Friday, June 21, 2013

Starburst Minis (Original)

Starburst MinisLast month at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, Wrigley’s showed off their new Starburst Minis. They were kind enough to send me some samples of the new version which should be hitting stores this month.

As you would expect from the name, they’re mini versions of the regular Starburst chews. They’re also unwrapped. (Some folks who make chains from the wrappers will not find this to be a selling point.) The flavors are the same as the Original packages: orange, lemon, cherry and strawberry.

Starburst Minis

A wrapped Starburst is .75 inches square and approximately .33 inches high. Each is approximately 5 grams. The new Minis are slightly more than .5 inches square, though the sides are not straight, they’re pinched and are .25 inches high. So my calculations show that they’re about one third the size.

What’s more interesting is the ingredients list. Starburst contain gelatin. So, they’re off limits to vegetarians and have never been Kosher/Halal to my knowledge.

Starburst Minis do not contain gelatin. They use pectin, which is derived from vegetable/fruit sources. In addition to the artificial colors, the other ingredient of concern to some folks would be the use of confectioners glaze, which has shellac in it. Shellac is derived from insects,so it is not a vegan product. It is gluten free. Also, oddly, this is made in Mexico. (I checked my other recent Starburst purchase of Starburst Very Berry but confirmed that they were made in the USA.)

Starburst Minis

Aside from the size and the enhanced ability to combine flavors, the other difference is texture. I found that the pieces were slightly aerated. They weren’t as dense as a regular wrapped Starburst, and also not quite as intensely flavored. But they’re softer and easier to chew. The chew had the same long-lasting flavor and lack of grain ... but a lighter dissolve on the tongue (I think because of the aeration).

They don’t do well in humid climates. Humidity in Los Angeles, lately, has been around 40% and they’ve done well, but one damp morning and they were rather stuck together. I left them in the office overnight where it’s air condition and they separated again. So if you’re in a humid area, you might want to stick with the wrapped version or keep these sealed in a zipper bag when you’re not busy consuming them.

The key feature to recommend the Starburst Minis is not their size, it’s the fact that they’re unwrapped. But I’m sure there are a lot of folks who will hone in on the fact that they don’t have gelatin in them. I don’t like the texture as much, but I can see the appeal of these, especially in circumstances where the wrappers are a hindrance, such as snacking on a plane or in a movie theater. But mostly I figure Skittles are mini Starburst - not quite the same flavor array, but a good approximation and they don’t stick together.

UPDATE 9/3/2014: I picked up another package, because I’ve noticed some comments about the flavor and texture that were inconsistent with my initial review. Since that was a year ago and the candy has been in production for a while, I thought perhaps there were differences when the candy sits around on shelves for a few months or if they’d tweaked anything.

I found them to be quite firm, tough even. It’s workable, but not a feature I find comforting. The flavor is also off, especially on the citrus flavors ... I definitely got a little note of something metallic with the lemon and orange. If this is the way everyone else is tasting them, I’d downgrade them to a 6 out of 10. I’m sticking with regular wrapped Starburst.

Related Candies

  1. KitKat Minis
  2. Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo - Part 2
  3. Starburst Very Berry
  4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis
  5. Skittles (Fruits, Wild Berry, Tropical, Smoothies & Sour)
  6. Starburst


Name: Starburst Minis (Original)
    RATING:
  • SUPERB
  • YUMMY
  • TASTY
  • WORTH IT
  • TEMPTING
  • PLEASANT
  • BENIGN
  • UNAPPEALING
  • APPALLING
  • INEDIBLE
Brand: Wrigley’s
Place Purchased: samples from Wrigley's
Price: $1.89 retail
Size: 3.5 ounces
Calories per ounce: 107
Categories: Candy, Mars, Wrigley's, Chews, 7-Worth It, Mexico

POSTED BY Cybele AT 1:21 pm Tracker Pixel for Entry     CandyMorselizationReviewMarsWrigley'sChewsStarburst7-Worth ItMexico

Comments
  1. I have not seen these in the UK yet.  I will look out for them as I like eating regular starburst.

