Between meatballs and popcorn, the candy world must have a problem
How wonderful were the days when a candy was simply a sweet temptation, perhaps a sugary madeleine that evoked the innocence of times gone by, even if they were the petrified Rossana biscuits secretly handed out by grandmothers, or the goleador biscuits passed out as change at the bar, automatically becoming common currency.
Something's happening in the candy world, and we're not sure it's a good thing: the pursuit of sensational flavors is taking a strange turn, and if two clues are any indication, it might not be a passing fad. Recently, we've had to take note of two rather bizarre products: first, meatball-flavored lollipops, and now, popcorn gum.
The invasion of ultra-candies
We've already discussed the former: a collaboration between none other than Chupa Chups and Ikea, resulting in a lickable sweet flavored with the DIY furniture giant's famous meatballs. Will it be an effective advertising ploy (which it is, after all)? Is the product even vaguely edible? Did anyone feel the need to prolong the flavor of Swedish meatballs? This strange new product raises all these questions, and the answers to which will likely remain mysteries.
Now it's the turn of another historic brand in the industry, Big Babol, which for its next limited edition has decided (perhaps) to give itself a gourmet edge: a blend of sweet and salty, an illusion of textures that transforms crunch into the symbol of chewy softness, creating popcorn chewing gum. It's a joke, but they've put a bit of their own spin on it: "The combination of aroma and texture makes the taste intriguing from the first moment, offering an unexpected experience, especially for those looking for the next new thing to try." Definitely gourmet concepts.
Of course, the difference between meatballs and popcorn is clear, and popped corn is already accepted in desserts, even starred ones: if it works well in the cream puffs at Da Vittorio's small pastry shop, we'll make it work too. The tradition of making candy with bizarre flavors isn't yet part of our culture, but in the United States there are numerous examples, both among artisanal producers and among the big names in the industry. And if that's where the inspiration comes from, let's get ready for even more extreme flavorings: pickled gherkins, bacon and maple syrup, ketchup. Are we ready?
