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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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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?

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: Pop Rocks Chocolate Bar

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:03:31 -0700

I am definitely adding this Pop Rocks Chocolate Bar to my list of candy-must-trys. - Junk Food Blog

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.

Our Review of Beatles Rock Band, Clooney Has a Naked Man Fan, and Using Facebook Instead of 911?!

Molly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:17:19 -0700

Beatlemania returns today as The Beatles: Rock Band hits stores, and we're here with GeekSugar's review of the hotly anticipated new game! Plus, watch cute clips of George Clooney's indecent proposal and David Beckham with his family on Ellen. All that plus two Australian girls who got lost and instead of calling the police, they updated their Facebook statuses to get rescued. Check out PopSugar Rush now!

Shirtless Taylor Lautner Plays It Up For the Camera

PopSugarTV — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:02:18 -0700

Taylor Lautner wore a wet t-shirt for a photo shoot on the beach! And later on PopSugar Rush, Billy Ray Cyrus wants Miley to return to the Twitterverse and our editors review Vince Vaughn and Chris Rock's new movies!

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:00:54 -0800

We have four movies hitting theaters this weekend, including The Box, Precious (check out my interview with star Gabby Sidibe), The Men Who Stare at Goats, and A Christmas Carol if you want some early holiday cheer.
Speaking of the holidays, if you're already thinking up presents, I've got suggestions for your mom, dad, and grandma.
In Twilight-related news: I asked you to speculate which New Moon actor would have the biggest post-Twilight career. Plus, Books of Twilight member audreystar had a few words of advice for the Breaking Dawn screenwriter.
I took a peek at two highly anticipated film trailers: Angelina in Salt and a very beefy Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia.
Angelina also popped up on my list of 10 favorite actors with famous parents!
Weezer's new album came out. I gave it my review and watched their performance with Leighton Meester.
Alec Baldwin had a good week: First, he got tapped to host the Oscars alongside Steve Martin, and he's reportedly getting a new love interest on 30 Rock - Julianne Moore!
V premiered, so I asked for your opinion on it - and on these 10 TV shows that transitioned to college.
Don't forget that Sunday is the season finale of Mad Men! But don't be sad, there's always their Office doppelgangers.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Movies, and Source

Link Time!!!

PopSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:42 -0800

Ryan Seacrest shows he has a new best friend - Ryan's Twitter
William Shatner poetically interprets Levi Johnston's tweets - TrèsSugar
Golden Girl Rue McClanahan has been hospitalized - PopEater
Sarah Michelle Gellar introduces Charlotte Prinze - Pink Is the New Blog
Prediciting 2009's Sexiest Man Alive - Lainey Gossip
Adam Lambert didn't stay single for long - D-Listed
Nicole and Keith go for a Sunday stroll - JustJared
Megan Fox looks hot in Rolling Stone outtakes - Egotastic
Hayden Panettiere is spread in Elle - Hollywood Tuna
Eddie Cibrian is romancing someone other than LeAnn - Hollywood Rag
Olivia Munn shows off her dark side - The Superficial
Celebrities that are rocking out with short hair - cityrag
Housewife Kim Zolciak performs Tardy For the Party live - Jezebel

Rob and Kristen Get Intimate, Kim Kardashian Gets Punched, Steve and Alec Take On the Oscars!

Molly — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:30:00 -0800

Robert and Kristen get close for Harper's Bazaar while Kim Kardashian shows off her black eye from last night's charity boxing match! We give our take on Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin hosting the Oscars, and Neil Patrick Harris threatens to leave acting? Plus Taylor Swift looks adorable in her Rock Band ad! Watch PopSugar Rush now!