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?
Let it be known that I am a die hard Limited Edition Foods fan. I lived and died by Pepsi Kona, and I essentially redefine myself with each new incarnation of Kit Kat. That said, imagine my excitement when a friend of mine presented me with New Indiana Jones Mint Crisp M&Ms. (While they do not specifically say "Limited Edition", they do imply as much with "Get 'M' Before They're Lost!") One look at these puppies and you know you're in for an epicurean adventure of chilled-monkey-brains-buffet proportions, 'cause these M&Ms are all kinds of divergent from the original.
To wit:
They are shades of green and white
In place of the simple "M", some of the candies have mystical graphics (including a skull, a compass, a temple, and Indy's hat)
Because we as a people don't eat enough french fries, Kandy Kastle has created a candy version of American's favorite vegetable. These fries are made of marshmallow and are sculpted to look like steak fries. To increase the resemblance, they come packaged with a little packet of Kandy Ketchup Sour Candy Gel that looks like ketchup when squirted on these "fries." If you need the experience to be a little bit more complete, the Kandy Kastle company also makes a hamburger out of dyed marshmallow, so you can have your burger and fries and your sugar high, all in one.
OK, so you didn't start making glacé fruits last month, to be tenderly rolled in sugar and wrapped in handmade paper for Mother's Day. And you didn't pre-order the fancy chocolates from the local chocolatier, the coconut truffles that say "I love you mom" in pink-dyed white chocolate. You didn't even remember to go the grocery store to get more butter to make her a batch of oatmeal cookies. Now it's Sunday morning. What to do? Here are a few ideas.
1) Buy her a subscription to Bon Appétit, Gourmet, or Cook's Illustrated Just order online and go to the bookstore to pick up this month's copy and roll it up with a ribbon and a flower. If she's far away, just forward her the confirmation email and an e-card.
2) Take her to the movies and smuggle in several bags of her favorite childhood candy (my mother's partial to Charleston Chews and those jaw-killing Jujubes). Have an illicit movie theater candy picnic.
3) Create an electronic recipe box for her on Epicurious.com - you can compile your favorite recipes and make comments about them. Email her the password.
4) Show up with a shopping bag full of ingredients and suggest you bake a cake together. Eat half the batter raw. Eat the rest while watching cheesy movies on TV.
5) Send her some virtual chocolates at virtualchocolate.com. One caveat: you must follow it up in a few days with some real chocolates. I'm partial to Moonstruck Chocolates these days - check out the friggin cute chocolate ladybugs.
In a flurry of childhood memories last year, I picked up a big box of saltines, jonesing for that salty taste of my youth. Unfortunately, I bought a cheap brand and they tasted like crap. They sat in my cupboard, got stale, and finally, I was determined to make use of them. Half got crumbled into crumbs, and the other half met a sugary fate I found online: saltine candy. I saw this simple recipe everywhere, and quickly became determined to try it.
The result: I baked up a crunchy, tasty candy treat. This is the type of thing you make for company, or if you live with a lot of other people, because it's way too easy to eat too much of it yourself. It's devilish sugary goodness, and so very easy and quick to make. Check out the recipe after the jump.
Mom made you eat your veggies for years, so return the love with vegetarian-friendly gifts this Mother's Day. Whether her diet is strictly vegetarian or just veggie-inclined, check out these lovely presents that will surely brighten her kitchen and her day!
Subscription to Vegetarian Times magazine -- Great recipes and fun eating ideas from a magazine that your mom will love all year long.
Mother's Day petit fours from Figis -- Who am I kidding? These are for any mom -- vegetarian, meat-loving, herbivorous, sweet-toothed... Olive and Rosemary Topiary Trees from Stonewall Kitchen -- A beautiful way to present a practical gift. These will look great anywhere, and come in handy when cooking with fresh herbs.
Bamboo steamer from WokShop -- Great for veggies, and anything else.
Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian from Amazon -- My favorite cookbook. Soon to be your mom's. Bittman offers easy recipes and plenty of suggestions for a well-balanced vegetarian diet.
Soy candles from Welcome-home Candles -- These yummy candles come in great scents, and since they aren't made from beeswax, they'll please even the most conscious vegan. Vegan baking mixes from Goodbaker -- Chocolate cake, oatmeal cookies, fudge frosting, multi-grain muffins...
Anyone have more ideas for the vegetarian Mom? Feel free to share!
I come from a long-line of Irish alcoholics. And although I myself hold my liquor like a ten-year-old, I have a special place in my heart for alcohol-flavored sweet things. Indeed, I have had a torrid love affair with the bourbon ball ever since my mom first let me try one during the holidays when I was a kid.
See, at my house, bourbon (or rum) balls were holiday fare. But I'm told they're traditional at the Kentucky Derby as well. I've never been to Kentucky, and I know next to nothing about the event, which, I'm told, involves race horses and women in elaborate hats.
But in the spirit of this prestigious event, I offer you my family's decidedly un-traditional recipe for bourbon balls.
The words "artisan fudge" have a way of making my mouth water. Add some cute retro packaging, a ribbon and get 'em a little melty, and I'm in heaven.
Betty's Tasty Buttons began as the creator's Grandma Betty's fudge recipe, and has expanded into some gorgeous offerings, including fudge sauce and cajeta, a Mexican slow-cooked caramel made from goat's milk. It's great over ice cream, cakes, or even spooned into coffee.
The fudge flavors, though, are what keep the people coming back for more. With a base of organic sugar, local butter, milk and organic or fairly-traded chocolate, the unique flavors include lava (spicy); lavender mint (lovely and smooth); molasses bourbon (chocolate with sass); and green tea...check out the full list here.
Betty's is based in Philly, and as we know, fudge isn't shipped that well (though I'm sure exceptions could be made for the jarred products). Get 'em while they're melty.
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. 
I come from a long-line of Irish alcoholics. And although I myself hold my liquor like a ten-year-old, I have a special place in my heart for alcohol-flavored sweet things. Indeed, I have had a torrid love affair with the bourbon ball ever since my mom first let me try one during the holidays when I was a kid.
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