Name: Junior Caramels
Brand: Tootsie
Place Purchased: 99 Cent Only Store
Price: $.99
Size: 4.5 oz
Type: Caramel
What took the Junior line so long to expand? Apparently they’ve been around for a while, but not everywhere (I guess they’re sold in Canada?).
Junior is currently owned by Tootsie Roll. Junior Mints have long been a favorite of mine. For the record, I like them equally as well as peppermint patties - their fillings are rather different with the only similarities being they’re both white and mint flavored.
Junior Caramels are just soft caramel balls about the size of a garbanzo bean in chocolate. What’s good about them is that the caramel is actually soft and chewy, unlike Milk Duds, which I think must be subsidized by the dental care industry because they’re probably designed for pulling out fillings. (Don’t get me wrong, I love Milk Duds ... especially since they started using real milk chocolate on them, but Milk Duds don’t love me.)
You can pop more than one in your mouth at a time. But they’re kind of fun to bite in half, too.
The caramel in the Junior Caramel doesn’t have that good burnt sugar/toffee taste that Milk Duds do, but they’re still a good chew. They’re sweet and need a little something to counter that. I’ve been eating this huge box with some raw almonds and pretzels, I’ve found it’s a good combo. I haven’t tried them yet at the movies, but I’d think that they’re the perfect movie candy because each one takes a while to chew and actually goes well with popcorn.
Rating - 6 out of 10
Other resources - find a rerun of this episode of Unwrapped to see them made!
That’s pretty cool that you get a lot of candy at the 99 cent store… I have been meaning to take a trip back (Dollar Tree) and try pick up some cheap food. The only candy I’ve gotten there before were Lime tic-tacs but those were pretty good… 3 pack for 99 cents.
My other favorite thing from the 99 cent store is the deal they have for 6 boxes of original mint Chiclets for 99 cents.
I just chew them up until the sugar is gone and then chew up some more.
I was kinda bummed by the price of the Junior Caramels though, I went into Rite Aid last night and they had them on sale for 89 Cents!
A deciding factor in “movie treats” is how well and far you can throw them at people talking.
Milk Duds get a ten on that scale.
Russ, it always seems that folks talking end up behind me. If only I could figure out a way to throw them without having to call attention to myself by turning around.
This probably calls for practice at lobbing them up and over backwards.
how about a slingshot and a mirror…too obvious? I bet with a little practice and finding the right candy they will get the point. I am thinking tic tacs to start.
Dear makers of Junior Caramels,
I am inquiring about the ingredients in the chocolate. It tastes as though there is a mint flavor similar to that of a junior mint; however, there is no ingredient listed that could explain such a phenomenon. Please help me find the answer!
Vladimir
Vladimir - you might have better luck if you contact the makers of Junior Caramels (Tootsie Roll) directly. I doubt they’re going to read your comment here and I am unable to assist you.
Once again Junior caramels fail to overpower Junior Mints.
I never knew there was that much a difference in American vs Canadian candy before reading your blog hehe!
but yeah, these have been around FOREVER here (I can remember at least 16 years.. but maybe more)
A little disappointed in the new Junior Caramel. A little too chalky & powder sugary for my taste. I prefer the caramel to stand on it’s on a little in contrast to the chocolate and the 2 flavors seem to blend together. Junior Mint reigns supreme!
I opened a box of Junior Caramels < Halloween> candy and all that was in there were 3 little pieces. I will never buy this candy again
JUNIOR CARAMELS ARE GREAT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE. VERY LIMITED IN MY AREA. THEY ARE CALLED JUNIOR CARAMELS NOW, BUT THEY WERE CALLED POM POMS IN MY DAY. SAME CANDY DIFFERENT NAME. EITHER WAY. GOOD AND YUMMY. ESPECIALLY WITH UTZ POTATOE CHIPS. SWEET AND SALTY. GREA…...T!!! LINDA/DC
Found only one box of these at a local grocery store. Didn’t know how to read the date code on box but bought and ate them anyway. The box said the caramel was soft but when I tried to chew it, my jaw almost broke. They were harder than Milk Duds but not brittle like toffee. I liked the idea of the caramel and hope I find a fresher supply somewhere but my experience so far has been disappointing. :(
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