Monday, March 20, 2006

SweeTarts: Chicks, Ducks & Bunnies (2006)

I’ve never known what to call SweeTarts as a candy category. In the industry they’re simply called “sugar candy” as opposed to “chocolate candy.” I think the best description is “chalk candy”, or “compressed sugar” because that’s what they are. There’s no cooking involved. Maybe they’re “raw candy”. NECCO wafers and Smarties would be considered a chalk candy too and perhaps Altoids and lots of other kids of mints.

imageIt doesn’t really matter how they’re made, what’s important is that this time of year they come in some special shapes. I usually pick up the egg shaped ones, but these looked even cuter. Upon opening up the bag the powerful waft of sour and sugar is quite apparent, as well as the “grape” flavor. The Chicks, Ducks and Bunnies are three different shapes (obviously) and come in Cherry, Lemon, Green Apple and Grape (no orange or blue punch here).

image

What’s especially cool is the sound a big bag of these makes. It sounds kind of like a bag of poker chips - they clank a bit. In fact, it might be fun to use them in the place of poker chips. If you drop one, it can shatter but very few in my bag were broken. What I liked about my particular bag was the lack of red ones, which I don’t care for and the high ratio of purple and yellow ones. I’m not usually fond of grape flavored things, but grape SweeTarts are just plain great. I don’t miss the old lime flavored green ones either, I think the newer green apple is far superior.

I’m a chomper. I don’t suck on hard candies and I certainly don’t suck on my SweeTarts. What do, though, sometimes, is dissolve them using the quick-saliva method (skip to the bottom if you get grossed out). You put the candy in your mouth and put it against your front teeth, bracing it with the tongue. Then suck really hard (keeping your lips closed), which pulls your saliva through the candy, softening it. Then a few quick bites and it dissolves in an incredibly satisfying manner.

Chocolate Obsession also reminds readers to “Make Mine Chocolate”, which is an education program to discourage people from giving live rabbits (and while they’re at it, I suppose ducklings and chicks) as Easter gifts. Of course you don’t have to make yours chocolate, you can make them SweeTarts!

UPDATE 3/9/2007: It appears that Nestle has discontinued these! You might want to contact them to voice your support for their return.

ANOTHER UPDATE 3/16/2007: I found them! They’re on sale at Walgreen’s this week - the 12 ounce bags are $1.50 each. Sooooo ...  they’re not discontinued, just not an official product any longer ... oh, and the green ones are gone completely. Or my two bags were freaks.

AND ANOTHER UPDATE 2/22/2008: It seems that Nestle has mucked with the colors/flavors again this year have removed the yellow/lemon in favor of blue/tropical punch. They color assortment is now: Red/Cherry, Purple/Grape & Blue/Tropical Punch. So sad ... only ONE flavor I’m interested in now.

Related Candies

  1. Peeps Mash Ups
  2. SweeTart Jelly Beans
  3. SweeTart Hearts
  4. Giant Pixy Stix
Name: SweeTarts Chicks, Ducks & Bunnies
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Wonka (Nestle)
Place Purchased: Rite Aid
Price: $1.89
Size: 12 ounces
Calories per ounce: 101
Categories: Chalk, United States, Nestle, Easter

POSTED BY Cybele AT 8:44 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. all other easter candy is inferior to these!  i could eat bag after bag after bag of these and never tire of them.  i need to go buy some right now.

    glad to hear that you’re such a fan as well.


    -jessica

    Comment by jessica on 3/20/06 at 10:24 am #
  2. I love candies that totally revamp themselves for holidays.  I’m sorry, but rewrapping a Snickers in pink and yellow wrapping (or red/green, orange/black, pink/red) does not a holiday candy make.

    I’m not a gigantic fan of SweeTarts, but I’m totally buying these for my candy jar at work.

