Mars has scaled back on the new product introductions they announce at Sweets & Snacks Expo, but there are still plenty of new twists on your favorite candies coming out in the next six months or so. Here are some highlights:

Name: Dove Cookies and Creme
Brand: Dove (Mars)
Description: Savor the grown-up experience of a childhood favorite with the delicious flavors of cookies and crème. New DOVE® Brand Silky Smooth Cookies and Crème blends sweet and creamy white chocolate and crunchy chocolate cookie bits into an indulgence that only DOVE Chocolate can deliver.
Introduction Date: September 2012
Notes: I am actually looking forward to this. The Hershey’s version has gone downhill since they stopped using all cocoa butter but the Dove Peppermint Bark that came out two years ago did turn out really well ... the big question remains, will it have the right ratio of chocolate cookies.

Name: Milky Way Caramel Apple
Brand: Mars
Description: Caramel apples are a Halloween tradition, and new MILKY WAY® Brand Caramel Apple Miniatures add a chocolate twist to this Halloween favorite. Combining the irresistible tastes of chocolate, rich and creamy caramel and apple, this new item brings a unique, new flavor to trick-or-treating, decorating and snacking.
Introduction Date: September 2012
Notes: These are coming out for Halloween, but will be around through the end of the year. I know that the apple and caramel flavor thing has been around for a while, but I have my doubts that this will taste realistic and not fake.

Name: 3 MUSKETEERS Brand Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow
Brand: Mars
Description: What’s better than hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day? Try new 3 MUSKETEERS Brand Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow Minis and find out! This new limited-edition holiday flavor may not warm the bones, but with its smooth and creamy goodness, it’s sure to satisfy holiday decorating and snacking this season.
Introduction Date: November 2012
Notes: 3 Musketeers has been the area where Mars has been throwing its muscle in the seasonal flavors. The previous 3 Musketeers Marshmallow for Easter 2011 was a bit lackluster. I’m not quite sure what this flavor will be, except less malty (is it possible for the current version of 3 Musketeers to be less malty) than the current version.

Name: DOVE PROMISES Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate & Strawberry Crème Swirl Hearts
Brand: Dove (Mars)
Description: Juicy strawberry crème coated in milk chocolate combine for a decadent and irresistible taste sensation. DOVE captures this hallmark flavor of the season in new DOVE PROMISES Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate & Strawberry
Introduction Date: January 2013
Notes: The white & milk swirl that Dove came out with is nicely done. The fakey fruit flavors that I had in the raspberry was just not my cup of tea, but there are others that might enjoy these, especially in small pieces with a Valentine’s theming on them.

Other items returning:

M&M’S Candy Corn White Chocolate Candies were an unexpected hit last year. I was surprised that I liked them and am glad to see that they’ll return for Halloween 2012. Full review here.

Dove Peppermint Bark will be back for Christmas in the bark and Promises version, but also a new DOVE Peppermint Bark Singles which sounds like a great way to just pick up a small, easy to eat bar instead of a large bag. Previous review of Promises here.

DOVE PROMISES Silky Smooth White Chocolate will also return for Christmas 2012. Previous review is here.

3 MUSKETEERS Dark Chocolate Strawberry Minis were introduced in a Fall Mix in 2007 (along with French Vanilla and Cappuccino). Lately they’ve been bringing out Cherry and Raspberry seasonally, but this Strawberry version will be out for Valentine’s Day 2013.

Images courtesy of Mars, Inc.

Related Candies

1. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2012 - Part 2
2. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2012 - Part 1
3. Candy Tease Spring 2012
4. Candy Tease: October 2011
5. Candy Tease: Mars 2011 Announcements
6. Candy Tease: Mars 2010

Though I couldn’t make it to Sweets & Snacks Expo this year, I’ve gotten word of loads of new candy hitting the shelves soon. Here are some highlights.

Name: Lindor Vanilla Truffles
Brand: Lindt
Description: Exquisitely creamy chocolate and artistic mastery combine to create our LINDOR Truffle with an irresistibly smooth center guaranteed to melt the heart of every chocolate connoisseur. A white chocolate shell infused with vanilla surrounds an irresistibly smooth vanilla white chocolate center.
Introduction Date: May 2012
Notes: It’s basically a white chocolate truffle. I was actually surprised to learn that this didn’t exist already. I think they’ll do well, white chocolate has seen a rebirth of interest lately, especially with higher end candy makers.