    Comment by Gemma on 6/23/13 at 4:40 pm #
  2. This candy was horrible. Tastes nothing like starbursts. And has a weird taste to them. Orange ones tastes like stale tic taks, Red tastes like cherry medicine, pink Tate like regular tastes but off (added weird taste), and yellow is really lemony, bitter, and gross. Why would starburst make these? They are horrible!

    Comment by Brittany on 7/02/13 at 7:46 pm #
  3. In agreement with Brittany.  They are a shell of their larger neighbor.  The taste is way off and that is the most important part.  I hope they fix this.  Great idea meets bad execution.

    Comment by James on 7/27/13 at 7:50 am #
  4. I just tried them and thought they were very hard more of a taffy texture

    Comment by Jessica on 8/08/13 at 5:43 pm #
  5. you people are crazy, these are great and super addictive.

    Comment by scott on 8/14/13 at 6:55 am #
  6. I didn’t realize they’re unwrapped. I’m glad to know that because I was desperately trying to find some and now I don’t need to bother.

    I wanted to get them for my niece as part of her birthday present because she’s into American Girl dolls (and candy) and I thought the size might be just right for her to share with her dolls.

    But it’s just not as cute if they’re not wrapped!

    Comment by Christine on 8/22/13 at 11:54 am #
  7. These are terrible.  If they were not in starburst packaging I would think it is another brand of candy. 

    This candy comes off more as a small version of the fruit chews that you would get out of the penny candy shelf that were from mexico.

    Comment by Aaron on 8/29/13 at 6:01 am #
  8. Agreed, these taste little like the original. No flavor burst, they taste chemically coated and have a lousy aftertaste. Pass.

    Comment by Jason on 9/12/13 at 8:43 pm #
  9. Candy tasted like chemicals.  Very disappointing.

    Comment by Sarah on 9/19/13 at 1:07 pm #
  10. These were very good since i gave up eating regular starburst because of gelatin, but the shellac…maybe one bag was enough. I didnt realize the shellac, was only concentrating on the gelatin. Other then that i enjoyed them even if it was my first and last bag.

    Comment by dawn on 9/30/13 at 8:33 am #
  11. This was horrific. Truly awful. How could they mess up starbursts so badly?

    Comment by Rita on 10/11/13 at 10:48 am #
  12. Just bought these in Oregon. Definitely don’t have the same taste, texture and intensity as the regular size.

    Comment by shum on 10/13/13 at 9:20 pm #
  13. Just tried these, wife said, “look something new” I was immediately put off by that sound. My hunch was correct, like others mentioned they taste nothing like original. I typed; (starburst mini) into google and it auto finished it to; starburst mini taste different

    Comment by Sam on 10/16/13 at 7:12 pm #
  14. Love regular star bursts .  Will not buy these again.  Texture is all wrong.  It’s like bmichael Bolton hit some klunkers.

    Comment by Cherry Greene on 10/21/13 at 5:06 pm #
  15. These minis are amazing. I buy a bag every night after work. Whether they taste exactly the same or not…their “new” not “the same”...very good I love them. You people can shut up. Thanks! smile

    Comment by Stephanie on 10/26/13 at 12:58 pm #
  16. I just got them & they are terrible. Taste nothing like starburst, I won’t be purchasing these anymore. I’ll stick to the original & continue unwrapping.

    Comment by Keli on 11/01/13 at 11:38 am #
  17. These are terrible.  Nothing like the originals and they taste like flavored plastic.

    Comment by David on 11/17/13 at 4:19 pm #
  18. pros:
    same great taste
    good texture
    aeration=awesome
    halal, vegan, kosher

    cons: may occasionally stick together

    Overall:
    great take on the original starbursts. Worth the buy.
    Also check out starburst morphs

    -Will-I-Ams candy co.

    Comment by William Golub on 11/25/13 at 2:25 pm #
  19. I was shocked at how terrible this product tasted in comparison to the original. A chalky texture, bland after taste, with only a little burst of flavor that we have come to expect from the original. I have no idea what some posters are referring to when they state that this product tastes just like the original. Unfortunately, the internet is full of dishonest opinions motivated by financial concerns. Try it for yourself. You will likely be disappointed…once.

    Comment by Jason on 1/14/14 at 8:04 am #
  20. these are nasty, I was very disappointed. I had a craving for starburst and thought these would be a good idea so that I could have a few and well I had less than a few because they taste like CRAP

    Comment by Janelle on 1/28/14 at 11:04 am #
  21. Worst ever!!!