    Am I sucker for marketing, or what?  smile

    Comment by Lesley on 3/20/06 at 11:08 am #
  3. We had the SweeTart Hearts at my desk in February… looks like I have to go get me some of these for Easter!

    Comment by :: jozjozjoz :: on 3/20/06 at 12:39 pm #
  4. I often eat my SweeTarts the same way. They just dissolver so beautifully. Although I miss the lime. It was one of my favorits and I’ve never been a big fan of apple flavored candies.

    Comment by g on 3/20/06 at 1:35 pm #
  5. I buy these festive candies every year. I’ve always loved SweeTarts. It would be interesting to see these in the chewy variety.

    Comment by Suzanne on 3/20/06 at 8:46 pm #
  6. Cybele's avatar

    Suzanne ... that’s a great idea! My mouth is watering now.

    G - I’m not a fan of green apple either, but I actually liked these.

    Joz - I totally missed the sale on the SweetHearts ... dang!

    Lesley - you and I are both suckers! Half the stuff I buy is just because I like the look of the it when I play with it. I had a great time taking photos of these. (Before I broke my camera.)

    Jessica - I finished this bag and there’s still 4 weeks before Easter!

    Comment by Cybele on 3/20/06 at 8:59 pm #
  7. Don’t tell my healthy food readers - but on the err… very rare occasion when I actually eat candy - sweet tarts are my fave, follwed closely by Dots!!

    Comment by Tanya on 3/21/06 at 2:00 am #
  8. I’ve always looked forward to these, and the SweeTart eggs. But this year, I found that these really hurt my teeth somethin’ fierce after a while. Ha. I haven’t been able to find the eggs.

    My favorites are the hearts, followed by the eggs, and then these. But this year they came strong with the skull and bones at Halloween. I think they moved to the top of the list.

    Comment by Dave on 3/25/06 at 7:33 pm #
  9. Cybele's avatar

    Dave - I haven’t found the eggs yet this year and I went to TWO places today looking for more of these. Sadly, I didn’t find ANY. Which of course doesn’t bode well for finding them ultra-cheap after the holiday.

    Tanya - have you tried the Tropical Dots yet? I like the smell of them, but found the taste a little disappointing.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/26/06 at 1:00 pm #
  10. I was at Longs Drugs a few days ago and these were on sale for 99 cents! I put three little Easter pails on my desk at work; one pail has Starburst pastel jelly beans (not bad, and very pretty!), another has Easter M&Ms;, and the other pail has these. Well, the jelly beans and M&Ms; aren’t moving, but the SweeTarts rapidly vanish every time I refill them. I never knew they were so popular. Needless to say, I stocked up when I saw them on sale!

    Comment by Lesley on 3/27/06 at 9:45 am #
  11. Cybele's avatar

    Lesley - I tried Long’s yesterday and couldn’t find any ... in fact they didn’t have ANY Wonka candies at all. I suspect that the sale meant that they were just cleaned out.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/27/06 at 11:05 am #
  12. I wasn’t able to find the Easter chicks & bunnies in any of the stores locally. I did find them at Shopko but that was 73 miles away.

    Comment by Suzanne on 4/10/06 at 4:27 pm #
  13. With Allergies these days, Sweet Tarts are the best. I’m interested in finding sweet tarts shaped like bride/groom or bells or hearts to give as Candy @ our wedding in O6’.  Does anyone know if this exists??

    Kris

    Comment by Kris on 5/22/06 at 6:27 am #
  14. As far as I know, SweeTarts hearts are only available during Valentine season. I’m sure there are other heart shaped candies you could use for a wedding.

    Comment by Suzanne on 5/22/06 at 11:36 am #
  15. Cybele's avatar

    Kris - congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

    Suzanne’s got it right - they do have heart shaped SweeTarts, but only at Valentines.

    However, I found these tart hearts as an alternative.

    Or check out CandyWarehouse’s whole wedding section.

    or Candy Favorites.

