The mallow family contains several plants we see growing wild. Common mallow is the one most easily found, and was growing all over my friends Adirondack farm. It seems to love disturbed soil and likes to grow along fences, barn walls, curbs, and other obstructions. Relatives include cotton, okra, hibiscus, and durian. The original marshmallows were made from a plant actually called marsh mallow by boiling pieces of the root of the plant in water, adding sugar and whipping. Then, the thick, white confection was dropped in spoon fulls onto waxed paper to dry into candy.
Ahh, Twix. The pinnacle of snackitecture. I mean, a buttery cookie draped with caramel, then cloaked in milk chocolate? And then to have not one, but two bars in each package?! Frank Gehry himself could not have constructed a more impressive confectionery structure.
Now, I usually see no reason to mess with excellence, but those evil geniuses over at Mars have a history of riffing on perfection. Case in point: TwixPB. With peanut butter in lieu of caramel and a chocolate cookie base, it is a decadent, special occasion kind of Twick.
Given this example, I do not deign to question Mars' judgment. So when I found Twix Java (boasting coffee caramel and chocolate cookie covered in milk chocolate), I didn't recoil in horror. Instead, I chose to embrace their vision and put my faith in the Artificial Flavorteers.
Although Twix Java is by no means better than Twix original, it is successful in its own right. The coffee flavor is so bright (it tastes the way Sanka smells), it actually pairs well with the slapdash chocolate cookie and milk chocolate robe. Think of it as a Starbucks caramel mocha in candy bar form: A bastardization of many great things, but so trashily delicious, you just don't care.
As a kid, I didn't really care too much for jelly beans. The obligatory jelly beans in my Easter basket every year were some of the last candy eaten, and only because, as a kid, I just couldn't let any candy go to waste. I was initially skeptical of Jelly Belly's because of my childhood aversion to jelly beans: I just didn't think anything classified as a jelly bean could be good. Boy, was I wrong, and I'm glad someone convinced me to give them a try.
Now, you can help Jelly Belly decide on their next flavor jelly bean. Out of thousands of entries, Jelly Belly has the choices whittled down to five. The person who contributed the winning bean flavor gets $10, 000, but sadly the voters only get the satisfaction of voting. Fortunately for me that's pretty good in my book. You have five choices, all of which sound interesting, and you have until August 31 to vote. I think I'm going for the sublime chili lime, or maybe the Thai iced tea. What flavor do you think should win?
It's been 38 years since Boy first asked Mr. Owl how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. And for the past 38 years, Mr. Owl has unflinchingly maintained that it only takes "...a-one ...a-two-hoo! ...a-three." But as we all know, Mr. Owl is a filthy cheater who bites on three.
Tootsie Pops' new "How Many Licks" sweepstakes asks you to submit your own confection calculations. Just visit AskMrOwl.biz and fill out a short entry form with your lick estimate. One grand prize winner will receive $50,000 (and a bonus $5,000 if they guess within 3% of the average licks calculated from all entries combined). Sweeter odds lie in monthly drawings which award five entrants with 27 pounds of assorted Tootsie Roll goodies.
Keep in mind, owls usually only live until 40, so this may be your last chance to prove Mr. Owl wrong before he bites it for the last time. Have any of you (other than Sisqo) conducted the "How Many Licks" experiment?
Ah, the many ways to keep your teeth healthy: Brushing, flossing, and eating gummy bears. That's right. According to an article from this past Sunday's New York Post, a new study from researchers at the University of Washington reveals that the natural sweetener xylitol, which is used in Gummi Bears, may create healthy teeth.
Their suggested prescription? Eat four gummy bears three times a day for six weeks. This will result in a low count of streptococcus mutans, a contributor to tooth decay. But, do not forget to make sure that they are made with xylitol which is also used in chewing gum (Orbit chewing gum and Trident gum). Interestingly, in China, Japan, and South Korea there's a brand of gum named "Xylitol" which contains the magic ingredient that keeps your teeth healthy.
Just when I thought I'd take a break from eating junk food. Gee, are there any other candies that can prevent tooth decay?
