As in most homes, candy has a very important place in our family life. Whether it is a snack for the kids to take with them to school, or just something to nosh on when there is nothing else to do, for those of us not “health conscious”-candy is what we look for. Over the past few months some really great nosh has made its way into our office ? here are the four we most enjoyed.
Golightly (Hillside Candy, Kof-K parve and dairy) ? a line of sugar-free candy in a variety of flavors and textures. We very much enjoyed the peach and cr?me chews, which had a very smooth taste with very little “stick to the teeth” factor. The same was said of the vanilla caramel, which had a nice flavor without being overwhelming. However, what received the most praise in this office (and in my home) were the sucking candies. We very much enjoyed the chocolate mint (dairy) and the coffee (dairy). At my house though, my kids raved about the lemon ice tea (parve), describing it as a cup of cool ice tea in a candy. The whole line is sugar-free with the candies being sweetened with Splenda (sucralose), and can be found in your local drug store or supermarket.
Zours/Mike and Ike (Just Born OU, parve) ? jellybean-like candy in an assortment of flavors. Many of you are probably familiar with Mike and Ike ? they can be found in the snack aisle of every kosher grocery. What you may not be familiar with are the new flavors now available. We recently tried and loved Buttered Popcorn ? exactly as it sounds ? a real buttered popcorn taste in each bite, and it's parve. Honestly, if you are sitting around and want the taste of buttered popcorn without the hassle of getting out the popper and the mess of melting butter, one of these will satisfy your craving. If you like cherry and cola ? try Cherry Cola ? a cup of soda in every bite. In the new red and white packages, you will find cherry, bubble gum (very authentic taste and smell) and vanilla. As for the Zours ? if you like sour stuff, look no further than the distinctive green packages. A new assortment called Punch Fruitz will be on the shelves in January 2003.
Dubble Bubble (Concord Confections, OU parve) ? bubble gum for everyone. I mean that literally. They come in so many flavors and varieties that there is truly something for everyone. Traditional pink, sour, with sprinkles, in block shapes. Don't want gum ? they have candy stamps and razzles. On a side note ? ever wonder why bubble gum is always pink? Well, according to the experts at Concord Confections, when the first successful piece of bubble gum was finally made, the only color the inventor, Walter Diemer, had left was pink. The color “stuck” and as they say, the rest is history. Dubble Bubble and more are available at your local supermarket or kosher grocery.
Mom-N-Pop (OU, parve and dairy) ? chocolate lollipops. Yes folks, you heard it here. You can now order these great tasting pops for all your fleishig affairs. The parve line began with a selection of six different pops, but they are constantly adding more. Recently they expanded the sports pops to now include soccer, basketball, baseball and football. The pops are made with rich chocolate and have a very good, not-too-sweet flavor. While some of the selections can be found in specialty stores, the best way to order is directly from the company. Mom-N-Pop can be reached at 845-567-0640 By the beginning of 2003 they hope to have a secure server up and running so you will be able to order on the web at www.momnpops.com.
Coming next month ? frozen foods.