    Comment by Nickole Bianca on 1/29/14 at 4:37 pm #
  22. Love these!!! Best candy ever!!  I would love to buy cases of them cause they are hard to find.

    Comment by Traci Sargent on 2/01/14 at 10:19 am #
  23. I was excited to try these and am now horribly disappointed.  The mini unwrapped version taste NOTHING like my beloved Starburt candies!  The texture is repulsive and they have a chemical taste.  I thought it might be gum after the first bite.
    Big Fail!

    Comment by Chris on 2/11/14 at 12:50 pm #
  24. I am very surprised by these comments! I thought to myself “I wonder if people are liking these and they will keep ‘em around!” Now I’m scared! My boyfriend is threatening to make me join some kind of 12 step program because I cannot stop eating them!! “Share size!?” I don’t think so! I buy the much bigger bags and I enjoy the more waxy texture because they don’t stick to my teeth! I agree that they don’t taste the same as original ones, I don’t care, they’re their own special kind of freakin awesome! So far I’ve found 2 stores in town that have the giant bags (most gas stations have the so-called “share size”) and they are constantly running out. If something happens to these I will be that one wierdo buying them up off ebay. Guess I better just start ordering cases! Anyone that hates them can feel free to send any and all unfinished bags my way! Love em!!

    Comment by Rachael on 2/14/14 at 9:35 pm #
  25. Where the got more fpr sale in Portland.

    Comment by jonathan norman on 2/16/14 at 5:31 pm #
  26. I love them myself. I like that they are not like a mini Starburst. I would just take bites of a larger one if that was the case and not buy these. I like the texture more and I don’t know about some of you, but I like the flavor profiles. I hope they stick around(pun intended).

    Comment by Mike on 3/10/14 at 11:33 am #
  27. These are Horrible they taste like chalky pieces of plastic. I am highly disappointed in this product.

    Comment by Jennifer Hess on 3/26/14 at 1:16 pm #
  28. I like these MORE than the original Starburst. I like the chewy texture.

    Comment by Melonie on 3/30/14 at 5:50 pm #
  29. I wish I had read the comments here before I decided to buy these. It’s kind of like eating bubble gum that sort of dissolves in your mouth. Pretty disappointed as they taste nothing like the regular Starbursts, which are one of my favourite candies.

    Comment by Jen on 4/01/14 at 5:30 pm #
  30. I was so disappointed with the taste of this candy.. It taste like you are eating wax. I was so upset. Please recall this product and put the right flavor back into my favorite candy.

    Comment by Karoline on 4/05/14 at 5:53 pm #
  31. I love the new minis!

    Comment by Teresa on 4/06/14 at 6:00 pm #
  32. These candies have a bad after taste almost like your eating soap.

    Comment by Alexis on 4/15/14 at 7:40 pm #
  33. Also they taste like chemicals. I agree with Brittany up at the top

    Comment by Alexis on 4/15/14 at 7:43 pm #
  34. I thought that the mini starbursts tasted way better then the big ones in wrappers so do my friends. There more fruiting and yummier. Although I would think it would be cool if starburst can make some with out corn so ones who cant have them can eat them.

    Comment by Amberly on 4/25/14 at 9:49 am #
  35. Why would they make a mini/unwrapped version of a product, that is not same?? I’m not a huge fan.  I was expecting a smaller version of the wrapped version. I am sure that a version of the original would be a home run!! Plus make them in the USA.

    MEXICAN STARBURSTS ARE UNAMERICAN!!

    Comment by Matt on 5/18/14 at 7:56 pm #
  36. I love regular starburst so decided to try the minis. They taste horrible. Texture is bad and they all taste waxy. I am a candy person and these are just trash. Whoever was in charge of the product production should be fired. I’ll never buy these again! Epic fail.

    Comment by Ashley on 6/30/14 at 3:28 pm #
  37. These are NASTY and left a metallic-like aftertaste in my mouth for over an hour.  Blech. Never again. Perhaps one of the grossest candies of all time.