I've always had a weird obsession with all things gummy. I was thrilled when my friend returning from Berlin brought me gummibonbons courtesy of Bear's and Friends Fruchtgummi, and told me, 'you must go to Berlin, it's the gummy capital of the world!" Before I knew it, I had entered the magical realm of digital gummy love, complete with sing-a-longs and frolicking gelatin.
Bears and Friends is apparently a revered mecca of gummy-ness in Germany. The website welcomed patrons with dancing bears and a synthesized gospel choir rejoicing gummy... and miraculously the experience got even better. After some translation difficulties, I stumbled across the diversified melange of products, and squealed. My findings:
- Playboys and Playgirls for only 5.90 euros per kilogram. - White Mice, only available in Vanilla and Citrus, obviously - Some variously sized gummies that appear to have the words 'Wine' and 'Bum' printed on them (?) - Some cowboy looking nuns holding produce (???)
NEWTREE is having the ultimate chocolate lover's contest. One winner will receive a bar of chocolate every day for a year! Not only that, but they will get the new iPhone - making it easy to brag to their friends about all the chocolate.
To enter, you need to create a text message short story that includes the names of all of their chocolate bars: PLEASURE, VIGOR, RENEW, REFRESH, FORGIVENESS, SEXY, BLUSH, TRANQUILITY, COCOON, REJOICE and CRAVE. Get the complete details and enter on NEWTREE's site.
Good thing the contest doesn't ask you to pick one of the two prizes. I'm not sure which prize I would be more excited about; it would be a close call!
You can win both, but let us know which prize you'll be more excited about - the techie or the foodie prize.
I never thought I'd come across a candy that didn't sound at least somewhat appetizing. I've heard tell of the vomit flavored jelly beans, but I've never encountered them, so it doesn't quite count. However, this review of Chum Bucket candy from Candy Addict was enough to give me sympathy nausea.
The seafood flavored candy is made by Archie McPhee, whose company mission it must be to create candy that's only fit for gag gifts. I'm sure they don't intend their products for actual human consumption.
I know that I would not ever willingly eat sea food flavored "candy," but I'm glad that some people will for the sake of a candy review. So I say thanks, Candy Addict. How about the rest of you? Would you be willing to try the sea food flavored candy?
Despite the recession, people are buying Jelly Bellys like never before, reports the New York Times. Why? Because they blow other jelly beans out of the water in terms of taste, consumers say. And, as we've already seen, consumers are loathe to give up their little treats in the middle of stressful financial times.
While other candy companies are experiencing flat sales, the Jelly Belly Candy Company is producing 300,000 pounds of beans a day and rising. Sales are up 25 percent since 2006, for a total of $160 million a year. The company continues to expand its reach, with niche products like the "every flavor beans" from Harry Potter (try the dirt, stay away from the ear wax), the JBz, which are like flavored M&Ms, and electrolyte-infused sports beans.
Some marketers wonder if Jelly Bellys increased availability in stores like Wal-Mart will kill their appeal with higher end consumers (I remember when the only place I could find them was at a gourmet store). I personally doubt that any amount of snobbery will keep people away from their chocolate pudding- and cinnamon-flavored treats.
Is a sweet tooth strong enough to withstand the rising prices of basic food necessities, such as milk, eggs, and bread? Apparently so - according to an article from the Associated Press, retail sales in candy have gone up by three percent in the past year. Despite the fact that people are cutting back on driving long distances and buying certain grocery items, they are still willing to pay a premium for candy. Do we have an unhealthy addiction to candy?
Why am I spending more money on candy when I am economizing on just about everything else? It's psychological. Consumer Analysts at the Nielsen Co. explain that the candy business is "recession-proof." Besides having the feel-good factor, candy is easily accessible and cheap. Since people are reducing their shopping trips further from home to save gas, they are ending up at drug stores where there's lots of candy. Chocolate bars are probably one of the cheapest foods that seems to fulfill your appetite and simultaneously put a smile on your face. In fact, during the Great Depression, nickel chocolate bars practically served as meals.
Is there a solution? While it's not a problem for the candy business, an increase in candy consumption cannot be a good thing for our health. Are there ways to encourage people to follow a more nutritious diet during economic recessions? What are your thoughts?
