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May 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Bebeto Jelly Gums: Berry, Turkish Coffee & Tropical

DSC_2929rbSince I’m on the topic of classic candies this week (starting with Orange Slices) another favorite are what are simply called the Raspberry. They’re a simple construction that mimics the actual berry quite nicely: it’s a gummi center covered with crunchy colored nonpareils in the approximate size and shape of a real raspberry.

Quite a few companies make them, Haribo’s are probably the most famous, but there’s also a great version made here in the United States by Jelly Belly (they also come in a white grape version called Champagne Bubbles).

Today’s new item is Bebeto Premium, a line of crunchy coated gummis made in Turkey by a company called Kervan. They’re being introduced to the American market at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago this week. I picked up a few samples in Cologne at the ISM candy fair there in February, and now that I know that they may be available here, I thought I’d review them.

DSC_2934rb

The product line boasts all natural flavorings and colorings. They’re packaged in stand up bags with zip lock tops for freshness and each variety comes with two flavors in the mix. I got to try three of their new varieties: Tropical, Berry & Turkish Coffee

DSC_2944rb

Tropical: The crunchy bits outside are sweet and have a very light fruity flavor. It isn’t until I got to the gummi center that the flavor really developed. The Tropical Ananas (Pineapple) was intense, a good blend of tartness and those pine and rosemary notes that fresh pineapples have. It was more like the fresh flavors than the canned ones. The Tropical Orange was a little more subdued, but with a good dose of zest in there to carry off a fully developed fruit flavor.

The

ones were rather like I expected. Blackberry starts very sweet with the light, crunchy nonpareils but then gets a good fruit jam kick from the gummi center. The flavor notes were dark enough to be considered blackberry. The Raspberry was more fragrant and floral than the Blackberry and of this pairing, it was definitely my favorite. Happily I also experience no flavor interference from the colorings.

DSC_2941rbThe Turkish Coffee & Mint variety was the one I was looking forward to the most. I know that coffee or anything creamy sounds like an odd match for a gummi base, but I’ve had some wonderful Japanese versions, so I know it can be done well.

As this is an actual Turkish candy from a Turkish candy company, I expected a lot from their Turkish Coffee. The package was a mix of brown and white candies, the brown ones were the coffee (obviously) and white was mint.

DSC_2939rbThe Turkish Coffee pieces smelled wonderful, like strongly sweetened, fresh coffee. The coffee flavor, in this piece, was much more apparent on the outside with the little crunchies. So far, so good. I was enjoying it and looking forward to the more intense coffee center. But that didn’t happen. The center was tangy. Generically tangy, but still with a coffee note to it. It’s like someone tossed a spoonful of lemon juice in my coffee. I thought for a while it was an error, that the little packet I had was a mistake, that they were changing over a production line. But every packet I had (I think I had four or five of these little samples that had three or four pieces each in them that I gathered from several different places - both the press room and the booth for Bebeto) was the same.

Mint was similar. The white crunchies were a strong peppermint with just a hint of spearmint. But the center was tangy. I didn’t mind that as much, I thought of it kind of like a less than zesty mojito.

I love that there are no artificial colorings in these candies. The flavors chosen for this line are great with the exception of the Turkish Coffee. I though the fruit flavors went well together in their pairings. However, the Turkish Coffee was just too weird, when I want a coffee flavored candy, I don’t want too much extra with it. Tartness definitely not a bonus. They’re a little more adult in their packaging and flavor combos, but this can easily be a family candy. I don’t know the recommended retail prices on these, but if they’re comparable to Haribo, they could fit well in the American market. The crunchy coating means they don’t stick together and would look great in a candy dish. I give the fruits a 7 out of 10 but Turkish Coffee gets a 5 out of 10 and should go back to the drawing board.



