Just Born is more than just PEEPS, they also make Mike and Ike and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. At Sweets & Snacks Expo they announced their new products for 2010-11.

• NEW PEEPS Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins available in single-serve packages.
• PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Cats in a Take-Home packages.
• PEEPS Sugar-Free Pumpkins in Count-Good packages.
• PEEPS Pumpkins and Ghosts in both Count-Good and Take-Home packages.
• MIKE AND IKE HOT TAMALES and PEANUT CHEWS Brand Candies available in a variety of treat-giving snack size bags.

My take: I’d love to see these “treat-giving snack size bags” of Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. I only see the in the single serve package in my area but I would actually give them out as a Halloween treat if I had the option (the dark one is vegan). The rest of the product line is pretty much the same as this year’s Easter. The addition of the chocolate covered pumpkins is new - though I have to say that I’m disappointed that they’re making the marshmallow center orange instead of leaving them natural like the Peeps are (on the inside at least).

• NEW PEEPS Chocolate Covered Mint Flavored Marshmallow Trees in single serve packages. The PEEPS Brand is offering fans its most extravagant PEEPS yet, PEEPS Chocolate Covered Mint Flavored Marshmallow Trees, heralding the Brand’s first chocolate-covered item with a flavored marshmallow center.
• NEW PEEPS Sugar-free Peppermint Stars in Count-Good packages.
• PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Reindeer available in Take-Home packages.
• PEEPS Marshmallow Trees and Snowmen in both Count-Good and Take-Home packages.
• PEEPS Sugar Cookie Flavored Marshmallow Cutouts in Take-Home packages.
• PEEPS Peppermint Flavored Marshmallow Stars in Take-Home packages.

My take: I’m really excited about the Chocolate Covered Peppermint Peeps. I hope they don’t have artificial sweeteners in them like the uncoated marshmallows do right now. They seem like they’d be a refreshing chocolate treat but still spare on the calories.

• New PEEPS Chocolate Covered Raspberry Flavored Marshmallow Hearts in single-serve packages. This year, PEEPS Brand Marshmallow Candies are melting hearts with their new PEEPS Chocolate Covered Raspberry Flavored Marshmallow Hearts. Delicious milk or dark chocolate cover raspberry flavored PEEPS to create a scrumptious chocolate and marshmallow experience.
• New MIKE AND IKE Passion Mix in 6 oz Theater Boxes.
• New HOT TAMALES Untamed Love Mix in 6 oz Theater Boxes.
• PEEPS “I (heart) U” and Pink Hearts in both Count-Good and Take-Home packages.
• Red PEEPS Sugar-Free Hearts in a Count-Good packages.
• PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Bears in a Take-Home Packages.
• PEEPS Vanilla Creme and Strawberry Creme Flavored Hearts in Take-Home Packages.

My take: Raspberry chocolate covered Peeps for Valentines ... what more do I need to say?

Last year Hershey’s announced their new expanded Hershey’s Pieces line at National Confectioners Association’s Sweets & Snacks Expo. This year the new product line is Hershey’s Drops.

Hershey’s Drops are billed as Hershey’s Happiness in a little drop of milk chocolate without a candy shell and featuring a light, shiny, mess free finish. They’ll be on store shelves starting in December 2010, starting with King Size packages of 2.1 ounces.

The packages I got to try are just sales samples, in little .6 ounce packets with ingredients listing but no final nutrition panel (which isn’t that surprising since they won’t be available for another six months).

Now your family can have all the goodness of bite-sized chocolate without the candy shell.

HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate DROPS have a light shiny finish, so there’s no mess. They’re perfect for snacking and sharing anytime, anywhere!

The drops are larger than the Pieces about as big around as a nickel. Brits may be familiar with the size and shape, they’re rather similar to Mars’ Galaxy Minstrels, except without the shell - in fact, they’re exactly like the re-released Galaxy Counters (which I haven’t tried, but Chocablog did a nice review of a couple of months ago).

Some may wonder if the light coating is like that on M&Ms Premiums. There is a light waxy coating on there, but it’s thinner than the latexy and colorful stuff on the M&Ms Premiums. It’s more like what you’d find on Junior Mints or Whoppers. Just a simple glaze that melts away quickly.

The flavor is pure Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, not much else. A little tangy and fudgy, sweet and milky. The coating keeps them fresh and smooth, I’ve found that Kisses can taste a little rancid when left out of the bag, even though they have a foil wrapping. Of course I didn’t have these candies for very long, so I can’t say for sure that they’d be like that if left out in a dish.

The second item in the Drops line is a bit more inventive, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme Drops.

The confection is made of a white chocolate with cookie bits like Oreos mixed in. The white chocolate ingredients are a little muddy, the label says “cocoa butter, palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil” so I don’t know how much of this white chocolate is actually cocoa butter. That and/or confuses me.

Hershey’s currently offers the Cookies ‘n’ Creme in a few formats. The original is their bar but there are also Kisses from time to time, Nuggets, as well as holiday foil wrapped versions. This little morsel version with no wrapper is actually a great new take on the candy.

