Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Black Jack

Sometimes I wish that candies were made in different flavors. Like, I used to wish that Starbursts came in cinnamon, mint and licorice flavors.

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It turns out that product already exists. BlackJack is a licorice (actually anise) flavored chew that’s made in the shape of little square pieces that are sold in a roll.

What was dissapointing about them is that they’re slightly tart. I’d expected a smooth, sweet and spicy chew filled with licorice goodness. Instead it’s slightly lemony (citric acid is in the ingredients), with a tart bite and not much of a licorice flavor to it. It smells a lot like anise, but doesn’t really deliver. I like the combination of licorice and lemon, which is done really well in the Lemon Lakritsi from Finland.

Bassett’s, now owned by UK candy giant Cadbury, is well known for their Allsorts, and I was hoping this was a pocket version of them. They may just take some getting used to, but I’ve had this pack for quite a while and after eating about three of them, I have no desire to continue trying to like them. I’m sure they have their fans, but I don’t think I’ll ever be among them.

Name: BlackJack
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Bassett's and Beyond
Place Purchased: Sainsbury's (West Los Angeles)
Price: $1.39
Size: ~1.5 ounces
Calories per ounce: unkown
Categories: Chew, Licorice, United Kingdom, Cadbury,

POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:42 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. This is a stupid question, but, does it taste like black licorice? I’m assuming it does.

    Comment by El on 1/17/06 at 12:05 pm #
  2. on an un-candy-related note, is/was today your birthday? if so, happy b-day…

    Comment by tg on 1/17/06 at 10:28 pm #
  3. Cybele's avatar

    El -  it’s not quite a black licorice taste like you’d find in black licorice. There’s no molasses in it, so it’s kind of missing that “woodsy” taste. Anise and Licorice aren’t quite the same (anise doesn’t have the laxative effect that licorice can have, so it’s probably a plus).

    TG - yes, Monday was my birthday. Thanks for the kind wishes.

    Comment by Cybele on 1/18/06 at 11:22 am #
  4. hey happy b-day belatedly… I’m a bit intrigued if this candy is lemony mixed with licorice, I don’t think I’ve had that combo before.

    Comment by Bryan on 1/20/06 at 4:18 pm #
  5. Cybele's avatar

    Bryan - thanks for the well-wishes.

    It’s not really a zesty lemony flavor, just a sour bite to it. I might have to eat some more of them to narrow it down. (I just need to find them now.)

    Comment by Cybele on 1/20/06 at 5:15 pm #
  6. I just found the awesomest licorice maker, Katje’s. I found them in Cost World Plus, though I think you can purchase it online for cheaper. I’m not sure about the licorice flavored candies, but the fruit flavored ones are very good, make with real fruit pulp and juice.

    Comment by Jamie on 4/03/06 at 2:45 am #
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