Yummy Gummy or Crummy Gummy? Our Official Gummies Taste Test
During the fall we like to talk about soup. And apples. And pumpkins. And Halloween. And when we talk about Halloween, we usually talk about candy. Cult candy, gross candy, candy kids won’t like, candy to drink with beer. And now we’re here to talk about gummy candy.
By now you know the history of the gummy bear, and whether you like the squidgy, gelatinous candies or not, there’s no denying their popularity among children and adults alike. So we got a bunch—bears, rings, frogs, fruits, and more—and went on a bit of a bender. Suffice it to say we’re a bit gummied out. (Is there such a thing as gummy belly?) But trust that our extremely thorough tasting notes will save you the misfortune of a bad gummy bear—or gummy bat—this All Hallow's Eve.
Alex Lau1/10The Best: Market Pantry Gummi Worms
Though "oddly medicinal," tasters found these worms "bright," "zesty," and "what gummies should taste like." A final note: "Don't mess with the worm."
Alex Lau2/10The Best: Haribo Happy Cola Gummi Candy
Whether tasters thought they had a "very authentic classic cola flavor" or remarked that they "didn't taste like coke" at all, these little bottles were favorites among the bunch.
Alex Lau3/10The Best: Sugarfina Champagne Bears
"Sweet without being chemically," with notes of "pink lemonade" and "juice box," everyone adored these pink and white bears ("The color scheme alone gets my vote," one taster remarked).
Alex Lau4/10The Best: Bissinger's Apricot Green Tea Gummy Pandas
"I would eat a lot of these," remarked one taster of the "nice, peachy," and "pleasantly fruity" bears.
Alex Lau5/10The Best: Haribo Gold-Bears Gummi Candy
Even though they "required a lot of chewing," these "classic gummy bears" tasted of "pure childhood and sugar."
Alex Lau6/10The Worst: Haribo Vampire Fruchtgummi mit Lakritz
A "gross" licorice-flavored middle had some people begging off when given the opportunity to sample these otherwise fruity bats. Even the anise fans admitted, in between "very hard to chew" bites, that they are "not for the faint of heart."
Alex Lau7/10The Worst: Acai/Fruits of the Forest Beauty Sweeties
The "floaters" (bits of embedded fruit), "plastic-y" smell, and "cherry cough syrup" flavor was "just not working" for tasters.
Alex Lau8/10The Worst: Haribo Frogs Gummi Candy
While some people found them "adorable," others found these little amphibians "creepy" and their white backing "chalky and awful." Final word? We'd "rather eat real frog."
Alex Lau9/10The Worst: Pomegranate/Raspberry Beauty Sweeties
"If Play-Doh had acid reflux it would taste like this," one person remarked of these heart-shaped gummies. Others just politely declined: "No thanks."
Alex Lau10/10The Worst: Bissinger's Pomegranate White Tea Gummy Pandas
An "eh" indiscernible flavor ("Is this strawberry? Passionfruit?") or a "taste like cat litter smells" put many off of these magenta bears.