    Comment by Cybele on 5/22/06 at 5:50 pm #
  16. I have to say I disagree, I miss the lime flavor more than anything.

    Comment by J on 10/28/06 at 9:56 am #
  17. I love the soft, powdery ones.  As you say, they dissolve in an incredibly satisfying manner.  The hard ones are relatively tasteless, they clank but they aren’t fun to chew.  It’s easier to tell in regular SweeTarts what they’ll taste like, because they have little bubble-like discolorations on the powdery ones.  With these there’s no way of knowing, but I love them because they’re just so cute.  I’ll have to try your quick-saliva method next Easter

    Comment by Sophia on 11/07/06 at 4:15 pm #
  18. It’s looks like they got rid of the green ones altogether- my bag only has Cherry, Grape, and Lemon. I didn’t see any in the other bags either.

    Comment by Trish on 3/04/07 at 10:57 am #
  19. I have not been able to find the chicks, ducks, and bunnies this Easter season.:( I have checked 4 different Wal-mart stores in AR and theyhave none:(

    Comment by Mary on 3/05/07 at 1:14 pm #
  20. Have you checked Target? They have big Easter candy displays (at least the ones here in Massachusetts) and that where I got my bag. I’ve also seen them at CVS Pharmacy.

    I wish they put the orange flavor in this mix. That’s my favorite Sweetart flavor.

    Comment by Trish on 3/05/07 at 6:22 pm #
  21. Cybele's avatar

    Mary - I’ve not seen these yet either.

    If you feel like ordering online they have an excellent deal at Oriental Trading Company - only 79 cents for a 7 ounce bag:

    http://www.orientaltrading.com/application?namespace=browse&origin=searchMain.jsp&event=link.itemDetails&demandPrefix=12&sku;=/K1071&mode=Searching&erec=1&D=sweetarts&Ntt=sweetarts&Ntk=all&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&y=0&N=0&x=0&sd=CHICKS/DUCKS/BUNNIES+SWEETARTS+(7-OZ)

    We’re still more than a month out from Easter, they may still make an appearance in stores.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/07/07 at 8:45 am #
  22. They’re out of stock too!  I’ve gone to about half a dozen Duane Reades and CVSs and can’t find them anywhere.  Did they discontinue my favorite spring candy?  Say it’s not so.

    Comment by Laura on 3/09/07 at 9:24 am #
  23. Cybele's avatar

    Laura - I’ve done some digging around and it appears that they HAVE discontinued the Chicks, Ducks & Bunnies. Dangit!

    Here’s the only stuff I can find anywhere on the net:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Sweetarts-Chicks-Ducks-Bunnies-Sweet-Tarts-Sweetart_W0QQitemZ230101656074QQcategoryZ38174QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    Pretty pricey though.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/09/07 at 9:44 am #
  24. I have to say I was waiting for these to put on the shelves( get mine @Target) I ended up being disappointed by the fact that the green ones are GONE…. Green was my fav. They are not the same with no green you need all 4 flavors.

    Comment by Lauren on 3/22/07 at 7:09 am #
  25. I miss my green SweeTarts!!! Now I have fewer options for melding flavors together… one of my all-time favorite pastimes.

    Comment by John on 3/31/07 at 9:44 am #
  26. I don’t think they were ever discontinued, but I was dissapointed to find green was missing this year. I emailed them to ask why, and they responded just to say green wasn’t part of the line-up. Thanks for the news flash. I felt like I was taking crazy pills!

    Comment by Bryce on 4/04/07 at 9:40 pm #
  27. These are somehow superior to normal, everyday SweeTarts…I’m not sure how, but they are better…My grandmother buys them every year for me and my brothers…I’m 20 and I still love ‘em!

    Comment by Chelsea on 10/09/07 at 11:02 am #
  28. My favorite Easter candy too!!