Are you a fan of the Kit Kat candy bar? I must admit to enjoying one occasionally. Well, whether you do or don't like Kit Kats, I think you'll get a kick out if this.
Over at Supersized Meals, you can see, step by step, the making of a giant Kit Kat bar! I mean, seriously, this thing is awesome. If you ever wanted a candy bar that has about 45, 888 calories but still fits in the refrigerator (barely), then this one is for you. Enjoy, 'cause you're gonna need a lot of breaks for this Kit Kat bar.
Jason Kronenwald likes words that begin with the letter "b" - specifically, blondes and bubble gum. Combine your two passions, and what do you get?
Of course! Portraits of iconic blonde women made entirely out of chewed bubble gum. (Why...what were you thinking? Weirdo.) Kroenwald has minions of gum-chewers at his disposal, but says he prefers Trident when it comes to personal chewing. He claims that there are no paints or dyes used, and that "the mixing of color takes place in the mouth during chewing." Hmm...so kinda like Willy Wonka, then?
Strawberry Shortcake, the artificial strawberry-scented ragamuffin of my 80s girlhood, has gotten a makeover. The new Strawberry Shortcake loses the bloomer in favor of mini skirts or strawberry print capris for a look that's less Raggedy Ann, more a less risque Bratz doll. She even packs a cellphone.
But most importantly, the new Strawberry Shortcake and Friends focuses on fruit, not dessert. Old Strawberry Shortcake lived in a shortcake. Now she lives in a strawberry. Owner American Greetings Properties says they're "downplaying" characters that don't stick to the fruit theme as well. What's going to happen to Angel Cake, Ginger Snap and Banana Candy? Is this like the time they Sesame Street decided to make Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food?" Guess nobody wants to be caught getting kids hooked on sweets in the middle of an obesity crisis.
If you're not a big coffee drinker, what do you do for your morning wake-me-up? Would you try energy gummy bears?
I would, but then I start my day with a glass of water and a little bit of coca cola. Apparently these Loud Truck Energy Gummies are like "drinking a can of Red Bull", at least that's what they're saying over at Candy Addict. The energy candy is even sold as an energy supplement, not in the candy aisle, and is not for children. Loud Truck Energy Gummies got a good review from Candy Addict, with a good taste and a good energy boost.
It's a new product, but if you've tried these gummies then please share. Do you think they're as good as Candy Addict claims?
In this New York Times story about energy drinks and their relation to risky behavior behavior among adolescents, one commenter says something rather interesting about "gateway candy." In his opinion, the kids who like the crazy, ultra-hot, ultra-sour candy grow up to be the risk takers and drug addicts, while the sedate chocolate and caramel lovers become the solid citizens. He's kind of joking, but it's kind of true.
In fourth grade, my friend Alex and I would make pilgrimages to the Toot Sweets in Northgate Mall, where I discovered the painful pleasures of holding an Atomic Fireball in my mouth as long as I could, the cinnamon heat filling my sinus cavity and making my eyes water. Not long after I got heavy into Warheads, eating so many the inside of my mouth would peel and I wouldn't be able to eat for days. Then I'd do it all again a few months later. In middle school, my friends and I would actually snort Pixy Stix and Kool Aid powder at parties to get a "sugar high" (incredibly gross, doesn't work).
And yeah, I grew up to be a rock climbing, speeding ticket-getting, "oh, I'm not really worried about malaria" kind of risk taker.
So what about you - what were your favorite candies as kids, and do you think your choices predicted your adult personalities?
A jar of honey can become a sticky mess. Next time you're adding honey to another dish or a mug of tea, use a honey dipper to prevent a thick gooey layer from spreading.
I never thought I'd come across a candy that didn't sound at least somewhat appetizing. I've heard tell of the vomit flavored jelly beans, but I've never encountered them, so it doesn't quite count. However, this 
Strawberry Shortcake, the artificial strawberry-scented ragamuffin of my 80s girlhood, has gotten a makeover. The new Strawberry Shortcake loses the bloomer in favor of mini skirts or strawberry print capris for a look that's less Raggedy Ann, more a less risque Bratz doll. She even packs a cellphone. 
Chocolate-stuffed bananas on the grill
Tyler Florence welcomes new daughter
Beware kids' menus!