I have to admit they don’t look so great. They look muddy and dirty. The cookie bits show through. They’re consistently shaped, but the white isn’t quite white and not even that light yellow that French vanilla ice cream sports.

They smell especially sweet and milky. The texture is thick and a little fudgy and heavy on the dairy flavors. The crispy bits of cookie are crunchy and crumbly, with a sandy grain to them that sets off the sticky melt of the white confection very well. It’s a little salty, so though it’s sugary at times and kind of throat searing, it doesn’t stay that way to the end. It’s more like cookies and cream ice cream than a candy version of a chocolate sandwich cookie.

I haven’t been much of a fan of the Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar up to this point, but I have to say that the smaller discrete bites do help. They’re best, as far as I’m concerned, mixed with the Milk Chocolate ones to keep it all from getting too sweet.

Overall, I think this is a fun new take. I’m glad that Hershey’s is making them with the bar version ingredients, instead of going the route they did with Kissables as a “chocolate candy”. I see the benefits to getting rid of the foil wrappings and the candy shells plus making the morsels larger than a chocolate baking chip. I’m sure some folks will be happy to see that there are no artificial colors in here either, since there’s no colored shell.

The ability to combine these with other items to create a custom trail mix snack is also intriguing. I’d like to mix them with nuts, pretzels or sesame sticks. I can also see a lot of possibilities with expanding this with other candies in the Hershey’s line.

Related Candies

1. Cookies ‘n’ Creme Showdown
2. Galaxy Minstrels
3. Hershey’s Nuggets Double Chocolate
4. Kissables (Reformulated)
5. UK Smarties (no artificial colors)
6. Hershey Eggs
7. Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Mint

Following up on yesterday’s honey theme, here’s a foil wrapped honey caramel from Lake Champlain Chooclates.

Name: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Drops
Brand:  Hershey’s
Description: Introducing Hershey’s Drops and Reese’s Minis! These new items will further expand the hand-to-mouth segment by offering iconic brands in a small, unwrapped, easy-to-eat format. Hershey’s Drops offer a lot of Hershey’s Happiness in a little drop of milk chocolate or cookies ‘n’ creme candy. Drops are bite-sized candies without a candy shell, featuring a light, shiny, mess-free finish. 
Introduction Date: 12/03/2010
Notes: I don’t know quite what the “hand-to-mouth” segment is, I thought it was something discussed in the financial sector. These are certainly a curious product. They’re similar in construction to the M&M’s Premiums introduced two years ago in that they have only a thin glazed coating instead of a full candy shell. But they’re much larger, a full bite of chocolate. The fact that they’re releasing them in the Cookies ‘n’ Creme version I think will really help these stand apart from the M&Ms sector.

Name: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis
Brand: Reese’s (Hershey’s)
Description: Reese’s Minis offer the perfect combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter in a convenience, unwrapped peanut butter cup. Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers everywhere can now enjoy Reese’s in a mess-free, bite-sized product experience. Available in take home pouches and instant consumable King Size packages.
Introduction Date: 12/03/2010
Notes: It’s tough to even think about these after having the Trader Joe’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups for all these years. It seems so silly that Reese’s wasn’t making them all along. Anyway, probably great for baking and eating at the movies.

Name: Ice Breakers Frost
Brand: Ice Breakers (Hershey’s)
Description: Ice Breakers Frost, in Wintercool and Peppermint. Strong mint users want a mint that provides powerful breath freshening without the harsh, bitter taste associated with existing strong mints. Ice Breakers Frost Mints deliver the intensity and long-lasting freshness strong mint user expect PLUS the great taste of Ice Breakers. Frost Adds POWER to the Hershey Mint Portfolio! 
Introduction Date: 09/03/10
Notes: The package is kind of interesting, but the world of mints is getting mighty confusing.

Name: Jolly Rancher Awesome Twosome
Brand: Jolly Rancher (Hershey’s)
Description: Jolly Rancher Awesome Twosome Chews offer two flavors in one candy - including chewy watermelon wrapped around a green apple center and cherry wrapped around an soft orange center.
Introduction Date: 12/3/2010
Notes: I don’t quite understand how these are a Jolly Rancher product instead of a Twizzler item. Except for the fact that there was a Twizzler product like this called Twerpz which was just single flavors, but still similar enough in concept.

Name: Jolly Rancher Tropical Fruit Chews
Brand: Jolly Rancher (Hershey’s)
Description: Pineapple, Lemon-Lime, Tropical Punch and Strawberry-Kiwi
Introduction Date: 6/4/2010
Notes: Jolly Rancher introduced their fruit chews back in 2001. They’re kind of like Starburst, except they seem to come in a box instead of a pack. Of course Pineapple sounds like the most promising flavor to me. Come to think of it, a Pineapple Jolly Rancher hard candy sounds good, too.

Name: BREATHSAVERS Cinnamon
Brand: Breathsavers (Hershey’s)
Description: Hershey’s is the mint leader in convenience stores. 
Introduction Date: 3/26/2010
Notes: Honestly, I thought there already was a cinnamon Breathsaver.