    Comment by Amy on 1/30/08 at 12:52 am #
  29. Heh, I’m 40-something and I still like SweeTarts.  They’re not an everyday thing, because they do tend to overload the tastebuds and make everything else taste bland for hours.  But hoo-boy!, for a good ol’ powerfully sweet snack that instantly satisfies, SweeTarts and Smarties are right up there.

    Comment by glucose gourmand on 2/10/08 at 8:36 pm #
  30. I was so disappointed that ALL of the Valentines Day candy (read: SweeTart Hearts) was gone on 2-15!  I had hoped to score another bag, maybe at a sale price too. 

    Now I see that I need to go on a bunny or egg hunt next.  If they’re as good as the hearts, I will have to load up this time.

    Is this the SweeTart Anonymous board?

    Comment by Kyaku on 2/18/08 at 7:35 am #
  31. they are harder than i like, but i still put out $2 for a bag of them every year. And yes. made as heck that there are no green or yellow and its been replaced with that nasty tropical fruit flavor

    Comment by leah on 2/21/08 at 4:02 pm #
  32. WHAT?!? Are they really discontinued? WHAT is Wonka doing? First they discontinue the chewy tart ‘n tinys (if you like the sourness in sweet tarts, you’d LOVE these). Now chicks, ducks, and bunnies. It’s just too much to bear. I can’t stand it!!

    Comment by Mary on 3/06/08 at 4:58 am #
  33. No they aren’t. I saw a bunch of them in CVS’s easter candy display.

    Comment by Trish on 3/06/08 at 1:48 pm #
  34. Plus, that probable discontinuation update (which, if you read the very next update was not true) was posted one years ago today.

    Comment by Trish on 3/06/08 at 1:51 pm #
  35. I emailed Wonka to complain about the disappearance of yellow/lemon, and I was told that marketing took it out of the lineup in favor of blue (tropical fruit or raspberry, I’m not sure which.) Blue is NASTY. They’re sending me coupons for free Wonka products. I’m not buying any more Sweetarts until yellow is back.

    The lady at Wonka who responded said she would forward my comments to marketing. Maybe if enough people request yellow again, they’ll bring it back. I went through their website at nestleusa.com and clicked on “contact us.”

    Comment by Jaime on 3/21/08 at 6:10 am #
  36. The flavors are weird this year, but they’re still such pretty candies, sitting in a candy dish.  And I threw a baby shower recently and tossed these onto the tables; everyone thought they were adorable!

    Comment by Lesley on 3/21/08 at 8:42 am #
  37. Can anyone tell me where to find these in 2009?

    Comment by Jennifer on 3/03/09 at 4:28 pm #
  38. Cybele's avatar

    Jennifer - I’ve seen them at KMart, RiteAid & CVS so far this year. I’m pretty sure Target has them as well.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/03/09 at 4:45 pm #
  39. Thank you so much for your help!! I can’t wait to go get some ;0)

    Comment by Jennifer on 3/04/09 at 11:42 am #
  40. Why did they discontinue the lemon flavor? So many people will not buy sweettarts any more until the yellow is returned.
    Blue is awful.

    Comment by rhonda Fine on 3/07/09 at 7:56 am #
  41. I am addicted to these!  I buy bags upon bags of them at easter!  I always buy the bags of the hearts at Valentines.  LOVE THEM!!!!  I will pick through the bags to find the “powder ones” eat them first then eat the other ones later!  I want to know why I can’t buy bags of the powdered ones!  Those are the best!

    Comment by Cheryl on 3/11/09 at 1:41 pm #
  42. Oh goodness these have been my FAV since i was able to start eating them!! I go through bags of these during this time…I love crunching them while having ice in my mouth and just chopping away…They are soooo sweet and tart that way…Try eating them with ice, i promise you’ll like it!!

    Comment by Amanda on 3/11/09 at 10:48 pm #
  43. I’ve had success finding these at Walmart and CVS.  I’m stocking up this year since I tore through three bags last year and spent the other eleven months craving them.  So good.