Name: Hello Kitty Chocolate Brownie Treats
Brand: Taste of Nature
Description: Taste of Nature has paired with Sanrio to produce a Hello Kitty treats line, including: Hello Kitty Cotton Candy (which comes in pink vanilla and blue raspberry), Hello Kitty Cupcake, Hello Kitty Chocolate Brownie and Hello Kitty Cookie Dough. Both the Cookie Dough and Brownie treats consist of ready-to-eat cookie dough covered in creamy milk chocolate, while the Cupcake treats feature a cupcake center, covered in a coating of frosting and topped off with multi-colored sprinkles.
Introduction Date: May 2012
Notes: Basically, they’re Cookie Dough Bites and their kin. So if you want those candies but would prefer a prettier box, pick these up. (I don’t know if they cost more, the list is the same.)

Name: Red Velvet Nutffles
Brand: Morris National
Description: Red Velvet Truffles are the latest take on Nutffles. Featuring cream cheese flavor, chocolate and whole almonds, this treat is sure to satisfy your cake cravings.
Introduction Date: 7/1/2012
Notes: I hesitate to call Nutffles truffles, they’re more like an American version of Ferrero Rocher, but not a pure clone. This new flavor is definitely All-American. Not something I’m likely to go for, but definitely thinking outside the box.

Name: Sweethearts Marshmallows
Brand: Spangler Candy Company
Description: Sweethearts aren’t just hard candies any more. This year, they will be available as heart-shaped marshmallows and heart-shaped lollipops. Both will feature some of Sweethearts’ original “conversations” and will be in four flavor: strawberry, grape, green apple and blue raspberry.
Introduction Date: Valentines 2013
Notes: Sweethearts are made by Necco, but this alternate version is made by Spangler, masters of the Circus Peanut. I’m guessing these marshmallows will be like Circus Peanuts. They sound absolutely dreadful to eat, but probably wonderful for decorating and just looking at. But I could be wrong ... I’m willing to give them a try.

Name: Scary Gummy
Brand: Vidal Candies
Description: A 4-pk of assorted Halloween-themed gummy characters includes: skulls, cross bones, skeletons, and bats.
Introduction Date: Halloween 2012
Notes: Vidal is a Spanish company that makes excellent gummis. I don’t see them much in the United States, mostly as bulk items. It’s nice to see them getting their own brand out here. If you’re looking for novelty gummis that aren’t made in China, I’d say keep an eye out for these.

All images courtesy of the respective manufacturers.

Related Candies

1. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2012 - Part 1
2. Candy Tease Spring 2012
3. Candy Tease: October 2011
4. Candy Tease: Mars 2011 Announcements
5. Eat with your Eyes: L.A. Burdick

The Sweets and Snacks Expo, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association starts today in Chicago. It’s a huge trade show for candy manufacturers to show their product lines to candy buyers. Hundreds of new candy products are introduced each year, here are a few:

Name: Brand: Ritter Sport
Description: Attention all ice cream lovers! The classic Italian ice cream flavour Amarena cherry is now also available as RITTER SPORT chocolate. With its milk cream, sour cherries and the pleasantly light flavour of almonds, it can proudly take its place beside its Italian role model. Even the crispy cornet has its place in the square “Amarena Cup” in the form of small pieces of waffle! Ice cold, this chocolate square even beats the scoop of ice cream.
Introduction Date: November 2012
Notes:  I believe the Amarena Cherry will be a summer limited edition flavor in Europe, so it will transition into American stores shortly after that for the Winter. Also of note, there will be a few other holiday flavors for Americans: Coconut Macaroon, Dark Praline & Caramel Almond and after a 5 year absence, Ritter Rum, Raisins & Hazelnuts (Rum Trauben Nuss) is back for Holiday 2012.