Name: Bebeto Premium Jelly Gums: Tropical, Berry & Turkish Coffee
    RATING:
  • SUPERB
  • YUMMY
  • TASTY
  • WORTH IT
  • TEMPTING
  • PLEASANT
  • BENIGN
  • UNAPPEALING
  • APPALLING
  • INEDIBLE
Brand: Kervan
Place Purchased: Samples from ISM Cologne
Price: unknown
Size: unknown
Calories per ounce:
Categories: Candy, Coffee, Gummi Candy, Mints, 5-Pleasant, 7-Worth It, Turkey

POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:09 pm     CandyReviewCoffeeGummi CandyMints5-Pleasant7-Worth ItTurkey

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Brach’s Mandarin Orange Slices

Brach's Mandarin Orange SlicesWhen it comes to classic American candies, the fruit slices are right up there at the top. They’re a simple mix of sugar, fruit flavors and a bit of thickener in the form of corn starch. You can even make them at home, but since the ingredients are so inexpensive they’re a great value as a store bought item.

Brach’s is currently updating their line of candies with new packaging and some new formulas. They’re also adding a twist to some old favorites, including the fruit slices with their new Brach’s Mandarin Orange Slices. In this case they’re calling them Mandarin Orange Jellies Made with Real Fruit Juice.

Personally, I’ve always loved Orange Slices, and their companion jelly candy, the Spearmint Leaves. I never really thought they needed much tinkering, though the best version I think I’ve had are the gourmet Gumdrops that Whole Foods sells that are made with all natural flavors and colors along with some more exotic flavors.

Brach's Mandarin Orange Slices

These fruit jellies are lovely to look at. They’re about the size of an actual mandarin section in this case, though a bit more stylized in their format with heavy little segments making them rounded and bulbous. The color is quite orange. I even noticed that the sugar sanding on the outside is colored. (Most jelly slices just have a plain, large grain sugar sanding to keep them from sticking together.)

Brach's Mandarin Orange Slices

These were obviously fresh, since they’re a new product. They’re soft but still firm enough to have a stiff bite to them. The smell was great, just opening the bag (or even re-opening the bag) was like peeling a fresh orange. As a jelly they’re smooth and dissolve easily in the mouth. (A gelatin based candy would be chewier and have a longer melting process.) The flavor has many different elements. There’s the typical orange juice note which has the distinct orange flavor and a mellow note of tartness. Then there’s a large hit of zest to the whole thing, a slight bitterness that pops in and then disappears. Incredibly there is something rather “mandarin” about the flavor that made it a bit different from the generic orange. The other item of note here is that the sugar sanding has flavor as well, just a hint of the zest.

They’re soothing. They’re not the most exciting candy in the world, but even with all of my choices (and believe me, at any given moment I have at least fifty different things to choose from), I still found myself eating these.

It’s hard to sell folks on a brand name item for a classic candy where there are so many different brands and generics available. I don’t know if I’d always reach for Brach’s when it came to Spearmint Leaves or Orange Slices, but if the price is the same or close enough, these are a step above.



Name: Mandarin Orange Slices
    RATING:
  • SUPERB
  • YUMMY
  • TASTY
  • WORTH IT
  • TEMPTING
  • PLEASANT
  • BENIGN
  • UNAPPEALING
  • APPALLING
  • INEDIBLE
Brand: Brach’s
Place Purchased: samples from Farley's & Sathers
Price: $1.59 retail
Size: 10.5 ounces
Calories per ounce: 94
Categories: Candy, Brach's, Farley's & Sathers, Jelly Candy, 7-Worth It, United States

POSTED BY Cybele AT 10:51 am     CandyBrach'sFarley's & SathersJelly Candy7-Worth ItUnited States

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Eat with your Eyes: Update Bears

Harbio Saft Baeren

These are the new Haribo Saft Baeren (Juice Bears). They come in a slightly different flavor list than the traditional Haribo Bears, like pear. They’re also made with natural food colorings. 

I’m a bit behind at my day job and won’t be able to update until next week, but I thought I could at least leave you with some tasty eye candy. Starting next week I’ll have copious coverage of the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago.

POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:49 pm     CandyHighlightPhotography

Friday, May 13, 2011

Eat with your Eyes: Sugar Chicken

Barley Sugar Toys

It’s just a barley sugar chicken.

POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:46 am     CandyHighlightPhotography

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2011 Part 2

imageName: Tic Tac Strawberry Fields plus Cherry Cola & Lemon Lime Fizz
Brand: Ferrero USA, Inc
Description: Tic Tac Strawberry Fields is our newest fruit flavor sensation! Tic Tac Strawberry Fields is a blend of sweet and tart strawberry flavored Tic Tac mints, the perfect way to escape into pure sweet indulgence!  Later in the summer try our refreshing, fizzing and electrifying new flavors for Summer 2012; Cherry Cola and Lemon Lime Fizz. Experience them and satisfy your thirst in a new way! 
Introduction Date: 6/1/2011 & 7/1/2011
Notes: Tic Tacs are veering away from mint these days with fruity flavors. Strawberry Fields strikes me as an ideal flavor adaptation, I’m surprised it hasn’t existed up until now. I’m really excited by the soda flavors and hope that maybe we can get a Root Beer someday. (The copy I was given says that the Cherry Cola & Lemon Lime Fizz were to be introduced both July 2011 and Summer 2012, I don’t know if one, both or neither are accurate.)

imageName: Gimbal’s SOUR LOVERS
Brand: Gimbal’s Fine Candies
Description: NEW Sour Lovers! Sour Lovers is made with Real Fruit Juice and bursts with Real Sour Flavor. Sour through and through, Sour Lovers is High in Antioxidant Vitamin C with each serving supplying 25% Daily Vitamin C Requirement. Sour Lovers heart shaped candies feature 12 awesome true-to-life flavors! This unique and delicious assortment includes Pomegranate, Strawberry Daiquiri, Sour Blueberry, Mango, Georgia Peach, Fuji Apple, Bing Cherry, Meyer Lemon, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Tangerine and Baja Margarita.
Introduction Date: 03/01/11
Notes: This continues the line of Gimbal’s “Lovers” series of large jelly bean style candies they’ve been introducing over the past three seasons, the first was Cherry Lovers followed by Honey Lovers. I was so intrigued by this one though, since it includes Grapefruit and Tangerine that I ordered some online and I hope to have them next week for review. These appear to be sour sanded candies, not a smooth jelly bean shell, but I won’t know until I get to see them up close. Also of note, Gimbal’s facilities are free of the eight major food allergens and are Kosher, so they’re very inclusive of most folks with food origin/ingredient/manufacturing concerns.

imageName: PEEPS Chocolate Dipped Chicks in a Caramel Flavor
Brand: Just Born
Description: Chocolate Dipped Chicks for all seasons in a variety of different colors and/or flavors. They are all available in both Milk and Dark Chocolate.
Season Availability:
Easter offers Chocolate Dipped Chicks coated in yellow sugar.
Valentine’s Day offers Chocolate Dipped Chicks in Strawberry Creme Flavor.
Halloween offers Chocolate Dipped Chicks coated in orange sugar.
Christmas offers Chocolate Dipped Chicks in a Caramel Flavor.

Introduction Date: 7/1/2011
Notes: I think the chocolate flavored dark chocolate dipped PEEPS Chicks were the best Peeps ever. The caramel ones sound intriguing, especially if there’s a hint of salt in them. Next they should make an Espresso version. I say should as a suggestion, not a prediction.

imageName: Quench Grape
Brand: Mueller Sports Medicine
Description: Best-Selling Sports Gum in America now available in Juicy New Flavor! New Quench Grape will be added to our current assortment of mouthwatering flavors - Original lemon, juicy orange and tangy fruit. In addition, Quench is unveiling a whole new look to its products to coincide with the addition of grape with eye-catching packaging and merchandising displays.
Introduction Date: 06/01/2011
Notes: I did not even know there was a category of “sports gum.” Grape Bubble Yum was one of my favorites as a kid, even though I can’t stand it as an adult ... and I also chewed my fair share of Quench when I was a kid as well. So you can imagine the waves of nostalgia this combination is generating for me. (Of course I expect that would be short lived, I’d chew a few pieces and be satisfied until the next nostalgic kick was engaged some years later ... I’m probably not the target market.)

All images courtesy of the respective manufacturer.

Related Candies

  1. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2011 Part 1
  2. Candy Tease: August 2010
  3. Candy Tease: Just Born 2010
  4. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2010 - Part 2
  5. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2010

POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:06 pm     CandyNew Product AnnouncementHighlightNews

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Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.

 

 

 

 

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