Thursday, May 10, 2007

Bug Jar Candy

Buggin' Glow PopI’m not sure how it is that there’s an actual novelty candy category for Bug Jars, but perhaps I underestimate the fascination people have with insects. Okay, I like insects too and spent many an hour catching fireflies and watching ants. I like the idea of a candy container having a life after the candy is gone and the candy being themed to the package is a nice touch.

The Buggin’ Glow Pop by Impact Confections doesn’t really provide much candy. It’s a hard candy pop mounted to the underside of a plastic jar lid. The 21st century bonus here is that there’s a little button on the top that turns on an LED.

I struggled with the little button for a while because I wanted to figure out a way to keep it turned on. Alas, the button is too sensitive and I never did find a way.

Buggin' Glow PopThe pop itself is shaped like some sort of bug. I think it looks like a potato bug (not something I want to put in my mouth) or perhaps a chubby dragon fly. He’s holding his little hands together ala Mr. Burns saying, “Excellent.” This one is watermelon flavored. Which is a good summer flavor.

It’s tasty. Very sweet, not at all tangy. When you’re not eating it, it sits back on top of the jar easily or just set it upright. It’s little abdomen glows when you press the button. The whole jar is nice clear plastic, about the size of a large baby food jar. The plastic label comes off it quite easily so it’s a completely unbranded jar with a light on the top (and a few non-functioning air holes).

imageI was most interested in finishing the candy so I could see the inner works of the LED. It wasn’t easy once the candy was dissolved down to the base. This is not easy stuff to crunch when it’s so close to the batteries and light. The LED itself is encased in some tough plastic. The LED itself is white, not green like the candy (which makes sense because the pops are available in some other flavors that were of no interest to me when I picked this out and have since forgotten).

So now I have a jar that’s great for putting change in and I can actually tell what’s in there without turning on the lights. Maybe I’ll keep it in my purse.
Bug City Candy TartsThe Ferrara Pan Bug City Candy Tarts were more traditional novelty candy fare.

The jar is slightly bigger than the Buggin’ Glow Pop one and has a little purple flip top. Inside the jar are oodles of little compressed dextrose candies. (Like SweeTarts.) They’re shaped like little bug characters, vaguely related to the pictures on the label.

It’s a little disconcerting that these look like Flintstone’s Chewable Vitamins. Luckily they don’t taste like them. The candies come in three colors and flavors:

Bug City Candy Tarts

  • Green (apple) - a little tart, a little floral, vaguely green apple.
  •  

  • Purple (grape) - yeah, fake grape. I liked it. It could be tarter, but I was pleased enough to pick these out first.
  •  

  • Pink (cherry) - blechy, blechy. Cherry, followed by a slight bitter burn and an unpleasant aftertaste. 
  • The flip top has an inner thin foam liner that can be removed so that the air holes actually work and you can put bugs in the jar.

    These were both cute and fun and I’d buy either again if I had a kid and back yard to share them with. They were a little pricey at the Dollar General (um, a dollar each) but perhaps you’ll find them cheaper. As summer is coming up, candies that support kid’s curiosity and non-programmed play should have a place in most homes. Either one might make fun favors for a themed birthday party or tiny take-along item for a camping trip.

    Name: Buggin' Glow Pop & Bug City Candy Tarts
      RATING:
    • 10 SUPERB
    • 9 YUMMY
    • 8 TASTY
    • 7 WORTH IT
    • 6 TEMPTING
    • 5 PLEASANT
    • 4 BENIGN
    • 3 UNAPPEALING
    • 2 APPALLING
    • 1 INEDIBLE
    Brand: Impact Confections & Ferrara Pan
    Place Purchased: Dollar Tree (Harbor City)
    Price: $1.00 each
    Size: .92 ounces & 2.4 ounces
    Calories per ounce: 110 & 94
    Categories: Hard Candy, Chalk, Sour, United States, Impact Confections, Ferrara Pan

    POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:35 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

    Comments
    1. These look like something I could dig.

      (haha .... get it? Bugs? Dig?)

      And, I’d figure out a way to make the air holes work if I were a kid!

      Comment by Russ on 5/10/07 at 4:13 pm #
    2. Oh, man… I remember those bug city tart things from when I was a kid.  I just had a major trip down memory lane.  I think they had a screw-top back then, though.

      Comment by Sara on 5/10/07 at 7:26 pm #
    3. Cybele's avatar

      Russ - I’m pretty sure the little mock airholes could be poked out easily.

      Sara - I think you may be right about the screw top, there were threads on the top of the jar that would work.

      Comment by Cybele on 5/16/07 at 10:44 am #
    4. I used to love these. My grandma would buy them for me and my cousins all the time. I have been craving them for months now. I was looking to see if they still sold them in stores.

      Comment by Edna Janson on 4/21/15 at 8:45 pm #
    Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

    Next entry: Starburst Retro

    Previous entry: Theo 3400 Phinney Bars




     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ABOUT

    FEEDS

    CONTACT

    • .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
    • Here are some frequently asked questions emailed to me you might want to read first.

    EMAIL DIGEST

      For a daily update of Candy Blog reviews, enter your email address:

      Delivered by FeedBurner

    CANDY RATINGS

    TYPE

    BRAND

    COUNTRY

    ARCHIVES

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

     

     

     

     

    Facebook IconTwitter IconTumblr IconRSS Feed IconEmail Icon

    COUNTDOWN.

    Candy Season Ends

    -2537 days

    Read previous coverage

     

     

    Which seasonal candy selection do you prefer?

    Choose one or more:

    •   Halloween
    •   Christmas
    •   Valentine's Day
    •   Easter

     

    image

    ON DECK

    These candies will be reviewed shortly:

     

     

    image