Name: Au Natural
Brand: Sweet Candy Company
Description: The products in this line are made with all natural ingredients and contain No Artificial Flavors or Colors, No Corn Syrup, No Preservatives. Nummy Bears, Squishy Fishy, Squirmy Wormy, and Citrus Slices. “Classic Candies, Better Ingredients.
Introduction Date: 1/15/2012
Notes: I tried these at the Fancy Food Show in January. The products are jellies, not gummies but once you get over the texture difference, the flavors are really well balanced and fruity. The citruses are especially good. If you like the Gourmet Gum Drops at Whole Foods, you’ll love these.

Name: Ginger-Lemon Gummi
Brand: Haribo
Description: Said Christian Jegen, president of Haribo of America Inc. “Ginger-Lemon is extremely popular overseas, and we anticipate it will be a big hit in the U.S., especially among adults who are looking for something new and unusual in their choice in sweets. We believe the American gummi candy market has yet to reach its full potential.”
Introduction Date: September 2012
Notes: I’ve had these, I’ve actually bought more than a half a dozen bags of them, and if I time it properly, they’ll be in stores in the US by the time I run out. If you like authentic tasting, tangy and spicy gummis, you should seek these out.

Name: Gimbal’s Sour Beans
Brand: Gimbal’s Candy
Description: The brand new Sour Gourmet Jelly Bean line is made with real fruit juice, and features two flavors that have never been made in sour jelly bean format before: Sour Mango and Sour Pomegranate. Also introducing this fall, Gimbal’s Harvest Mix Gourmet Jelly Beans are made with Real Fruit Juice. This 9oz Fall-themed bag is packed with seven delicious gourmet flavors including special Pumpkin Pie, Harvest Spice, Peach Cobbler and more!
Introduction Date: 61/2012
Notes: I already reviewed the Gimbal’s Sour Beans when I found them around Easter. There’s a lot to love about Gimbal’s candies. Most notably they’re free from the Major Eight Food Allergens and they use good ingredients. But I’ve had a devilish time finding them. The good news is that many of their products are going to be available in the smaller 2.75 ounce peg bags for just a buck. I hope the really hard to find Sour Lovers also come in this convenient package.

Name: Bonomo Taffy: Blue Raspberry & Cherry
Brand: Warrell Corp.
Description: Bonomo, the nostalgic Taffy brand is introducing two new flavors! Try new Blue Raspberry, and Cherry flavors today!
Introduction Date: 5/7/2012
Notes: Bonomo was one of the most missed discontinued candies when they resumed production under the guidance of Warrell Corp (Classic Caramel Company) about a year ago. They started up with the expected flavors: strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and banana. It’s interesting to see them expand the flavors so quickly. I fully expected cherry, but blue raspberry is an interesting demographic note, as it’s mostly requested by younger folks.

Related Candies

1. Candy Tease Spring 2012
2. Candy Tease: October 2011
3. Candy Tease: Mars 2011 Announcements
4. Eat with your Eyes: L.A. Burdick

When there’s a new version of Snickers I’m usually right on top of sourcing one for review. I knew that Mars was bringing out the Snickers 3X Chocolate late last year. The bar has chocolate nougat, chocolate caramel and a chocolate coating, plus peanuts. It sounded like the Triple Chocolate Twix they brought out a couple of times.

These came out in February, but I couldn’t find them anywhere in Los Angeles. Luckily I did spot them at a gas station in Media, Pennsylvania and picked one up.

They only come in the 2 To Go size, which is like a King Size bar, except there are two small bars in the package. The wrappers says that you can eat one now, twist the wrapper and save the other for later. Yeah, as if a lot of people do that. (Mars is phasing out their king size bars over concerns about portioning and will only sell bars with 250 or fewer calories.

I would prefer to call these Triple Chocolate Snickers, but no one at Mars consulted me on this item. The 3X was vague, I thought maybe it was three times the size or maybe had three little bars in the package.

Each bar is 210 calories and almost 1.6 ounces. So they’re actually a good size and satisfying portion. I find the regular Snickers bar just one bite too big for me. About 200 calories is a pleasing portion for most of us.