    Comment by Tish on 8/12/14 at 11:13 pm #
  38. Okay, Here’s what I don’t get.
    1. If starburst minis are bassicaly starbursts, but smaller, Why dont they inclued the same things?
    2. Are the starburst minis with diff. ingerents because of it’s size?
    if you know these answers… email me!
      .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Comment by Taniyah on 9/10/14 at 6:24 am #
  39. I just gave these a try.  These Starbursts are horrible!  I am a huge lover of starbursts.  These mini do not pack a punch of flavor like their predecessaors (The normal sized starbursts).  It is very disappointing to try these.  I thought that they would be super delicious, but was sorely mistaken.  I would not recommend this product to anybody.  I ended up throwing the bag away after trying it a few times. It is just very disguisting in the taste.  NOTHING Like the big starbursts!

    Comment by KayteeRose on 10/25/14 at 12:33 pm #
  40. Tastes nasty! Why are they called Starburst if theyre not made exactly like The original Starburst? They taste like plastic! I hope they fix this and use the exact ingredients.

    Comment by Rebecca on 12/12/14 at 11:52 pm #
  41. I wish you guys had every flavor of starburst in the minis. I like women is a lot better then regular starburst. It would be nice to have every flavor in the mini just saying

    Comment by tristen disomma on 1/18/15 at 7:22 pm #
  42. I LOVE regular Starbursts. These are AWFUL.  Completely awful.  Texture and flavor are way off.  I bought them yesterday was very displeased with how they tasted.  Thought I would try a few more today just in case my taste was off.  NOPE!  In the garbage they went.  Sad because I was pumped that I wouldn’t have to unwrap every single piece of those yummy scrumptious, beautiful tasty treats!

    Comment by Lindsey on 5/08/15 at 9:32 am #
  43. THESE CANDIES ARE AMAZING. THEY ARE BETTER THAN ORIGINAL STARBURST AND ....... IM REALLY HOPING THEY MAKE MORE FLAVORS THAN JUST FAVREDS AND ORIGINAL. HOW CAN YOU ALL HATE A TROPICAL PACK OF STARBURST MINIS ?

    Comment by Loso22 on 12/02/15 at 11:43 pm #
  44. YUCK!  These are awful Really false advertising because these are not Starburst at all.  The bag even shows real mini starburst.  Other than having the 4 original (actually Lime was an original instead of Cherry) flavors the taste, look and feel are nothing like starburst. They remind me of Chicklets (look like them), but not gum but candy.  Texture is nothing like a Starburst which throws the flavor off.  Will not ever buy again.

    Comment by Steve on 12/03/15 at 11:51 am #
  45. I finally just bought some and tried them for the first time.. 2 packages, actually! Buy 1 get one free at Walgreen’s. Well.. now I know why they were so discounted—They’re disgusting!!!

    They’ve got some powdery coating on the outside of them, which was to be expected so that they wouldn’t stick together. And honestly, this is the reason I never bought them before; I figured this much would be different. However it almost seems as if this powdery substance got mixed INSIDE of the candies!

    I find them chalky and dull in flavor. Very dry and not the normal “juiciness” we all know and love with Starburst regulars..

    Terrible, terrible product!! Complete thumbs down!!

    Starburst minis = Smaller version of Starbursts
    But not in this case! It’s like they made an off-brand copy cat that is gross!! Boo!!!

    Comment by Jae on 4/05/16 at 4:33 pm #
  46. I just bought some this morning to take to the movies and immediately threw them out after trying a few. They were so awful, stale gum like in texture, taste nothing like the original, and have an unpleasant aftertaste. I am a huge candy/starburst fan and these don’t even compare. Definitely not going to buy again.

    Comment by Stephanie on 4/22/16 at 6:38 am #
  47. These are terrible. As many others have said, they are way off in flavour and in texture. After eating the first one, I had to check the bag as when I first started chewing it felt like I was eating a stale piece of gum. They sort of…crumbled into my mouth.

    It’s been a while since I’ve thrown away candy, but I couldn’t get through the whole bag, even after three days of eating a couple at a time. Tossed half the bag in the garbage. Stick with the originals.

    Comment by Tim on 9/15/16 at 12:55 pm #
  48. Right off the bat, they smell like play-doh to me. They taste like chemicals. Whatever they coat these things with must also be used in play-doh. Yuck.

    Comment by Ty on 11/06/16 at 7:49 am #
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