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Taste Test: Chuao Firecracker Chocolate Bar

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:15:52 -0700

Last year, I sung the praises of a small chocolatier, Chuao, for its unique and delicious flavor combinations, like strawberry balsamic and spicy Cabernet caramel. I had a chance to try their newest bar, the Firecracker, and it was no exception.The chocolate smelled typical enough - bittersweet and slightly smoky. But once I took a bite, my experience took a turn for the bizarre. First, I tasted creamy dark chocolate then gradually intensifying heat and a tingly, burning sensation in the back of my throat. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, loud crackling and popping, at which point I realized there was not only an explosion of flavor, but also a physical explosion of some kind. To find out what the cracker of the Firecracker was, read more.

Turns out the appropriately-named chocolate bar is made of dark chocolate, enrobed in chipotle chiles, salt, and popping candy - the kind I loved in the third grade. I can only liken the bizarre, oddly addictive experience to going on a roller coaster for the first time and wanting to go again. For those of you who are game (it is not for the unadventurous eater or faint of heart), I encourage you to go for a ride. Does spicy chocolate with popping candy sound like something you'd want to try?

Burning Question: How Does Popping Candy Work?

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, I reviewed a new candy bar that contained popping candy. That got me wondering about popping candy, especially the nostalgic favorite, Pop Rocks.

How do they work, exactly? Hard candy in any form is essentially a sugar-water mixture that's been cooled and hardened. In the case of Pop Rocks, an extra step is required: The sugar-water syrup mixes with pressurized carbon dioxide gas (roughly 600 pounds per square inch!), which forms tiny, pressurized bubbles in the candy. Once it cools, the pressure is released and the candy shatters, but pieces still contain pressurized bubbles. When consumed, these pieces melt in your mouth, releasing the bubbles with a loud snap. That's the sound of the pressurized air being released from the bubble.

Pop Rocks, first sold to the public in 1975, employed cutting-edge candy technology. In fact, the technology that's used to make that carbonated candy crackle is actually a patented process.

Got a burning question? Send us an email.

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Candy Cane Pop Rocks

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:04:17 -0800

Pop Rocks has unveiled its new limited edition candy cane flavor. Each pack will set you back 99 cents and is guaranteed all the explosion power that you get with regular Pop Rocks. Perfect for a last minute stocking stuffer. You can order them here.

Taste Test: "New" Candy

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:00:08 -0700

Updating an image or spinning off of a product is nothing new, but lately it seems like this concept has taken over the candy industry. I recently received a box full of new products that were featured at the National Candy Expo a month ago in Chicago. The majority of items weren't exactly new, but rather re-creations of old products. I selected four - Pop Rocks Chocolate bars, Nerds Giant Chews, Chocolate Pez, and Baskin Robbins Soft Candy - and decided to perform a taste test. Sadly none of the new variations lived up to their established counterparts. To see what I thought of each product, read more.

Pop Rocks Chocolate bars: This oversized bar is described as "real milk chocolate with a kick." At first the chocolate bar tastes like any normal krispy-style chocolate bar. However, the krispies explode in your mouth like pop rocks. The chocolate is mediocore and the sensation interesting, but I wasn't hungry for more.

Nerds Giant Chews: These giant nerds (they're the size of peanut M&Ms) have a bumpy, crunchy shell and soft chewy center. They taste exactly like the miniature version. Eating one is the equivalent of tossing an entire handful of Nerds into your mouth.

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Chocolate Pez: Why Pez felt they needed to expand into artificial chocolate-flavored candies is beyond me. These are chalky and leave a sour aftertaste in the mouth.

Baskin Robbins Soft Candy: With their sweet-minty scent, I was certain these chewy candies were going to be the best of the bunch. However they were disappointing and tasted fake. The best thing about them was the smell.

So has anyone else tasted any of these new candy formulas? What did you think of them?

Yummy Link: Soda Can Fizzy Candy

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:09 -0700

Jones Soda Co. has a new line of carbonated candy, but you can find something similar at the Dollar Store. Check out this review of Soda Can Fizzy Candy - they'd make a great decorative touch at a kid's party or a themed party. - Candyblog

Yummy Links: From Peanut Butter Bacon Pie to Alton Brown

partysugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:50:08 -0700

Must make: frozen peanut butter pie with candied bacon. - Gourmet
Find out which cheap olive oils taste good.- Serious Eats
Learn the basic technique for teriyaki chicken. - Chow
Erik Trinidad teaches Nightline how to make fancy fast food. - Eat Me Daily
An inside look at the ultimate New York City pop-up event. - The Epi-Log
Who knew Tom Colicchio had so many lookalikes? - Eater
Madonna is "not a cheese person." - Grub Street
Alton Brown disses his fellow Food Network chefs. - Food Network Humor

Taste Test : "New" Pop Rocks, Nerds, Pez, and Baskin Robbins Candies

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:35:21 -0700

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M&M's: Can You Sort the Myths From the Facts?

YumSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:50:21 -0700

If you've taken part in the Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act, you may have recently popped a few M&M's. These storied sweet treats come with no shortage of colorful tales: each shade of the candy has developed its own reputation- with plenty of rock and roll mixed in. Can you crack the myths on these coated chocolates? There's only one way to find out.

Source: Flickr User FlyNutAA

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Which Candy Would You Have Chosen?

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:15:31 -0700

In case you haven't heard, we have a bit of a candy problem here at the Sugar HQ. Yesterday Brian walked in with a bajillion pound box of candy and, with wide eyed enthusiasm, displayed his new finds on the kitchen table. I'm not one to turn down candy, but even I was a little overwhelmed. In the end I chose something called "Kits" (a taffy like candy) and a Blow Pop for later. How about you, what would you have chosen?

Seven Ways to Enjoy Strawberries

YumSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:30:02 -0700

Strawberries are in season, and every time I pop one of the candy-sweet berries into my mouth, I'm reminded why people savor in-season fruit so much. If you aren't eating strawberries right now, I don't know what you're waiting for. They are a great addition to salads, brunch, cocktails, and, of course, desserts. I even recently enjoyed a pizza topped with strawberries and feta. Here are seven delicious ways to enjoy strawberries.

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