Here’s what I’m giving out for Halloween this year. I decided that it was more important to take a stand against child slavery in West Africa than give out the most loved objects of Halloween, such as Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Hershey’s, Nestle and Mars have had more than 10 years to assure consumers that they’re not buying from growers that enslave children on their cacao plantations. When they have, then I’ll start giving it out to children.

So to avoid this issue completely I bought sugar candy - that is, candy made without chocolate.

Airheads - multiple flavors of chewy fruity flavors. Made in Kentucky, USA.
Chick-O-Stick Nuggets - peanut butter flaky goodness. Made in Texas, USA.
Annabelle’s Abba Zabba & Big Hunk - nutty nougat. Made in California, USA (by union labor).

What I lack in chocolate, I’ll likely make up for with quantity and variety. We usually only get between 25 and 40 visitors. With more than 300 pieces of candy, each kid gets a heaping adult-dispensed handful. And it won’t melt. (Yes, it’s still in the 80s here this week in Los Angeles.)

So what are you giving out for Halloween this year?

Related Candies

1. Look! and Big Hunk
2. Airheads
3. Abba Zaba
4. Chick-o-Stick

I reviewed Candy Blox a few years ago (here).

I did a candy buffet for the Night of Writing Dangerously write-a-thon/fundraiser for National Novel Writing Month back in November. I thought that the Candy Blox would be a perfect little treat for folks looking for something to play with and eat.

What surprised me was that they’ve changed a little since the last time I tried them. They’re much brighter and quite a bit more dense. There are fewer colors (yellow, blue, green & red) but that makes them look much more like Legos. They’re still stackable and realistic.

I’m a big believer in gifts of insanely large quantities of mundane products. So if there’s a Lego fan in your life, why not 11 pounds (that’s the box it came in, I ordered it from Jack’s Wholesale Candy & Toy in downtown Los Angeles)?

Oh, the other thing I found out? When researching the vegan status of all the candies I offered at the buffet, I had to write to Tootsie, who makes these, and they said that the Calcium Stearate comes from an all vegetable source. So these are actually vegan!

What sort of treats did you pass out this year to the kids? What’s your favorite this time of year?

Did you eat your fruits and vegetables today? Runts don’t count.

Name: Organic Licorice Twists
Brand: Newman’s Own Organics
Description: The first licorice twist made with organic ingredients comes from Newman’s Own Organics. It’s available in today’s favorite flavors, black and strawberry, as well as two new fruit flavors, pomegranate and tangerine. The candy is low in fat and sodium, and is free from trans fat and cholesterol. $2.99 per 5-oz. package
Introduction Date: 6/1/2010
Notes: I’ve had organic licorice before ... never in a twist form, but I have my doubts that it’s that different. It sounds good but very pricey.

Name: Bubble Paste
Brand: Ludo LLC
Description: Unlike regular bubblegum, the Bubble Paste user gets to squeeze it out! So if you want a lot squeeze, squeeze, squeeze! The gum will retail between $0.59 to $.79/unit Comes in Strawberry and soon Sour Apple and Grape.
Introduction Date: 9/2010
Notes: You may want to read the entire press release here. There are too many inaccuracies (and insulting things) in there for me to cover comprehensively. The short: Dylan Lauren deserves to just be referred to as her own entity, not as the daughter of Ralph Lauren at this point. Two: bubble gum in a tube has been done before, several times. I remember Bazooka back in the 80s. The gum is for kids but contains artificial sweeteners. Finally, the press release closes with this I would have loved being an automobile manufacturer. However, I knew that was so unrealistic due to the capital requirements. Seriously, I’m supposed to want to buy from a guy who doesn’t really want to be doing this for a living? It’s a press release!

Name: Cinnamon Bun Bites
Brand: Taste of Nature
Description: Delicious bite size cinnamon bun pieces in a creamy white chocolatey coating. Both egg free and Kosher.
Introduction Date: June 2010
Notes: Made by the same folks that brought you Cookie Dough Bites. They sound absolutely dreadful. They sound so bad I’m really looking forward to them. (But that egg-free thing is probably a big selling point right now.)