    Comment by Aimee on 3/15/09 at 3:06 pm #
  44. Why no yellow and green??
    This disturbs me.
    I dont like it at all! I do however like the blue… but WTF on the greens and yellers??

    Comment by Lilliana on 3/17/09 at 10:52 am #
  45. I don’t like the blue and miss the yellow and green.  I know it doesn’t affect the flavor or anything… but I’m definitel not as big of a fan as I have been in the past anymore… Sucks.

    Comment by Justin on 4/08/09 at 8:57 am #
  46. God, i love these so much. These candies probably the only reason i look forward to Easter every year.

    I just ate half a bag of them :D

    Comment by veyn on 4/15/09 at 12:59 pm #
  47. I want the lemons flavor back. I remember back when I was a kid we could buy the three pack gigant sweettarts at the movies. I LOVE THE LEMON FLAVOR RABBITS, I buy the roll of sweetarts and you cant find lemon flavor. What is up with that. I look forward to lemon flavor what can I say. LEMON IS THE IN THING.

    Comment by MICHELE on 6/07/09 at 6:29 pm #
  48. I love Sweetarts, I just wish I could get them without the disgusting artificial orange flavor.
    I have to throw those out…  Actually, I wish I could just buy a bag of red ones.

    Comment by Kurt on 8/09/09 at 9:27 am #
  49. Does anyone remember the Valentines Day Sweet Tarts with cupids and hearts with arrows through them?  They came in purple, red and white and I loved them but haven’t seen them in years.  I’m assuming they were discontinued, but I have no idea.

    Comment by Karen on 1/06/10 at 2:36 pm #
  50. I have looked everywhere in my hometown for these, and I can not find them! ( the easter mix) I am so upset! I look so forward to this every year!! Help!!

    Comment by Andrea on 3/03/10 at 6:58 am #
  51. I too have been searching for these sweet treats. They are my Easter fav, and I can’t find them anywhere. If anyone has spotted them in a store, please let me know.

    Comment by Amy on 3/04/10 at 4:26 pm #
  52. Cybele's avatar

    Amy & Andrea - I’ve seen them at KMart, Target, Walgreens & RiteAid on the West Coast so far.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/04/10 at 4:38 pm #
  53. Best candy ever

    Comment by jason shamblin on 3/04/10 at 6:46 pm #
  54. Love love love CDB’s (chicks, ducks, and bunnies)!

    Karen - I remember the valentine’s assortment with the hearts, cupids, etc.  The white/lemonade ones were my favorite.  I was really upset when they discontinued them a few years back….

    Comment by Jessica on 3/08/10 at 1:38 pm #
  55. Someone please tell me that they have them in Florida… im freaking out and my boyfriend’s losing patience with our stops at every walmart, target or walgreens…

    Comment by Jenna on 3/16/10 at 1:30 pm #
  56. Just bought them at Target in Dallas.  CVS did not have any in stock.

    Comment by Robert on 3/28/10 at 4:19 pm #
  57. LA CVS’s seem to have them!

    Comment by kitty on 4/04/10 at 11:17 pm #
  58. Where can I find Chicks, Ducks, and Bunnies this year?

    Comment by Amanda Jones on 2/25/11 at 9:43 am #
  59. I have been searching for these candies in central ohio they are my sons and my favorite easter candy.  cvs here doesn’t have them. is anyone out there in central Ohio that has found them?

    Comment by marlene spring on 4/22/11 at 9:01 am #
  60. I found these in MA and CT this year in Target and CVS. UNFORTUNATELY, this year it’s a mix of only pink, purple and blue chicks, ducks, and bunnies. No more yellow or green, so the mixture isn’t as eye catching or flavorful as it used to be. They are still great, but I was disappointed.
    The packaging didn’t allow you to see what the mix looked like prior to purchasing.

    Comment by duvak on 4/28/11 at 6:34 pm #
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