The bars are beautiful, even after a few thousand miles of travel. They have the lovely swirls of chocolate on top and a thick coat over the layers inside. The bar is constructed as you might anticipate, a base of chocolate nougat with a peanut studded caramel on top of that then a coating of milk chocolate.

The bar smells like a Snickers, like sweet milk and peanuts. The bite is similar to the traditional Snickers with perhaps a little less caramel pull. It’s all quite sweet and not quite as chocolatey as I’d hoped. The nougat doesn’t really taste like chocolate, just sweet and fluff like a 3 Musketeers. The chocolate caramel is a bit richer in profile than the standard caramel, but lacks a salty punch. The peanuts are just as good as they should be, crunchy and fresh.

Really, I prefer the salty and nuttier standard Snickers. But if I tried this bar first, I might be more inclined to make it a favorite. It just felt a little too sweet overall without as much of a flavor punch.

I have no idea if Mars is set to roll this out in Fun Size and regular size bars, my guess is they’re waiting for reaction from consumers on the King Size (but if the King Size goes away, I would guess this bar would, too).

Mars has not moved to sustainable and ethically sourced cacao in the United States (their first product will be Maltesers in the UK). This bar contains peanuts, soy, eggs and dairy. There’s no note about the gluten status.

Related Candies

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2. Snickers Peanut Butter Squared
3. Limited Edition Snickers Fudge
4. Snickers Rockin’ Nut Road Bar
5. Storck Chocolate Riesen
6. Twix Triple Chocolate
7. Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews

Skittles were introduced in 1974 in the UK then in 1979 in the United States. While the flavors in the classic Fruits package vary whether you purchase the US or European variety, the flavors have remained the same.

It wasn’t until 1989 that Skittles started to create extra flavor versions of their packages. The Skittles Sours were introduced in the United States in 2000 as a regular Skittle with a grainy sour coating. That same year the European version of Skittles Crazy Sours came out. They’re a bit different in that they don’t look different, but have a different set of flavors from the Fruits set but no tangy coating.

The colors are a little muted but easily identified as Skittles with the classic printed S on them. They did smell a little more than the standard Fruit Skittles. It was a light, fruity smell, kind of like Froot Loops or Freesias.

Since they don’t really look like the American Sour Skittles, I compared them to the American Fruits Skittles (on the left).

Green is the Sour Apple flavor, not lime. It’s the most artificial tasting of the bunch, with a more apple cider vinegar tartness than a Jolly Rancher, by far my least favorite of the bunch.

Yellow is Pineapple! What a delight. Why don’t they have any pineapple Skittles in the United States? I loved these. A mix of floral and canned pineapple.

Orange is Sour Mandarin according to Wikipedia. It actually doesn’t say what the flavors are on the package.  It is tangy, but not terribly intense. The orange original Fruits Skittle orange is equally mild in the flavor profile, but of course lacks that tartness.The flavor actually varied a bit from piece to piece, some were notably more sour than others. 

Pink is rather magenta and a Sour Raspberry flavor. The notes are really good, there’s the tartness, the floral berry notes and then a deeper boiled sugar flavor like jam.

Purple was hard to place at first, it’s Sour Cherry. The color is a true, bright purple, instead of the eggplant purple of the domestic grape version. It’s rather good, probably the most sour of all of Skittles in this package and with a really convincing sour cherry juice flavor. It has notes of currant and raspberry and pomegranate

There really is no comparison between the American Sour Skittles and the European Crazy Sours Skittles. I can’t say that I prefer them, but the zing was noticeable enough to say that they’re different, but perhaps my mouth has been spoiled by truly sour things so I didn’t find these rose to the level of crazy. I have to say that I prefer the European version to the American sours, but only because they’re not messy.

I don’t know the allergen status of these. Skittles stopped using gelatin a few years ago, though they’re not marked as Kosher.

Related Candies

1. Haribo Gold Bears from Turkey and Germany
2. Skittles Riddles
3. Haribo Maoam Fruit Chews
4. Skittles Blenders
5. New Flavors: Skittles Sour & Wonka Runts
6. Mentos - Pine Fresh (Pineapple)
7. Skittles from the UK
8. Skittles (Fruits, Wild Berry, Tropical, Smoothies & Sour)