Tuesday's Candy Links

Controversial candy flavour chosen for a Disney lollipop, might be a coincidence, but probably should have been spotted earlier on.

We all know cola isn't healthy, but is it dangerous?

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria has his own chocolate bar, now all world leaders are going to want one too.

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Trying to Get an Agent/Publisher - Rejection 15

As you may or may not know, I'm trying to sell a Candy Critic book idea. If you know (or are) someone that can help me out, say hello.  If not, please enjoy my now regular posts of rejections I've received from agents and publishers.

"Dear Chris,

Please accept our sincere apologies for the very delayed reply to your submission. We are currently overwhelmed by our work load, and due to the increased pressures of the contemporary publishing climate, we are unable to consider your submission at this time. We would like to thank you very much for your patience and understanding in this matter.

We wish you all the best for the successful placement of your work.

With kind regards,
The Editorial Board"

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This Week In Candy

Candy News -  Easter is really one of the best times of year to get sweet treats.  In North America if you're a chocolate fanatic this is really your time of year.  I've learned this year that other countries also celebrate this time of year, but many don't go with classic chocolate eggs and bunnies.  Often you find treats geared towards how each culture celebrates this religious part of this time of year.  It's really fascinating and really tasty too.

What's Happening At Candy Critic -  The main news over the last week, as well as over the next few weeks to follow, is a new art project I'm working on at bewarethecheese.com.  It involves collecting as many different kind of spreads for bread that I can.  While the art project will deal with the visual aspects of these spreads, I'm thinking about writing a little about each of these spreads on this blog.  Sure some aren't sweet, but I really think there are some fascinating things that people spread on bread.

Rant -  Not much is ticking me off this week.  Sure I could muster up a complaint about chocolate qualities for Easter treats, or fight the hollow vs solid chocolate bunny argument, but frankly I just want to sit back with a Cadbury Cream Egg and watch the day go by instead.

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Monday's Candy Links

The Huffington Post reminds us of a few food jingles that will now be stuck in your head all day.

So, you think you know everything there is to know about OREO's?  Let's just see if you do.

Just Born is launching super hot, Hot Tamales.  I could have called this "Stuff I Want To Try" but frankly I'm a little bit afraid to try them.

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Gummies Are European

Did you know that gummies were invented in Europe.  Most people assume that they were created in the US, but they would assume wrong.  In fact the maker of today's review is credited with creating gummies, more importantly the gummy bear.  Since then I've noticed that there are far more gummy choices in Europe than anywhere else in the whole world.

Click here to read today's gummy review.

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Trying to Get an Agent/Publisher - Rejection 14

As you may or may not know, I'm trying to sell a Candy Critic book idea. If you know (or are) someone that can help me out, say hello.  If not, please enjoy my now regular posts of rejections I've received from agents and publishers.

"Dear Chris

Thank you for your query.  This project just does not fit in with our current list so we are going to respectfully pass, but we wish you well for its success."

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Friday Candy Video - Popcorn Commercial is Genius

The elf with the "butter cup" flower on his head... seriously, that's brilliant!

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Friday's Candy Links

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Lindt Gold Bunny, Lindt is giving away a whole bunch of them away.

The dangers of toaster snacks revealed "Woman treated after pop tart attack".

Edible food packaging? It doesn't make sense to me, the only reason I need packaging on my food is because I don't want people touching the stuff I eat.

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Stuff I Want To Try

Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter - Made by: Nestlé  - Why: You mean there wasn't a peanut butter Kit Kat already? - Click here to learn more about this treat.

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Treats From Paris

Just recently, my friends Justin, Eric, and Brigitte came back from a fun trip to Paris, including a trip to Euro Disney.  They were all nice enough to pick me up a couple of treats, that I can't wait to sample.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising - Warm Cocoa On a Cold Day

The only thing that could make a cup of hot cocoa seem more warm and inviting is to put a sleeping cap on it.

Found this ad on Vintage Ad Browser

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Thursday's Candy Links

Are you in Canon City Colorado?  Why not check out Candy Bouquet?

Apparently "cocoa ‘may help strengthen skeletal muscle function’", and although I don't really know what that is, it can't hurt to improve it.

I love eating Disney food, and I love this blog all about Disney food.

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Old Candy Critic Articles - Cookies

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 about some cookies that I had discovered.

For years people have asked me how I define “candy”. I tell them... well I never really know what to say.  Honestly the definition of candy is fairly vague and it's really up to you. I have my own rules, and that's how I decide what to review on Candy Critic.  I couldn't actually tell you my rules either, because they seem to change pretty regularly. I have many gray areas on the subject as well. The one gray area that really gets me is cookies, mostly because I really like them and I've always wanted to write about the subject. So I've decided that since I can't really say that most cookies (although there are some exceptions) are candy, here's my special article on cookies and what I think of them.

