Friday, March 14, 2008

Gimbal’s Gourmet Jelly Beans

Gimbal's Gourmet Jelly BeansGimbal’s is one of those candy companies where you’ve probably had their products, you just don’t realize it because they’re often sold in bulk. They have fun little sour jelly stars, sour sanded bears and licorice scottie dogs.

They also have an extensive line of Gourmet Jelly Beans.

They’re similar to Jelly Belly, they’re a similar smaller size, have different color codings for the flavors and in this instance, come in an assortment of dozens of flavors in one bag (41 in this case). I’ve seen these 7 ounce bags for sale at Walgreen’s, usually for about $2. I know that CandyDirect.com sells single flavors of these (and you may find them in bulk bins that aren’t identified by brand). At only $3.40 a pound online, that’s about a third off to half off the price of Jelly Belly.

Gimbal's Jelly Beans

I don’t have tasting notes for absolutely every flavor, but here are a few of the highlights of what I picked out of the mix over the past week:

Tiramisu - like a caramel coffee creamer.
Wild Cherry - tangy and with those dark woodsy cherry tones ... you know, cough syrup
Roasted Marshmallow - a slightly toasty/caramel vanilla
Bubble Gum - oh yeah, that’s bubble gum, I can almost taste the bad comic printed on wax paper
Strawberry Daquiri - rather nice, like strawberry & lime
Strawberry Cheesecake - like the daquiri without the twist of lime
Watermelon - yes, that’s watermelon
Root Beer - hey, that’s zazzy! I like it, I want a whole bag.
Chocolate - really, what are these doing in here, some things are simply not flavors, chocolate is one of them. Worst part is I kept thinking that they were either licorice or root beer and disappointed every time.
Red Delicious - tasted like a candied apple, not very strong or tart, just a sweet apple flavor.
Cinnamon - not as spicy as the wonderful Lava Balls (but there was supposed to be a sizzling cinnamon in the mix, but I never found it), but still a pleasant mild spice.

Gimbal's Jelly BeansYes, they have a buttered popcorn flavor ... but I picked all of those out and didn’t even taste them. I don’t care for actual buttered popcorn, nor things flavored like buttered popcorn.

Too many reds! There’s cherry, cinnamon, raspberry, fruit punch, red delicious. I had similar problems with the orange/yellow things. But this is an issue with many candies that have too many flavors in one bag.

I’d probably prefer to buy a more narrow mix of these, like just fruits or maybe carnival flavors (toasted marshmallow, bubble gum, red delicious, root beer… maybe someone needs to invent a funnel cake flavor).

The beans are nicely formed and all had an even amount of distinctive flavor.

Gimbal’s is not only Kosher, but also a facility free of most of the major allergens. They are tree nut/peanut, gelatin, gluten, dairy and egg free. So if you like Jelly Belly but have to avoid gluten and peanuts, this would be an excellent option. As a bonus, Gimbal’s are less expensive than Jelly Belly. Just harder to find.

Related Candies

  1. Gimbal’s Lavaballs
  2. Lifesavers Jellybeans
  3. Cadbury Dairy Milk Whispers
  4. Starburst and Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
  5. Jelly Belly - Full Line
Name: Gourmet Jelly Beans
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Gimbal's Fine Candies
Place Purchased: samples from All Candy Expo
Price: retail $2.00
Size: 7 ounces
Calories per ounce: unknown
Categories: Jelly, United States, Easter, Kosher

POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:57 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. I’m VERY partial to Jelly Belly Jelly Beans and having lived in the Bay Area and spending WAY too much money on Belly Flops, I’m biased.  But, I bet they’re worth a try.

    Also, I’ve linked to you blog…I LOVE it.  CAndy is my good friend. wink

    Comment by Doreen on 3/14/08 at 12:47 pm #
  2. Perhaps they make the excellent Members’ Mark ones at Sam’s Club.

    Comment by Dave on 3/14/08 at 3:04 pm #
  3. I remember about two years ago, I bought a large bag of these at Wal-mart.  I like the JBs better, because these are a bit soft, but I can share these with my vegetarian friend.

    Comment by Jess on 3/16/08 at 9:22 am #
  4. I am addicted to the Scottie dog-shaped licorice, which I can only find it at Trader Joe’s.

    I was surprised that you don’t mention them in your licorice review.

    Would you please add and comment on them.

    Thank you

    Comment by Christine Corgi on 3/16/08 at 3:42 pm #
  5. Hey Cybele,

    I’m not usually very tuned-in to jelly beans, in general (I like ‘em okay, but they’re pretty far down on my list).  However, I was perusing the Easter stuff at Walgreen’s yesterday and noticed BRACH’S HAWAIIAN PUNCH Jelly Beans.  I’m intrigued.  Have you had these?  They were only in big bags and I wasn’t ready for that sort of commitment. Shoot, I also noticed another brand that seemed funny/interesting, and now I forget what it was.  I’ll check when I go back. 
    I’m wondering if the Hawaiian Punch ones taste like actual Hawaiian Punch.

    Comment by Joanna on 3/17/08 at 5:46 am #
  6. You must have gourmet taste buds Jess.  I can’t tell any difference between the JB’s or Member’s Mark jelly beans.  Think that JB makes them for Member’s Mark..just like Pampers makes diapers for Walmart.

    Comment by Suki on 2/18/09 at 5:11 am #
  7. WERE CAN I FINE YOUR CANDY AT ANDWHAT STORE THANK YOU MARIE MAGEE

    Comment by MARIE MAGEE on 4/10/09 at 11:02 am #
  8. I love these jelly beans!!! I went on a personal tour and got to see how they are made, no wonder they are so delicious. I just cant always fine them. I wish more stores carried the candy.

    Comment by Liz Bergl on 6/10/09 at 2:19 pm #
  9. I have the forty one flavor bag and I must say slot of the reds seem impossible to identify. I also don’t like buttered popcorn flavor or the fact that there are coffee and chocolate.. Themed bags would make menlove them but for now I just like picking out the bright ones and keep my fingers crossed!

    Comment by Courtney on 4/29/11 at 3:51 pm #
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