Gimbal’s LavaBalls aren’t a new product, I even saw them at the 2006 All Candy Expo. But I never saw them in stores (except online in 5 lb boxes), so I was hesitant to write about something that you couldn’t get.
Well, I found them, at Walgreen’s (and they’re probably in other places) ... so here’s a review!
Gimbal’s is an old San Francisco panned confectioner, run by the same family for four generations. They make a line of gourmet jelly beans, some fun licorice product and pectin/jelly items. The bonus with Gimbal’s (besides the high quality) is that their facility is practically allergen free ... their candies are free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, gelatin, gluten, eggs and dairy. They’re also Kosher. (They do use Soy.)
LavaBalls are chewy hot cinnamon candies. Like their name implies, they’re a spicy cinnamon.
They’re like a giant jelly bean. The gumdrop center is lightly spiced, kind of like a Spearmint Leaf, mild but still making a generous contribution to the overall flavor. On top of that is a little layer or super-spice that’s covered by the rest of the nicely warm candy shell.
They’re about the size of a marble, which is a satisfying size for a sizzling chew. They’re not too hot for me, but there’s a pleasant burn and sometimes they’ll catch me a little bit with a tickle in my throat.
The balls are about the size of a marble, so they’re bigger than their newest competitor, the Chewy Atomic Fireballs (which are not allergen free) and marginally spicier and just deeper in flavor.
I enjoy these a lot and would definitely find them good traveling candies, a movie watching snack and good for swift novel-writing. Each LavaBall has about 13 calories each.
They do contain beeswax (and artificial colors/flavors) so may not be suitable for vegans.
Related Candies
- Chewy Lemonheads & Atomic Fireballs
- Atomic Fireballs
- Hot Tamales and Hotter Tamales
- Jelly Belly - Full Line
- Chimes Ginger Chews
Name: |
LavaBalls |
RATING:
- SUPERB
- YUMMY
- TASTY
- WORTH IT
- TEMPTING
- PLEASANT
- BENIGN
- UNAPPEALING
- APPALLING
- INEDIBLE
|
Brand: |
Gimbal's Fine Candies |
Place Purchased: |
samples from All Candy Expo |
Price: |
unknown |
Size: |
7 ounces |
Calories per ounce: |
99 |
Categories: |
Cinnamon, Jelly, United States, Kosher |
One word: mmmmmmm
(Only 49,999 left to go.)
Their customer service is AWESOME! I called the number on the back of the Gourmet Jelly Bean bag to get more info. The lady who answered offered to send me samples. That was a couple of months ago and I had almost forgotten, when last Friday I received a box containing 2 20 oz. bags of the jellybeans, 2 13 oz.bags of the LavaBalls, and one 14 oz. bag of the Cherry Lovers chews, as well as 4 little calendars that tell you the days holidays fall on thru 2011! VERY IMPRESSED and more than I was expecting! Love me some Gimbals!!!!
You folks are a dream come true to food allergy folk like me. Not only are your items SAFE for my family, the taste is incredible and it is fight in this household.
Seriously, please never stop your amazing food allergy policy. My nut, dairy and seed allergic children are limited on quality tasting treats and your items are what we use for special celebrations.
Thank you!!!
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