Name: Jelly Belly Cocktail Classics
Brand: Jelly Belly
Description: Mojito is a mix of mint, rum and lime; Pomegranate Cosmo is made with real juice from the fruit; and Peach Bellini comprises peaches and champagne. The beans are non-alcoholic, gluten-, dairy- and gelatin-free, as well as vegetarian and kosher-certified, according to the company. Beans pack in 3.5-ounce bags with a SRP of $2.49, 7.5-ounce clear classic packages and 4.25-ounce gift boxes both with SRPs of $5.99. All items ship 12 per case.
Introduction Date: 5/1/2010
Notes: It used to be that Jelly Belly created menus where you mix your own beans to create cocktails, smoothies and other flavor combinations. Now they’re doing it all inside the bean for you.

Name: Turkey Feather Lollipop Counter Merchandising Deal
Brand: Squire Boone Village
Description: Turkey Feather Pops are so unique that Squire Boone Village has been granted a United States design patent. The colorful Feather Pops are packed assorted colors and flavors: apple, cherry, grape and blue raspberry. The Turkey Display itself is destined to one day be a valuable collectors’ item. SRP $1.59
Introduction Date:  01/01/2010
Notes: I just liked this photo ... that’s all. I doubt I’ll ever run into these at a store, but if I did, I don’t know if I’d be able to resist one of the pops.

Name: Ed Hardy Branded Candies
Brand: NBSP
Description: The Ed Hardy brand is the hottest brand in the market today! We have candy with added consumer value. This includes collectible lunchboxes, temporary tattoos, and other add-ons. Candies include hard candy, sugar free gum, and gummies. 
Introduction Date: 5/1/2010
Notes: Um, I don’t know who Ed Hardy actually is, but I see bus ads for them here in Los Angeles and the name bedazzled on people. I don’t know if that means they make good candy or not.

Name: Glutino Chocolate Coated Pretzels
Brand: Glutino Food Group
Description: Glutino’s best selling gluten free pretzels twists are not available coated in premium milk chocolate. 
Introduction Date: 04/14/10
Notes: I tried the Glutino Dark Chocolate Wafer bars earlier this year and found them to be good, but not great. I’ve been eating non-wheat pretzels for a few years and rather like them (but they’re not gluten free, they’re just made with Spelt) so the idea of a gluten free dark chocolate pretzel doesn’t seem too foreign. I’m wondering if they make a dark chocolate version. I’ll keep an eye out for them at Whole Foods.

Name: Peppermint Nonpareils in Canisters and Gable Boxes
Brand: Asher’s Chocolates
Description: Perfect for the holidays! Asher’s Chocolates offers a line of Peppermint Nonpareils. Our rich dark chocolate is now sprinkled with real candy cane bits. The candies are packed in 7 oz. foil pouches for freshness and come in attractive, eye-catching cylinders and gable boxes that liven up any holiday displays. A Gable Box Shipper is also available. Bulk Peppermint Nonpareils are also available in both White and Dark Chocolate and come in 6 lb. boxes.
Introduction Date: 11/01/09
Notes: I missed these in the last holiday season, so I’m hoping I’ll run into them again this year.

Name: Airheads Bars:Orange and Pink Lemonade
Brand: Perfetti van Melle
Description: Introducing the Tangy Taste of Summer - two new delicious flavors of Airheads bars - Orange and Pink Lemonade.
Introduction Date: 02/01/2010
Notes: Pink Lemonade sounds right up my alley, so I’m hoping I’ll see these at the 7-11.

Name: sweetriot yumBar
Brand: Sweetriot, Inc.
Description: sweetriot is a New York based chocolate company creating a sweet movement to fix the world. The yumBar is sourced and produced directly in Latin America. The bar is available in two flavors. yumBar 65-65% dark chocolate with crunchy cacao ‘peaces’, and yumBar 70- 70% dark chocolate with crunchy cacao ‘peaces’ and plump golden raisins. This delectable bar is all natural, doesn’t contain gluten or dairy ingredients and is only 45-50 calories per ‘mega peace’. 
Introduction Date: 3/10,/2010
Notes: The non-traditional capitalization of these bug me, but the bar actually sounds pretty good. I’ve seen my share of cacao nib bars, but I don’t know if I’ve had one with golden raisins yet, so they’ve got that going for them.

Name: Milk Chocolate Smothered Pita Pretzel Squares
Brand: The Bachman Company
Description:
Unlike any other snack! Our crispy, puffed Pita Pretzels are slow baked to perfection in our classic brick ovens, sprinkled with sea salt, and then smothered with rich, creamy milk chocolate for an irresistibly indulgent flavor. All Natural Chocolate Pita Pretzels are the perfect combination of salty and sweet with a unique light and airy bite.
Introduction Date: 05/24/10
Notes: I haven’t a clue what a Pita Pretzel is (I’m guessing pita is just a word for pocket?) but a sweet & savory chocolate thingy sounds good right now. I like the idea that they’re all natural, that should set them apart in the crowded chocolate covered pretzel category.

all images courtesy of the respective manufacturers