great new stuff at our Candy Critic store. We're adding new stuff featuring our new characters almost every day. We'll be sure to point out some of our favourites, but make sure to check out the store for even more. Also be sure to read today's review, since it explains why I think lemon might be the best flavour for gummies ever.

Click here to see if you agree that lemons are fantastic gummy flavours.

Also be sure to check out my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds too.

Remember, the store... all the great stuff you can buy.

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Today's New Candy Review Makes Me Think About What's On A Package - Snap and Crackle

Whenever I review a candy, I try my hardest not to be influenced by the package. The thing is, the more I think about it, the more I realize that the package of a candy treat is really a big part of any candy experience. It's the first thing you see when you're at a candy store, and it often gives you some insight into what you should be expecting. Sometimes that expectation is only hinted at, and sometimes it's laid out in full words (I'd say full English, but I've had several candies that have zero English on them at all). This candy on the other hand has what it's "supposed" to be written in plain English, yet it doesn't actually have any of what it's describing. Strangely, this actually disappointed me.

Click here to find out why this taffy candy disappointed me.

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You can also follow us on Patreon to get free bonus stuff, previews of all our projects and even candy.

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Can't We Just Pretend It's Monday? (New Review And Breakfast Thought) - Sugus "Blackcurrant"

I've been under the weather for a couple of days, and yesterday just seemed like the worst time to post a breakfast thought and a new review. For our new review it's a strange one. The candy itself is pretty basic, but the fact that I recommend only eating one is a little strange. It's not that I didn't like this candy at all, it just gets worse the more you eat.

Click here to find out why this candy doesn't cut it after the second bite.



On this week's breakfast thought we talk about all kinds of fun stuff, we even show you some behind the scenes fun when we photography candy for candycritic.org reviews.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with all our fun candy adventures every day.

If you want to keep up with our Tea Everyday project, make sure to follow us on Instagram as well.

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Candy In The Media

Of all of the candies that we're featuring this month on our videos of potential Halloween candies you might get list, Airheads might be my least favourite.  I say this for two reasons.  First of all I always seem to get the watermelon or green apple Airheads, and both of those flavours really don't do it for me.  Secondly I once chipped my tooth on a stale Airhead, and memories like that stick with you.

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Candy In The Media

Watching bubble gum get made is much more entertaining when you're actually chewing it.  So stop this video (if you've already started it) and go and get some gum to chew.  This is one of the few food products that you can do this.  You certainly wouldn't want to be eating a hot dog while watching wieners get made.

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Candy News

Here's an interesting suggestion for a new sweetener, it makes sense when you think about it.

I always tried to convince my family to make me cake for breakfast, apparently I was in the right.

Mental Floss has been randomly doling out facts, including what's the most shoplifted thing, and the scientific term for ice cream headaches.

So apparently gum sales are down. Hershey's has decided that to combat this by creating a mint flavoured "chew". In other words, gum that disintegrates in your mouth really fast.

Speaking of chewy candy, apparently the next trend coming is to make your chewy candy really small.

Here's a trend I could get into, apparently the next trend in snacking foods is meat flavours.

Have you ever wanted to make your favorite fast food meal at home, well here's a few recipes to get you started (tray not included).

If you want to keep up with all of the daily candy news that we come across as it happens, follow us on Twitter.

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A Fun Fizzy Review

I think people really don't understand the power that a good texture can have on a candy.  More importantly people don't realize how much a bad texture can completely ruin a candy. I've had a few treats in my day that probably would have received a much higher review score all around if they only worried about how the treat felt in my mouth.  Fortunately this week's review did worry about it, and it was a better treat because of that.

Click here to read this week's new review.

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Stuff I Want To Try

Dr. Pepper, Orange Crush, Grape Crush and Hawaiian Punch Juicy Red Licorice - KLN Family Group - While I have a hard time believing that these are "licorice", they do look tasty. - Click here to learn more about this treat.

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Stuff I Want To Try

Lancaster Soft Crèmes - Hershey’s - This is the first new candy Hershey's has released in 30 years, I want to see if they still got it. - Click here to learn more about this treat.

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Mike and Ike Review-a-Thon - Part 1

While posting today's review this morning, I realized that there's a good chunk of the world that has no idea what a Mike and Ike is.  Since this week is going to be full of Mike and Ike reviews, I thought I would share the description given on the official Mike and Ike's website "chewy flavored candies with real fruit juice".  That description is fine, if you have a handful of them right in front of you, however if you don't it might be a little vague.  The best way I can describe them is to say that they're like elongated jelly beans, with more fruity flavour choices, and no black ones.  I hope that helps you out a little, and better yet, I hope you get the chance to try them some day.

Click here to read the first entry in our Mike and Ike review-a-thon.

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Wednesday Japanese Candy Review!

Every single culture in the world has some kind of sweet treat.  I have traveled all over the place, and I always find something local, sweet, and something kids go nuts for.  This is what makes candy great.  Even better is that each culture takes their sweet treats and presents them in a way that reflects the culture.  Some cultures are rustic, others are very organized, and some are bright and flashy.  No matter where you go, you'll see a little of every culture in their candy.

This week's Japanese candy review is a little different than most Japanese treats.  Most of the time Japanese sweets are not only tasty, but works of art for the eyes.  This week is the exception, and a rare one at that.

As always we want to thank the folks at oyatsucafe.com for providing us with our Wednesday Japanese Candy Review treat.  Make sure to visit their site and enter the word "candycritic" to get yourself a discount.

Click here to read this week's Japanese Candy Review.

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New Sweet And Sour Review

While ice cream and Popsicles are what we normally think about when you talk about summer sweets, I think treats like these Sour Punch Punchies also work really well as a summer treat. I have memories of riding my bike as a kid to the local corner store, and buying a bag of treats just like these.  Then me and my friends would go to the local park, find a great hiding spot, and munch down on all of our sweet treats.  It was a time long past, but a time I'll never forget.  It's a big part of the reason I like candy so much.  Whenever I eat a treat like these, I want to get on my bike and head to the local park again.  The problem is, as an adult, hiding in the bushes is generally frowned upon.

Click here to read our latest review.

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What?!!! I Haven't Reviewed These Before?

There are a great deal of "famous" and well known candy in the world.  It's a group of candies that most people might call classic candies.  These are the staples of any candy fans collection of treats they've sampled.  In many ways these are the treats that I try to base my reviews upon.  The problem is, sometimes I don't actually get around to reviewing them.  Sometimes they slip through the cracks, I've tasted them, I've just never put pen to paper and actually written a review.  Mike and Ike's "Original Fruits" is just such a candy, but no more is it un-reviewed.

Click here to read this classic review.

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Halloween Is Coming, So Here's Our Halloween Review

I have to admit that I feel a little guilty about this treat being our Halloween review.  It's not because it's not tasty or creative, in fact I think it's very creative, I just have a moral dilemma about treats that aren't "Halloween" themed, but are instead "fall" themed.  I hate the fact that there are people out there who feel it's not politically correct to make candies that have ghosts, goblins or witches on them.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate you if you make fall themed treats, I just don't like it when you make fall themed treats instead of Halloween treats.

Click here to read our fall/Halloween review.

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