Name: Gummi Bear-Rings
Brand: E-Frutti
Description: Gummi Bear Rings made with real fruit juice with great play appeal in an array of fruit flavors that every kid loves. 
Introduction Date: unknown
Notes: Dang these are cute. The pun possibilities abound! You could be traveling with someone and get turned around and then say, “Lost? Can I help you get your Bear-Rings?” Oh, I’m a stitch!

My biggest concern is that they won’t fit on my big fingers. I have no idea where to get them, but I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled.

Name: Starburst GummiBurst Flavor Duos
Brand: Wrigley (Mars)
Description: New Starburst GummiBursts Flavor Duos brings together two juicy fruit flavors in each piece! Flavor Duos delivers a gummy outside with a different fruit-flavored liquid center for a double burst of delicious fruit flavor! Strawberry Watermelon, Cherry Fruit Punch, Green Apple Strawberry & Lemon Cherry.
Introduction Date: 08/30/10
Notes: I’m not big on these new oozy gummis, but I think that Starburst is going in the right direction making them flavor combinations instead of single flavors (like the Skittles Crazy Cores). Now they just need to start making them in citrus flavors.

Name: sweetriot yumBar
Brand: Sweetriot, Inc.
Description: 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: March 10, 2010
Notes: I haven’t tried these. I’ve seen them, but they just don’t speak to me for some reason. It might be the funky capitalization/lower case thing going on, it could be that pieces are always spelled ‘peaces’ or it could be that I’m just too grouchy for something with yum in the name.

All photos/images courtesy of the respective manufacturer

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) used to put ads in popular magazines about candy. This one appeared in LIFE magazine on October 15, 1945.

See in largest format to read or perhaps even print out.

I love the description at the bottom of the NCA’s goal: an organization devoted to maintaining high standards of quality in candy and the dissemination of authoritative information on its use as an energy-producing, morale-building food. I agree, by the way, I think candy has great morale-building potential.

There are some enigmatic questions and answers, such as Did the Pilgrims eat candy? (yes) and Is candy mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays? (yes) - wouldn’t you like to know what candy that was?

“If I could sit high, how much greater I’d be!
What a king! I’d be ruler of all I could see!”
So Yertle, the Turtle King, lifted his hand
And Yertle, the Turtle King, gave a command.
He ordered nine turtles to swim to his stone
And, using these turtles, he built a new throne.

from Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (link)

Sometimes I have stuff that I just do a short review on. In this instance, I just want to tell you about some things that I bought and might have eaten. But I’m not going to review them. You might enjoy the photos and of course feel free to add your review in the comments.

What is it? Haribo Cola Wheels

Why I Bought Them: They were pretty and I love cola as a flavor.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I lost them. I know they’ll turn up, but they were just in a paper bag, so they can’t possibly be fresh now. (But I’ll probably eat them anyway.)

What is it? Bourbon Bit Assortment (Banana)

Why I Bought Them: It’s Japanese. A friend at work gave me a bag of them. In the bag are three varieties, I think Vanilla Creme, Chocolate Creme and Banana Creme. But the wrappers are in Japanese, so I’m only guessing.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I haven’t been able to find them in stores and ended up sharing most of them with co-workers. Still, they’re nice little wafer layers with creme covered in decent chocolate.

What is it? Mehlenbacher’s Taffy Assortment

Why I Bought Them: Back in the spring I went to Paso Robles for the weekend. We stopped at the farmers market in the square and I saw a stand for this taffy. It was so cute and I’d actually read about them online before my trip. So I picked up this big assortment. The pieces are huge, like cigars. The flavors also sounded great, especially Root Beer.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I lost them for a while. I have this horrible habit of tucking candy away in boxes or coolers to keep it fresh, but then forgetting that I had it or where I put it. And now it’s too late to eat them for review.