Fortune Cookies

This first cookie is a strange one, part messenger, part after dinner mint, and part, yes, cookie. The thing about these cookies is you really never find yourself going to the store to buy a bag, and I think that's wrong. I say when you get a cookie craving think about our friends in the East (They're not actually from China but we can use our imagination) and buy a bag of these awesome treats. It's not like you only need a glimpse into your future right after you eat an egg roll is it?

Z'animo

Being a huge fan of shortbread and chocolate does not make it easy for me to say anything about these cookies except, wow! This is the kind of treat that balances a fine line between being a candy or a cookie as well. I mean no one would argue that a chocolate bar with cookies in it isn't candy, but cover a cookie with chocoalte and suddenly it all gets a little fuzzy. The problem is I'm not really sure if I could review this treat as candy, the good thing is I don't really care because these things are yummy.

Petti Dejener

This is the type of treat one might find on an airplane, or waiting in a hotel room. Nicely packaged and pretty yummy. It might be considered candy because of it's small packaging, but most people would probably argue saying it wasn't. Particularly because these often come with your morning coffee. If you ask me though, these don't need coffee or any kind of side dish, they're great on their own.

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Wednesday's Candy Links

The Royal ladies go out for some sweets, Kate likes chocolate, Camilla likes Jelly Beans, the Queen... she has some cake.

If you like beer and gummy bears than you should probably click this link.

Do you prefer to buy you cupcakes anonymously?  The cupcake ATM is here.

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Sweet Greek Lent Treats

Many people around the world are celebrating Lent.  I have to be honest, I'm not really familiar with any of the traditions of Lent.  All I know is; it is said to last 40 days, but it lasts a couple of more, and you can only eat certain thing, sometimes no meat, sometimes no bread.

Since the rules seem to vary, many cultures have different treats and foods that are considered acceptable for this holiday.  In Greece you're not allowed to eat anything that bleeds, and it appears that certain breads are also not allowed.  Fish is OK, but only things like octopus and shellfish.  Desert wise, Greece has many treats that are fine to eat including halvas, baklava, and the cookies known as "Skaltsounia".

One of the great things about Greek culture is the many desserts and treats that are only available during certain events or seasons.  It's great to walk into a bakery every month and find something you've never seen before.  It's also really frustrating to walk into a bakery with hopes of buying those awesome cookies you bought last month, only to find out that they're only available for a particular week.

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Candy Art - Candy Art That Will Hurt Your Teeth

Dirk Staschke makes some great looking ceramic art that is so mouth wateringly real, you almost want to take a bite.  Unfortunately ceramic is both too hard to bite, and it tastes horrible... I've had experiences.

Click here to check out more of Dirk Staschke's art.

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Tuesday's Candy Links

Ever wanted to learn the history of chocolate in less than 10 minutes?

I've always wanted a chocolate version of myself, one Irish DJ had one made and he's giving it away.

Continuing on this chocolate theme, it appears that people aren't very interested in the high cocoa and single origin trend.

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This Week In Candy

Candy News - While this has nothing to do with candy exactly, I have been overrun with news about Cotton Candy, that new computer thing that's really small.  I can't say that I know anything about it, but I can tell you that any feed you might have with the word "candy" in it will have some mention of it. I've also been getting a lot of messages about the health benefits of cocoa, more than usual.  I'm not sure if a specific study was just released on the subject, or if the media has just decided that it's a good subject to follow right now.

What's Happening At Candy Critic - As I mentioned earlier, today is my birthday.  So needless to say I've been eating a lot of sweet treats that make me happy, including the cupcakes shown above.  We also got a handful of sweet treats from a friend's visit to Paris, and we're expecting a few more treats in the mail soon from others.

Rant - My problem with free candy.  I just want to send a note out to candy companies that decide to send me free candy.  First and foremost I really appreciate that you send me your treats.  I love trying new treats, and I love to support the candy industry by writing about these treats.  I just have one question for you guys, how do you really feel if I don't like your treat?  Will you be mad at me?  Keep in mind that my opinion is not the final word on any treat, it's just my opinion.  I may not like your coconut covered licorice, but that's just because I'm not a huge fan of either coconut or licorice.  I've only received a few bad responses to negative review in my life as the Candy Critic, but each time it stung a little.

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Monday's Candy Links

First of all it's my birthday.

"Rich People More Likely To Take Candy From Children: Real Report", isn't social science wonderful.

I love this little food art, but I'd be disappointed if I went to your house and this is all you served me for dinner.

If you haven't been caught up as to why cocoa is great for you, here's some information.

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A Question About Today's New Review

Why are candies, and sweets, in the shape of a tire so appealing?  I think candies and sweets that have this "donut" shape are the best example of candy "Ma".  Ma, is a form of Japanese art that understands the importance of the negative space as much as the positive space. In this case the negative space is the hole in the middle, and for some reason it makes some treats really great.  I don't know why this works, but I do know it does.

Click Here to read today's hole in the center review.

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