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There are times when I try a new candy that contains an interesting and different combination, like blueberries, tart buttermilk and white chocolate, and really, really liked it.  Some combos don’t go so well.  This would be one of them.

I opened this bag during a class poster presentation, and offered them to a few friends.  I think they’re still friends, but they’re a little suspicious of me now.  These candies have three layers.  The top and bottom are hard, translucent and pink, while the middle layer is a grainy, darker red.  For the first second on the taste buds, these are okay, with a candy strawberry flavor.

That doesn’t last long.

A moment later, the xylitol kicks in.  This normally gives candies a cool mouth – a lot of gums use xylitol for the cooling effect.  In this, it accentuated the cough-drop taste.  The middle starts to dissolve, releasing grainy chunks, and a very odd, savory flavor.  A quick look at the ingredients reveals the presence of herbs: peppermint, fennel and plantain.  Yeah.

I can’t really describe how gross these were, other than to say that I don’t think anyone finished theirs, and these are not large candies.  The very sweet, bubble-gum strawberry and the no sweetness, serious herbs was entirely unpleasant.  This must be my week for extremes.  My last review gave a rarely seen 10.  This one hands out an even more rarely seen 1, the bottom of the barrel.

SCORE: 1 out of 10

Purchased at: Great Wall

Price: 1.49