What is it? Marshmallow Bunny

Why I Bought Them: it was cute and I wanted to take its picture.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: It’s just another pink Easter marshmallow bunny made in China. There’s not much else to say any longer about those.

What is it? Hammond’s Peanut Butter Sticks

Why I Bought Them: I got this as a sample at the Fancy Food Show back in January. I’ve been looking for them in stores and online but haven’t seen them.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: It was dang tasty, but again, it’s hard for me to review stuff that isn’t easily acquired. But I’ll keep my eyes out, if I see them again, I’ll buy them and review them for real.

What is it? Raleigh Bar from Xocolatl

Why I Bought Them: This was a sample from the Fancy Food Show. The bar is “a layer of honey pecan chocolate nougat, topped with our signature salted caramel.” I thought it was nice, but didn’t really get a great feel for it (it’s kind of tiny, like a large bonbon).

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I have this thing about bacon. I know there’s no bacon in this, though there’s a version that has bacon in it. I don’t like bacon. I don’t like pork, I don’t even like meat. I really don’t like it to even be adjacent to my chocolate. It’s my own baggage and it’s not fair, but that’s why I haven’t reviewed a lot of Vosges lately and some other candies that I’m sure are great ... simply their proximity to bacon.

What is it? Boyer Peanut Butter Pretzel - it’s a pretzel dipped in peanut butter and then coated in milk chocolate.

Why I Bought Them: I picked these up as a sample. I photographed them.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I can’t find them for sale anywhere. Or at least that was the problem. I ate them but didn’t make notes well enough for review. Then I saw them for sale while I was in Ohio.

What is it? Madame Chocolat crispy rice squares dipped in chocolate

Why I Bought Them: I went to Beverly Hills late last year to visit Teuscher. Since I’d already paid for parking I took a stroll around for other chocolate opportunities. I went into a little shop called Madame Chocolat and picked up a few items. It was expensive stuff (their fine boxed chocolates) but I also got this crazy little item - it’s not like a marshmallow rice crispy treat. It’s more like sugar sweetened cereal, held together with that crispy syrup coating. Then the bottoms are dipped in very, very good dark chocolate.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I dunno.

What is it? Ethel’s Chocolate Beer Chocolates & Caramels

Why I Bought Them:  Last year I also went to Las Vegas to the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) Show. Instead of seeing Bill Clinton give his keynote address I went to the Ethel’s Chocolates factory and botanical gardens. I bought a few things there (two different assortments plus some hot chocolate) but never got around to reviewing it.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I thought they were good, and the botanical gardens are charming. But I just couldn’t figure out what else to say about it.

What is it? Xocai Power Squares

Why I Bought Them: I picked up two little squares as a sample last year at the Los Angeles Chocolate Salon (held in Pasadena). I’ve been curious about the chocolate brand for a while now, but they’re like Avon, you have to buy them from someone who sells the stuff and they only seem to sell huge quantities. I just wanted to try it.

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: I don’t like to review stuff that’s not available for retail. (This is the same reason I don’t cover the Dove Chocolate Discoveries stuff.) I’ve also been turned off by the extreme marketing I’ve seen - especially a lot of email I got early on and comments I considered spam on this site. I took that one bite, but I can’t say that it impressed me enough to eat the rest of it or open the second one. But I couldn’t muster much of a review otherwise.

What is it? North Island Caramels - Strawberry, Guarana & Roast Corn

Why I Bought Them: How could I not buy them? Look at those fabulous packages! I actually ordered them online from AsianFoodGrocer.com

Why I’m Not Going to Review Them: Aside from the packaging, I didn’t have much to say about them. They’re milky chews, not quite caramels. The flavors were good, I especially liked the guarana, which tasted like a cross between cola and bubble gum. But I took a lot of pictures of them, so it seems like a waste to not share them.

Related Candies

1. Short & Sweet: Dollar Store
2. Short & Sweet: Summer Bites
3. Short & Sweet: Tropical Flavors
4. Things I’m Not Going to Get Around to Reviewing
5. Candy Dump 2008 part 2
6. Candy Dump - International House of Chocolate